Chapter 11 - THE SECRET ELEANOR KEPT
Eleanor arrived at my studio two weeks later.
She looked smaller without her expensive coat and carefully arranged hair.
I almost didn't recognize her.
“Serena.”
I looked up.
“What do you want?”
She sat without being invited.
For a moment, she studied the drawings on my desk.
Then she whispered:
“I knew about Camille.”
I stared.
“I know.”
Her eyes filled.
“I didn't know about the company.”
I said nothing.
She continued.
“Hudson told me you were controlling everything. That you wouldn't let him make decisions.”
I looked at her.
“And you believed him.”
She nodded.
“He's my son.”
I leaned back.
“That explains why you wanted to believe him. It doesn't excuse what you did.”
She began crying.
“I thought the baby would make him happy.”
I stared.
“What about me?”
Eleanor looked up.
I continued.
“Did you ever think about what it would do to me?”
She opened her mouth.
Then closed it.
For the first time, Eleanor Vale had no answer.
I looked toward the window.
“You helped him humiliate me.”
She nodded.
“Yes.”
I took a breath.
“I don't know whether I'll ever forgive you.”
She wiped her eyes.
“I understand.”
I studied her.
Then said:
“I hope you learn that loving your son doesn't mean helping him hurt other people.”
She stood slowly.
At the door, she turned.
“Serena?”
I looked up.
“You deserved better.”
I nodded.
May you like
“Yes.”
Then returned to my drawings.
