I nodded, my fingers tapping on the bed.
“I came today to tell you that I didn’t deserve you, Maggie. I see that now. I should have tried to understand you better, seen things from your side rather than taking hers.”
“It’s not your fault, Kyle. It’s just the way you are. Too good to believe that such horrible things exist. It’s easier to believe I’m a spoiled, self-centered, bad girl than to believe a mother can intentionally fuck up her daughter that bad.”
“I’m sorry. I know it’s too late, but I really am sorry.”
“Thanks,” I replied, my voice thick with emotion. “It means a lot to me.”
He stared at me for a few moments, his expression an unspoken question, and then he rose, putting his paper plate away. “Just know that I’ll always love you, and if you ever need me for anything, I’ll always be there for you.” He bent, casting a long shadow over me, and kissed me on the cheek.
I glimpsed Amanda’s face in the crowd. Her big eyes were on Kyle, and when she saw me, she gave me a shy smile. “Why don’t you go say hi to Amanda? You know…she’s good. Like you.”
He pulled back, took a deep breath, and nodded. “Goodbye, Maggie.”
“Goodbye, Kyle.”
Scene87
Mike
As if they hadn’t existed, Mike walked among the paparazzi blocking the hospital entrance and hammering him with questions. He took the elevator and walked down the hallway to Maggie’s room. Soft music hummed through the door. He thought about going in, but he knew the party would end the second she saw him.
Someone opened the door, and before he could duck behind one of the guards, his eyes met Maggie’s as she reclined on the bed. She nodded for him to come inside, but he shook his head. He didn’t want to talk to her in front of everyone.
The visitors began leaving one by one, as if on cue, until there was only Nick and Cassidy with her.
“Gennaro, better late than never,” Cassidy said, motioning for Mike to enter. “We saved you some cake.”
Mike sighed, looking at Maggie for confirmation, and she nodded again.
When Mike got in, Cassidy started a conversation with Nick about some house renovations and dragged Nick to finish it outside.
“Subtle,” she said.
“Very.” He adjusted a pillow behind her head and sat on the bed next to her.
“You missed the party.”
“I didn’t know you were having one.”
“Liar.” She paused, and he looked down. “Jim told me you’ve been arranging this together, and you told him this morning to say it was his idea.”
He pursed his lips. That asshole couldn’t keep a secret. “Well, I technically didn’t miss it. I arrived late and waited outside. You know I’d never miss your birthday.”
“Where were you?” she asked softly.
“Getting your present.” He reached inside the pocket of his jacket and pulled out some papers. A contract. “Here. I convinced the other partners to sellDark Hopesand made arrangements with Robello to buy it as an indie with the same terms. You don’t have to worry about finding a new producer.” Pain seared through him as he spoke.
Maggie read through the contract and cried. “Mike, you didn’t have to do this. All I wanted was to have it back.”
“If I can’t be a part of it, the least I can do is help you find a new home for it.”
“This is so hard already, and you’re making it even harder.”
He reached for her hand. “I didn’t mean to. I thought I was helping.”
“You are helping. No one has ever helped me more than you. That’s why it’s so hard. You gotta stop taking care of me and start taking care of yourself. Ignoring your issues to fix mine isn’t a heroic sacrifice like you believe. It’s what got us here in the first place,” she said, tears drifting into her mouth. “Living in denial rips you apart on the inside. You have to find a way to face what happened to you so you can make peace with it somehow. Not easy, I know, and it might never happen, but you gotta try.”
