“You have good lawyers too,” Faith said. “You can fight this.”
“The risks are just too great. If I fight this and I lose, I’ll never see the twins again. I can’t lose them, Faith.”
“So what are you going to do? You can’t just give up.”
“I don’t have a choice! Harrison, he’s a powerful man. And he has a never-ending supply of money. I can’t go up against him with so much at risk. I can’t win against him.”
“Yes, you can! You have to try, at least.”
“You don’t understand.” Eve threw her hands up. “How could you? You’re not a mother. You don’t understand what’s at risk here. You couldn’t possibly comprehend what this is like.”
It was true. Faith didn’t know what this felt like. She couldn’t imagine the depths of Eve?
??s anguish. “You’re right,” Faith said. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry this is happening. If there’s anything I can do to— ”
“No,” Eve said. “I called you here to let you know what was going on, but what I need right now is time and space to work this out. The twins will be staying with Harrison until everything is sorted, so they won’t be needing a nanny. And I don’t need you wrapped up in this mess any further.”
“Oh.” It was no surprise Eve wanted Faith gone. It was Eve’s relationship with her that had caused this, after all. “You’re right. It’s for the best.”
Eve didn’t respond. She just continued to stare at nothing at all.
“I’ll leave you alone, then.” Faith hesitated. “And I’m sorry. I hope you can work things out.”
Faith left the room. Eve didn’t even look at her. She didn’t say goodbye. And as Faith made her way home, Eve’s haunted face was all she could see.
Chapter Twenty-Three
F aith was woken up by the sound of knocking on her front door.
She groaned and threw off her covers, squinting at the sun shining through her curtains. It was almost midday, but she’d spent most of the night a sleepless wreck. She’d only fallen asleep a few hours ago.
The knocking continued. Faith got out of bed and walked out to the door. She opened it up to find Lindsey standing in the hallway.
Crap. “We’re supposed to go to lunch,” Faith said. “I completely forgot.”
“Did you just wake up?” Lindsey asked.
“Yeah. I didn’t get much sleep last night.”
Lindsey frowned. “Are you okay?”
“You should probably just come in.”
Lindsey followed Faith inside. “What’s going on?”
“It’s Eve.” Faith collapsed onto the couch. Lindsey joined her. “Everything is messed up, and it’s all my fault.” She’d stewed on it overnight. It had made her realize just how bad things were. Eve’s family was at risk because of Faith. And now, Eve wanted nothing to do with her.
“What happened?” Lindsey asked.
“What happened is that I ruined everything for her.”
“Just tell me what happened. Start from the beginning.”
Faith told Lindsey everything, from that night at Lilith’s when she’d exploded on Eve, to the moment Eve had shown her the video. Her explanation was all jumbled up, just like the feelings inside her.
“And then she said she needed space and told me not to come back.” Faith slumped in her seat. “This is such a mess. Eve is going to lose her kids. All because of me.”
“Faith, this isn’t your fault,” Lindsey said. “I’m sure Eve doesn’t blame you for what happened.”