“Is something funny, Felicity?”
“Just your questions. Can I get back to writing now?”
I didn’t wait for his reply. Instead, I tried to focus, ignoring how hard it was to write when my hand shook more each day.
This place was making me worse, not better.
CHAPTER TWENTY
I’m Not Crazy
Theo
Tomorrow would make three weeks since Felicity had returned to Crossroads. I hoped to get back to Los Angeles by early tomorrow morning to see her. They had a rule that all new or returning patients had to wait three weeks before leaving or having a guest.
At first I’d tried not to think about it or her to stop myself from going crazy. I cared more now than I had before, which was why I found myself at the New York State Executive Mansion to meet Governor Daniel Ford. He was hosting a donors’ event while his daughter was suffering without him. He was trying to raise money since he was hoping to run for president next year. The fact I had to pay to listen to this guy answer questions from other wealthy people who hoped he shared common interests with was painful just to think about.
“Mr. Darcy.” A slim man with salt-and-pepper hair stepped forward, hands outstretched. Beside him was a woman with short blonde hair, dressed in pink with pearls around her neck. Similar to the two daughters beside her, both of them looked just like their father, dark hair and blue eyes. They were all picture perfect.
“Thank you for having me, Governor. I’m sorry I’m so late.” I forced a smile, shaking his hand.
“Nonsense. Everyone is just making small talk. The other guests are already in the parlor.” His wife smiled and pointed the way. Following them, I noticed there were no pictures of Felicity in the house. There were dozens of them displayed everywhere, on vacations, with celebrities, and even in Times Square at New Years. Felicity had been erased. It was even worse than if she were dead. It was like she’d never existed to them.
“Mr. Darcy?” The mayor shook my hand. “Welcome back to New York.”
“Thank you. It’s exactly how I remembered.” Filled with rats.
The mayor gave a loud, bogus, and annoying laugh, still holding on to my hand. “Last time you where here your company threw one of the biggest benefit concerts the city had ever seen. Tourists flew in from every corner of the globe. It was like New Years all over again.”
“I’m guessing you’re hoping it will happen again,” I said, taking a seat at the dining table.
“A mayor can dream.”
“Sorry, mayor, nothing is in the works yet. I’m here for the governor.”
There were quite a few people already here as well, but I didn’t care. My main focus was them, the happy-go-lucky, all-American Ford family.
“As you all know, I, with the support of my loving family, and hopefully your support as well, hope to be your president this time next year.” Daniel stood up in front of the fireplace, holding a glass of champagne. “
Not a chance in hell.
“I must thank my wife and daughters, who have filled me with so much pride—”
“Governor Ford, aren’t you missing a daughter?” I questioned, taking a glass of champagne from the server’s tray.
“I’m sorry—”
“You first daughter, Felicity.” I smiled before drinking. His eyes widened for a second, as did his wife’s.
“You have another daughter?” someone asked.
He nodded. “Yes, Felicity, with my first wife who, as you know, died sixteen years ago. She’s somewhere in Los Angeles now, trying to become an actress. She wants to do it all on her own—”
“Actually,” I cut through his bullshit, “she’s a dancer. One of my company’s dancers. She opened at my entertainment gala two weeks ago. It was amazing. In fact, she’s the talk of the west. I’m surprised you haven’t gone to see her yet.”
“Sadly, the governor has been busy, but we are all so proud of her.” His wife smiled brightly beside him. “Honestly, she has so much talent. We hope she eventually comes back home. Mr. Rogers, your son is also in California, right?”
I didn’t say anything as they quickly deflected. Governor Ford’s eyes met mine, and I drank the rest of the champagne, rising to my feet, knowing from how his nose flared and how tense his fists were that he would follow me out.
“Thank you,” I said to the maid, who opened the front door for me.
“Mr. Darcy, you only just arrived,” he said, standing at the doorway behind me.
“I came to see what type of man you are, and I saw. Why stay any longer?”
“I’m not sure what you think you know—”