only if both do it," I said, thinking about Daddy and

his devotion to Daphne.

"I don't think James wants to be like that,"

Jeanne worried.

"I'm sure he does, but it doesn't happen

overnight. It takes time to build a relationship." She nodded, slightly encouraged. "Paul and you

have certainly spent a long time together. Is that why

your marriage is so perfect?" she asked.

A strange aching began in my heart. I hated

how one lie led to another and then another, building

one upon the other until we were buried under a

mountain of deceit.

"Nothing is perfect, Jeanne."

"Paul and you are as close as can be. Look how

the two of you were toward each other from the first

day you two met. The truth is," she said sadly, "I was

hoping James would worship me as much as Paul

worships you. I suppose I shouldn't compare him to

my brother."

"No one should worship anyone, Jeanne," I said

softly, but the way she viewed Paul and me and the

way others saw us made me feel ever so guilty for

loving Beau on the side. What a shock it would be if

the truth were to be known, I thought, and how

devastating it would be to Paul.

Talking like this with Jeanne made me realize

that my relationship with Beau would go nowhere. It

might even destroy Paul little by little. I had made my

choice, accepted his kindness and devotion, and now I

had to live with that choice. I couldn't be selfish

Tags: V.C. Andrews Landry Horror
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