Helen?s eyes widened when Matt looked right at her and, out of
habit, she pulled in a breath to call out to him, but his eyes skipped
right past her.
It was obvious that Matt had come into the café looking for her.
Helen groaned to herself and rubbed her tired eyes?Claire must
have told him that Helen was missing. Helen wondered how much
else he knew about her. Knowing Matt and how clever he was,
Helen was sure he had figured out some of her secret on his own,
like Claire had.
For a moment she wanted him to find her, but he was scanning
the room for Helen?s bright blonde hair. When his eyes didn?t immediately
spot her, he gave up. She wanted to throw her napkin at
Matt and yell that she was sitting ten feet away from him, but she
realized that it was silly of her to blame him for not recognizing
her. Still, it hurt not to be recognized by a guy she?d known since
she was in diapers. As she watched Matt walk out of the café, she
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couldn?t help but feel like she was faceless, alone, and about as
substantial as a ghost.
?It?s better for him,? Daphne said consolingly as she reached
across the table to take Helen?s hand. ?The mortals who love us
never last long. Scions are tragedy magnets. It?s safer for them if
we leave before the trouble starts. That?s why I didn?t give Jerry
more time . . .?
?You never loved my father, I mean Jerry,? Helen interrupted bitterly.
She snatched her hand out from underneath her mother?s.
?No, I didn?t. I?m not going to lie to you to make myself more
sympathetic,? Daphne replied, moving her rejected hand to reach
for the check. ?But I would never wish harm on that man. Remember,
he?s the only person I trusted with my daughter. You hate me