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The sky outside the windows steadily grows darker and soon, it’s time to head out to the charity event. Feeling unsure, I decide to call Heather.
Grabbing my new phone, I give her a call.
“Why are you calling me when we’re both at home,” she says in an amused tone. “Why not come downstairs and have a cup of coffee with me?”
“My dress is too big for me to walk around in it,” I say, glancing toward the mirror. “And it’s almost time for me to leave for the party. If I’m late, it’ll only piss off Dad. Do you think you could come upstairs and help me?”
“Yeah, hang on. I’ll be right there.”
Heather arrives in my room within a few minutes.
“What do you think?” I ask nervously.
“Let me see,” she says, gesturing at me to twirl.
Feeling like a kid, I gather a handful of the skirt and spin around.
“You’re as beautiful as always,” Heather says, finally smiling at me. “More than that, you’re being strong. It’s not easy to recover from heartbreak but you’re doing so well.” Moving closer, she gives me a tight hug. “You must never forget how much we all love—” Her words fail her as she suddenly chokes.
I pat her back. “I know,” I say gently. “I don’t say this often but I love you too. There’s no one in the world I love as much as you and Dad.”
Releasing me, she steps away, staring at me with tear-filled eyes. “This is the girl I used to know,” she says through a hiccupping cough. “Jake turned you into someone you’re not. I hated the way he controlled you and drove you away from us. I’m glad he’s out of your life so we can have our Rory back with us again.”
“Don’t blame him,” I say in a grim tone. “It’s not his fault I behaved so arrogantly. It was my pride and ego that turned me into a jerk. I thought no one else mattered but him.”
A knock sounds at the door. “Are you ready to go, sweetheart?” Dad’s voice filters into the room.
“Yup! Rory’s ready to go. Just come in and have a look at your beautiful daughter,” Heather shouts, rushing to open the door.
Dad appears at the threshold. Dressed in a black tux that stretches around his middle, he looks ready to impress his backers at the party.
His mouth parts as he takes me in. He’s not as expressive as Heather about his feelings but he can’t hide the tears that fill his eyes. He clears his throat loudly and nods.
“Well?” Heather urges. “What do you think?”
“Yes, well, errr...” He mumbles, clearing his throat again. “You look beautiful, sweetheart.” Moving closer, he leans in and lightly kisses my cheek.
Heather drapes a shawl around my bony shoulders, effectively concealing them. Once she’s done, Dad leads the way down the hallway and along the staircase until we’re both standing at the front entrance.
“It’s chilly tonight,” he says, rubbing his palms together. “Are you warm enough, sweetheart?”
“Yeah, I’m fine.”
“It’ll be warm once we’re in the car and inside Richmond Manor.”
“Dad, stop worrying about me,” I say, tugging at his elbow. “This isn’t the first political event I’m accompanying you to. I’ll be fine on my own and if I don’t like it there, I’ll quietly walk out and take an Uber home.”
A black Mercedes comes to a stop in front of the house.
“There’s no need to call an Uber,” he says, leading me down the short flight of stairs to reach the car. “Just ask John to drive you home.”
Dad’s chauffeur opens the back passenger door for us. Dad helps me climb in and then, gets in.
I look out through the tinted windows of the car. As the street passes by, I catch glimpses of the familiar houses that dot our neighborhood.
Soon, we’re driving through the town’s center.
“Where exactly do the Richmonds live?” I ask.
