ERLAND

Betsy was waiting for me at the airport when I arrived. Since I didn't have any bags, we went straight for her car. A blast of frigid air hit us, chilling my neck, face, and whatever else I'd left uncovered. Kat's voice, warning me to wear more than a hoodie, rang in my ears.

"You have a good flight?" Betsy turned the key in the engine.

I looked over my shoulder to help her check for any oncoming traffic. "It was fine." I chuckled. "I survived."

She backed out of the parking and wove her way out of the airport traffic. Even though this was my second flight by myself, I surprised myself by the jolt of anxiety that shot through me once the wheels touched down in Pennsylvania. Maybe it was the slimy chicken they served on the flight.

"How's Mom?"

Betsy shot me a smile. "Best see for yourself when we get there."

I wanted to convince her to tell me, but if she was keeping silent, maybe it was for a reason. If it was something bad, she would've told Kat, right?

We seemed to pass a thousand streetlights before reaching the valet entrance to Betsy's apartment. I hopped out of the car in time to see Betsy hand the keys to a valet and enter the lobby. The hotel's grand lobby reflected the wealth I knew she had—at least she didn't boast like Rick.

How many times had Kat and I seen him pull up to Wayward in the latest Tesla? Kat hadn't gone up to the top floor since she'd been kicked out of the Committee, but I sneaked a peek when Stephanie was out getting coffee. The clean, modern lines were overtaken by gaudy paintings and chandeliers.

On the twelfth floor, Betsy stepped out of the elevator and fished her keys out of her purse. I followed her inside.

The apartment was a reflection of Rick's changes to Wayward, but Betsy had left her touch in every corner. The kitchen was outfitted with orange and red daisies, matching towels, and fall decorations like pumpkins and wreaths. My eyes fell to the oven, where a golden-brown turkey seemed ready to eat.

"Camille's on the balcony." Betsy opened the oven, and the scent the poured out made my mouth water. "I'll call you back in when everything's ready."

I nodded and turned to the far end of the spacious room, feeling my pace quicken as I reached the doors to the balcony.

There, the slim outline of my mother was silhouetted by the city lights. I was at her side in a moment and her arms were around me, squeezing me tight. So tight I couldn't breathe, but at least she had the strength now than when she was in a coma.

Hot tears escaped my eyes and I heard Mom's voice, low and soothing, "What's wrong, honey?"

I shook my head, brushing them away with the back of my hand. "I—I'm so sorry, Mom, about the accident."

Her eyes widened. "Erland, it—"

"I know you're gonna say it's not my fault, but it is. I shouldn't have distracted you when we were getting on the highway." How many times had I relived the moment in my head, all the mistakes, all the terrible guilt that keeps falling back on my shoulders?

Mom's hands went around my cheeks, forcing my gaze to her. "Listen," she said. "It wasn't your fault. It was an accident." She brushed the hair out of my eyes and kissed my forehead. "I'm grateful I'm alive," she said. "It means God's not done with me yet, nor with you."

Her words were soothing, peaceful, and I found myself almost collected.

"I'm glad you're still here, Mom," I said, hugging her before sitting in the chair across from her. "And Kat is too. She would be here, but—"

"She has a lot to take care of down in Alabama, I imagine," Mom said. She sighed. "And a lot of it would be my fault."

I looked at her. "What do you mean?"

She sighed again. The golden light that had cast her face in a healthy glow now seemed to highlight the angle of her cheekbones and the grim set of her lips. "I worked with the lawyer Nick sent to get Katherine her shares. Not that I wanted her to sign them away in four years, but I was hoping it might light a fire under her to get moving." She fixed her gaze on the floor. "When she got the job at Wayward in August, I thought that might be the answer to my prayer."

I studied her expression. "Kat hasn't told you yet, has she?"

Mom's eyes shot up to meet mine, questioning.

I took a breath. "She lost her shares, Mom. Almost two weeks ago now. She had a great business plan, but the Committee wouldn't take it."

The transformation was immediate. Shock, followed by confusion—then rage. Her frame shook, hands curling into fists.

I got up out of my chair to soothe her, chancing a glance into Betsy's apartment—then paused. Betsy was at the door, greeting a young pregnant woman. When she removed her beanie, her red hair fell about her shoulders. I gasped.

Victoria.

Before I could say anything, I found myself inside the apartment, Mom hot on my heels, rolling her wheelchair behind me, but we both froze when Victoria Pitcher's gaze turned our way.

Her face went white. "Camille," she breathed. "Erland..."

"You," I hissed. "What are you doing here?"

* * * 

NICK

To his credit, my brother remembered that I liked pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving. We ate in relative silence, but for Jessie's sweet comments about how good the food was. By the time she crashed on the couch and Shane carried her to the guest room, I had finished my second drink and poured my third. Whiskey.

"You've had enough," Shane said when he returned. Even though his brow was knit in annoyance, he didn't reach for the bottle on the table. "You tried your best for Katherine, Nick. You need to focus on what's important."

I scoffed. "What, my marriage?"

He let out a breath. "Tori's called me and I think you should reach out to her. She needs you."

Angry fire burst through me. "Needs me? Not the rich man who pays for her services?"

