?Right around the time you were born, the Houses were going
through a period of intense fighting that was thought to be the final
confrontation. There were a lot of deaths,? Castor said, looking
down at his hands.
Helen turned her back on Castor and Cassandra and tried to
breathe her way through the tears, but still it took a few moments
before she knew she wasn?t going to start sobbing. She didn?t even
know why she was so upset. She?d always thought she hated her
mother.
?Helen, we understand that you might need some time before we
continue. We still have a lot more to talk about, but we?re not going
anywhere and we can finish this conversation when you?re ready.
In the meantime, please know that we really do want to help you,?
Castor said gently from somewhere on the other side of the room.
Helen heard them get up to leave, but she couldn?t bring herself
to say good-bye. After they?d left, she opened up the French doors
and went out onto the patio. The sight of the pristine beach and
rolling blue water blunted the sharper edges of her emotions and
before she knew it she was shuffling down the beach.
?Are you okay?? Lucas asked from behind her.
Helen just nodded, not surprised that he had appeared. They
both looked down the beach, watching a big, hairy dog jump in and
out of the surf with glee. After a moment Lucas moved and stood
beside her.
?I?m relieved,? Helen said. She turned her head to look at him.
?My whole life I thought my mother hated me so much that she
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didn?t even want me to know what she looked like.? A pained expression
darkened Lucas?s face, but Helen continued before he
could interrupt her. ?I?m not saying an ancient blood feud is a good