“Sounds rather exhausting,” Daniel said as I sipped my scotch.
“Why don’t you just tell your father what happened?”
“Can you imagine his reaction? Plus, I am not sure I can trust him,” I said. “I can’t trust anyone,” I added.
“I hired the investigator like you asked,” Daniel said. “We should have some information soon.”
“Thank you,” I sighed. “I already have enough on my plate without worrying about this too.”
“I can’t believe you took the Avery case,” Daniel said.
“Why not?” I mumbled.
“Because you are a very practical man,” he said. “You know how hard it is to win this case. I didn’t expect you to take on a case so weak. It’s unlike you.”
It was unlike me. I would never have done it had it not been for that minx who had talked me into it. Not that I regretted it.
“It’s good publicity,” I lied. “People will feel warmer towards our firm, knowing that we are fighting for the poor.”
“That is also unlike you,” he said. “Since when have you concerned yourself with things like that?”
I didn’t reply, my thoughts distracted by a certain someone who now lived in my mind at all times.
“Are you going to tell me?” Daniel asked after a few minutes of silence.
“What?” I asked.
“What’s bothering you?” he pressed.
I looked at him, slowly blowing smoke out of my mouth. Daniel had been there for me through it all. Through every blackmail attempt and every misery that Stella inflicted on me, he had supported me. Even as he asked me to leave her, he never left me. If he hadn’t been there, I might just have gone crazy.
“Hillary,” I finally said. “I think I love her.”
“Well, that’s not good,” he said.
“I know you’ve warned me,” I said. “And you think she is some manipulative—”
“I still think that,” Andrew interrupted. “Think about it. The only reason she is interested in you is because of your money and power. That is all women like her ever want. The moment you stopped showing interested, she went after Jack. Can’t you see what is going on?”
“She isn’t like that,” I protested. “She can’t be like that. She is doing it because she is hurt. Look what I did. I led her on, and now I am with Stella. She must think I am a horrible monster. Maybe I should tell her—”
“And then what?” he asked. “Gale, this is ridiculous. You can’t trust anyone with this news. Can you imagine the consequences if this gets out? Plus, if Stella finds out that you told Hillary, she is going to reveal everything. All that evidence that she has would ruin the lives of so many people. I always thought your judgment was better than this.”
“Then what do I do about Stella?” I asked. “I can’t spend my life being her slave.”
“Just go along with it for now,” Daniel said. “We will figure something out. I am here for you every single step of the way. Okay?”
“Okay,” I said. “Thank you, Daniel. I don’t know what I would do without you.”