Shane made a face. "Really, Nick—"

"Would you by saying the same if it was Mary?"

As soon as I said it, I knew I should've taken it back. The look of pain that crossed Shane's features at the mention of his wife—and knowing the blooming relationship they shared even in the worst of her treatments only made the comparison worse. I shook my head, trying to dispel the fogginess the liquor had settled over my thoughts.

"Do you have evidence?" He said quietly.

I told him about the doctor's note, her arrangement with Octavia and Chase to go to Pennsylvania, and I was just about to tell him about her ludicrous excuse when my phone rang. The screen lit up with her name.

Shane looked at the phone, then at me. "Is it possible that this is circumstantial, Nick? Have you two ever sat down to talk about having kids?"

I downed the last of my drink and glared at him. "I know what I saw."

Never mind that we'd started our marriage with a strict no-kids policy. Had that been her idea or mine?

Whatever.

I answered the call and pulled the phone to my ear. "What?"

"Nick." Tori's voice came out shaky, but the excitement was unmistakeable in her voice. "How are you—I didn't think—we need to talk—"

"I called you for one reason, Victoria," I snapped. "Tell me the truth."

Her voice cut off, and all I heard was my heartbeat drumming in my ears. So loud I almost didn't catch her words. "I told you already. I was going to Pennsylvania for infertility treatment—I know you wanted kids..."

"Don't blame this on me." I shouldered the phone, pouring another drink. Shane stared at me from across the table. "You don't have to lie about your affair anymore."

"But I'm not—" Tori cut off, taking a shaking breath. "I'm not having an affair. I should've told you from the beginning, but you wouldn't have accepted Octavia's offer to pay for the treatments if you had known. I struck a deal with her... I'm sorry."

I downed another drink, blinking furiously. Heat burned in my face, and if I wasn't for Shane sitting across from my, I might have flipped the table already.

Tori went on. "We never talked about it," she said, "but I know what you wanted. How could I give you a son if I was infertile? I—"

"Was?" The word was like a punch to my gut, and all at once, I tasted bile in my throat.

Tori let out a nervous laugh. "I'm pregnant, Nick."

To my surprise, my first response was to laugh. "Serves you right."

"It's yours—"

"No," I spat. "Don't start spinning lies to me, Victoria. That bastard has to be Chase's." I let out another bark of laughter. "And don't worry, I'll make sure to tell him myself at the next board meeting."

I hung up the phone and slammed it on the table. My hands fumbled for another drink, but Shane pulled the bottle from my grasp.

"That's enough, Nick."

His gaze met mine, and I could see the emotions churning, the anger, disgust, concern, and frustration. I know what I said was awful, but I couldn't hold it back. Not to this woman I'd trusted, the one I'd given up so much for. I got to my feet, clutching the chair for support, and started for the stairs.

I could feel Shane's gaze on me as I walked, so before I left the dining room, I turned. "Don't worry, I won't talk to Chase."

That seemed to relax my brother somewhat, and he nodded. "Good night. We'll talk more tomorrow."

I smiled, happy that I had gained his confidence. Since he believed me, at least he won't go meddling in my business anymore. That gave me all the time in the world to destroy the woman who tore my heart out. Starting with her lover, Mr. Richard Chase. 

* * * 

ERLAND

The first thing I felt when Tori hung up the phone was shame.

"You really didn't have to put it on speaker..." I said, face burning.

Tori raised her chin, eyes bright with unshed tears. "Would you have believed me otherwise?"

Her words sent another wave of shame over me, because no, I wouldn't have.

Betsy cleared her throat. "This would be my fault," she said.

Then she explained to Tori how she was Katherine's best friend. How she tracked Tori down that one night at the hotel because she was after her husband, Rick. Then, how she befriended her, even knowing who she was to Katherine.

Betsy looked at me and Mom. "Please don't tell Kat," she said. "Let it come from me."

Mom agreed, but I stayed silent. There were enough secrets to go around making promises. If Kat asked me, I'd tell her the truth. Until then, I could manage to keep my mouth shut. Maybe.

Betsy set out Thanksgiving dinner, which was as awkward as expected. Mom was far more open, even managing to get a few laughs out of Betsy and Tori. It was strange how much five years had changed Tori—her features remained the same, but the look in her eyes wasn't the haughty, icy look she'd given me before when I was just a kid. She even tried to talk to my once.

I blinked, face burning. "W-what?" I tried to recall the last thing she'd said in the conversation, but I had been lost in thought.

Tori gave a weak smile. "You've grown a lot since I last saw you," she said.

"You, too," I said, without thinking. "I mean, you act different—"

I swiftly tried to correct my meaning, but Tori laughed. She put a hand on her belly. "I would say it's obvious now, right?" She glanced at Betsy. "Can you believe it's only four months?"

My eyes widened. "Do you have twins?"

She nodded. "Looks like it. For now, at least."

Before I could say more, my phone buzzed. Katherine.

Kat: How's it going in PA?

Fine, I texted back. Then, I asked her about her night. She'd mentioned Matthew had invited her to Thanksgiving dinner.

Kat: Fine.

I stifled a laugh. If her night has been anything like mine, it would be one she wouldn't forget for a long time. Knowing Kat, I wouldn't be surprised if that were true.