“What?” she said, but her heart was already sinking.
“I just got a call from George’s lawyer. He’s in jail for assaulting somebody at a hospital. He’s saying it was you.”
“Libby…” So the Pryce family had decided not to let it go. It might not have been their decision. Justin must’ve been furious at the incident marring what was supposed to be one of the most joyous moments in his and Vanessa’s life.
“It’s a mistake, right? George would never do such a thing. Can you call the police and tell them?”
Sophia glanced down. Bruises bloomed on her wrists like ugly flowers. “I’m sorry, Libby, but it’s true. He did attack me.”
“What?” That single syllable, whispered, so full of tremor and confusion… It felt like it was going to change her life.
Sophia rubbed her forehead. “Libby… He…attacked me at the hospital.” She didn’t mention him being one of her stalkers. It was already bad enough.
“But why? Did you say something to him?”
“No!” Sophia bit her lower lip. “It…wasn’t the first time he’d tried to hurt me.”
“What are you talking about?”
“He attacked me before. In Sea—”
“Sophia, no! No way!”
“Libby, listen to me. The real reason I had to leave Seattle in such a hurry was George. He…” Sophia looked for words to soften the blow, but there was nothing she could do. “He tried to rape me.”
“No…no…” Libby sobbed. “You have to be mistaken.”
Sophia laughed hollowly. “I’m really sorry…but there’s no mistake. I managed to get away by hitting him on the head. But otherwise…” Sophia swallowed. She didn’t have to finish.
“Why didn’t you say something?”
“I just…couldn’t. I didn’t know how to tell you.”
“What am I going to do?”
“Libby, I don’t… I guess just…leave it up to his lawyer.” Sophia hesitated. “I’m sorry.”
“Why are you sorry? My brother tried to…hurt you.” Libby cried harder. “I can’t believe this. I had no idea.”
Sophia closed her eyes as her friend’s sobs rang in her ear. She’d been deluding herself. The real reason she hadn’t said a word wasn’t because she didn’t know how. Seeing her friend hurt felt terrible, and there wasn’t a thing she could do to lessen Libby’s pain.
She let the tears fall as her heart ached all over again.
* * *
“Well, well. Who would’ve thought?” Ceinlys’s droll voice came from the office door.
Dane glanced at her. “You don’t have an appointment.”
“I’m your mother.”
He should toss her out. He never allowed people to drop by unannounced. On the other hand, this was a special case; she might have some news about Sophia.
It had been two weeks. Sophia had cut all communication with him, and every day something inside him withered a little bit more.
“I have to admire your restraint.” Ceinlys took a seat. “Mark made a national spectacle of himself to woo Hilary. Iain bribed André from Éternité for a chance to talk to Jane. Shane apparently had some sort of physical altercation with Ginger’s brother to win her back—although I’m not quite clear on how that proved his love for her. But you! I understand you’ve made hundreds of millions more since Vanessa had her baby.”
“You understood wrong. Sixty-two million,” he said, hating her presence and blithe tone.
Ignoring him, she crossed her legs. “During the welcome home dinner for Shane—which you missed—Vanessa said that Shane was the most perfect of my sons. Apparently you, Iain and Mark were practice tries.” Amusement lit her eyes. “But you proved her wrong. You are the most perfect one.”
He ground his teeth. “Would you prefer that I drown myself in scotch? I have people depending on me. Like the employees you just passed by when you invaded my office so rudely.”
He rose and walked around the desk to kick her out. His mother had worn out her welcome the moment she’d opened the door. His knees popped and ached, abused from miles and miles of running every night. He should let them rest and heal, but he couldn’t stop. It was that or drinking, and he didn’t think Sophia would approve of him getting shit-faced.
Or kicking his mother out.
Sighing, he rubbed his face. “You need to go. I have an appointment.”
Ceinlys stood and put her hands on his cheeks. “You have to take better care of yourself. You think you can pretend, fake your way through this, but I can see what’s happening. You’ve lost weight. Your complexion’s awful. Are you sleeping at night?”