1
GREENWICH, CT – PRESENT DAY
“Once the properties are sold and the possessions liquidated, there should be a small amount left. But certainly nothing like you’ve been accustomed to, I’m afraid.” Mr. Banderson’s expression held both a note of finality and pity as he looked across the desk. “I know this isn’t what you were expecting.”
Lily Chastain fought against the urge to throw up. What she’d been expecting was that her father and mother would come home from their latest trip, brimming with tales of adventure. That the two of them would grow old together. That they’d share the joy of her marriage and be there for her children when the time came. That everything would be as perfect as she’d dreamed it would be.
But none of that was going to come true now. She reached for Justin’s hand, needing reassurance, but he’d risen from his chair, his face contorted with anger. “What do you mean there’s nothing left? Lily’s parents were worth a fortune. Everyone knows that.”
She twisted the sparkling engagement ring on her finger, her stomach taking a polar plunge. She’d always known that Justincared about the fact that she’d come from good breeding, but she’d never thought that it had been about money.
“It’ll be okay,” she whispered, finding it odd to be comforting him. But it didn’t matter; as far as he was concerned she might as well have not been in the room.
“What the hell happened?” he asked the lawyer, grinding out the words.
“I’m afraid I don’t know. Thomas never really confided in me. I just handled contracts and so forth when he needed me to.” Mr. Banderson paused, his attention shifting to Lily. “I’m so sorry, Lily. I swear to you, I had no idea. Your father always invested in property. I’m guessing when the bubble burst, he got hit hard.”
Lily nodded, still trying to make sense of everything Mr. Banderson was telling her. One week ago, she’d received the news that her parents’ sailboat had capsized during a freak storm in the Aegean Sea. There’d been no survivors.
“I don’t care about the money,” she said. “It’s nothing. I just want my parents back.” Tears filled her eyes, and again she turned to reach for Justin. But instead, he stepped back, shaking his head.
“I’m sorry, Lil. Really I am. But I can’t do this. Not now.”
“But Justin, I…” She sucked in a ragged breath, searching for something of the man she’d loved in the stranger standing before her.
“Look, I’ve been fighting to get ahead my whole life. And I’m certainly not ready to be saddled with your parents’ debt.”
Lily swallowed, the panic rising in her chest. “But you heard Mr. Banderson. Once everything is sold, the debts should be covered.”
“Even if that’s so, there won’t be anything left.”
She struggled to breathe, to keep herself calm. She’d been so sure that Justin hadn’t been like the others, but apparently she’dbeen wrong. “So you’re saying that you were only marrying me for my money?”
He at least had the decency to flinch, but the resolve in his eyes didn’t lessen. “I’m saying that circumstances have changed. Of course I care about you. But not enough to bind myself into all of this.” He waved at the desk and the papers Mr. Banderson had been consulting.
“I see.” Lily clenched her fists, trying to maintain a calm she didn’t feel. How had everything gone so wrong so quickly? With shaking fingers, she slid the ring off her finger. “Then I guess I won’t be needing this.”
She held it out to him, praying that somehow this horrible nightmare would end. That none of it would turn out to be real. But Justin took the ring with a small shrug, then turned and strode from the office.
For a moment, she stood frozen, staring at the chair he’d just vacated, emotion threatening to swamp her. How could she have been so blind?
“Lily, I know this is awful, but…” Mr. Banderson trailed off, sounding as if he wished he could follow Justin. People were like that. Quick to the party, but running from disaster. And that’s what her life was now. A disaster. No money. No parents. No fiancé.
She shook her head, holding up a hand, pleased to see that it wasn’t shaking. “Don’t. I can’t handle any more sympathy. I appreciate your giving me the truth. And I’ll probably want to talk to you later about how to best handle everything. But for now I think I just need to get out of here.”
He nodded, his expression now flooded with relief. “Are you sure you don’t want me to call someone?”
“And just who would that be, Mr. Banderson?” Lily felt the tears again. “Thank you. I’ll do fine on my own.” She forced a smile and then walked out of the office and through the foyerinto the hallway, her whole body shaking as she slid down to the floor.
What in hell was she going to do now?
“I wasn’t sure you’d be up for a visit,” Valerie Robinson said as she walked into Lily’s parents’ living room and took a seat on the sofa.
“You’re not a visitor.” Lily shook her head, trying for a smile. “You’re family. Mother would haunt me if I treated you any differently.” The words hurt, but she forced herself to hold on to the tremulous smile. There was nothing to be gained in losing it now. “Anyway, I’m glad you’re here.”
“I came as soon as I heard the news.” Word traveled quickly in a small town like Greenwich. Her parents’ deaths and the news of their insolvency had made all the papers. Even theNew York Times. Watching the mighty fall was a blood sport in their circle. Particularly when the story involved tragedy and, if one counted Justin’s defection, betrayal.
“It’s been kind of a nightmare around here. I thought things were bad enough with the funeral. But now, the phone rings constantly. And it’s either the press or creditors. The sharks are circling.”
