The phone’s slight warmth rests against my cheek as I wait for Geneva’s voice to break through the line. But the moment she answers, an astute undertone in her greeting tells me she’s already sensed something amiss.
‘Elena?’ Her voice tilts upward, a question more than a greeting.
I swallow, my mouth suddenly dry. ‘Geneva,’ I begin, hesitating. How do you tell someone something that feels like it’s pulled straight from a gothic novel? ‘I need to head to Rich Oaks tomorrow.’
A beat. ‘What happened?’
My fingers grip the edge of the table, the sleek varnish offering no comfort. ‘Aisling,’ I murmur, feeling the sting in my eyes. ‘She and… him, they’ve had a falling out.’
Geneva’s intake of breath is sharp. ‘Oh no,’ she whispers.
“And there’s more to it, Geneva. Much more.’ That’s when I let the words tumble out, feeling the weight of every syllable. ‘The Presleys, they believe there’s a… curse on our family.’
Silence. Then, a soft, incredulous, ‘A what?’
I nod, even though she can’t see me. ‘Yes, a curse. I don’t understand all of it, but it’s why everything is so complicated.’
I can almost hear the gears turning in Geneva’s mind. ‘And you’re going to Rich Oaks because…?’
‘To be with Aisling,’ I say firmly. ‘I can’t leave her alone in this.’
When I finally reach Duke on the phone, he’s just landed in Wesbury, and I’m getting ready to leave for Rich Oaks.
‘It was last November,’ he narrates the visit to the psychic.
‘So, this past November. Where is this psychic located?’ I ask, bracing myself to dive deep into this.
‘She’s in Sterling, just outside the town,’ he answers.
‘Sterling, got it. And did she say anything else besides the curse?’ I’m almost afraid to hear more.
‘Just the curse, that’s all,’ he replies, and I can hear the regret in his voice.
I exhale deeply, feeling a tightness in my chest. ‘Duke, there’s no curse. Our family isn’t cursed.’
‘I know that now, Elena. I’m so sorry for everything. I’ve made terrible decisions, and I don’t think I’ll ever forgive myself,’ he admits, his voice heavy with guilt.
‘It’s okay. I think Aisling will eventually heal. It’s good you’re being honest now. I’m actually on my way to the airport, hoping my visit helps somehow,’ I try to reassure him.
‘I’m really sorry, Elena,’ he repeats, full of remorse.
‘It’s okay.’
‘I need you to know I didn’t do anything with her. I was there, but nothing happened. I need you to believe that,’ he insists.
‘Truth is truth, Duke, whether it’s believed or not. It’s better to be hurt by the truth than comforted by a lie. I believe you, and I accept your apology,’ I say, trying to find some peace in the chaos.
‘Thank you, Elena,’ he says, sounding relieved.
‘I should let you go. Thanks for calling back. I’ll keep you updated,’ I say, ready to hang up.
‘Safe travels, Elena,’ he wishes me.
‘Thanks, Duke.’
Just minutes after hanging up with Duke, I call Geneva. She answers immediately.
‘Elena?’ she sounds tired.
‘I thought you’d be asleep by now,’ I say.
‘No, I’ve been wide awake since you called. Can’t seem to close my eyes,’ she admits.
‘Where are you right now?’ I ask, concerned.
‘I’m out on the patio, just staring into the void. I can’t wrap my head around this. How can people be so cruel, so quick to believe lies?’ Her voice is laced with anguish.
‘I just got off the phone with Duke,’ I tell her.
‘He called you back?’ she sounds surprised.
‘Yes, he did,’ I reply.
‘I didn’t expect him to,’ she confesses.
‘He missed my calls earlier. He was flying back to Wesbury,’ I explain.
‘Oh, so he didn’t stay. He’s back home,’ she says, a note of relief in her voice.
‘Yes, he’s back in Wesbury,’ I confirm.
‘Good for him,’ she says, but I can hear the bitterness in her voice.
‘I talked to him. He’s told me everything,’ I say.
‘What did he say?’ she asks, her tone edged with sarcasm.
‘I want to believe him when he says…’ I start, but Geneva cuts me off.
‘Elena, don’t go there…’
‘Geneva…’
‘Please, just stop,’ she begs.
‘But why would he lie now? He’s been honest about everything. I don’t think he’s lying,’ I argue.
‘But he believed it, Elena. He believed our family is cursed. That’s why I couldn’t have a child, why Aisling hasn’t conceived in five years of marriage, despite the IVF. He felt he had to look elsewhere,’ Geneva argues back.
‘He admitted it,’ I confirm, feeling the weight of his confession.
‘After he was caught, Elena. Why are you defending him now?’ Geneva’s voice is laced with skepticism.
‘I’m not defending him. I never said that,’ I quickly clarify.
‘So what are you saying?’ she demands, tension rising in her voice.
‘Geneva, remember how from the beginning we knew his mother was behind this?’ I try to remind her of the bigger picture.
‘He’s so foolish to have listened to them!’ Her anger is clear in her voice.
‘Geneva, listen…’
‘I can’t believe his grandmother was involved too,’ she continues, disbelief evident in her tone.
‘Yes, it’s shocking. She and Anne have never been on good terms,’ I agree.
‘So, have they made up now?’ Geneva probes further.
‘We don’t know why she supported this, but maybe she did it because she didn’t want Duke to leave his position,’ I speculate, piecing together the puzzle.
‘I thought she was on our side,’ Geneva sounds betrayed.
‘I did too, but people often change for selfish reasons,’ I sigh.
‘So, she and her grandson betrayed Aisling,’ she accuses bitterly.
‘I can’t argue with that. You’re right,’ I concede, my heart heavy for Aisling.
‘We can’t let Aisling continue with this, Elena,’ Geneva insists.
‘It’s not our decision, Geneva. Aisling has to discuss this with Duke,’ I remind her, respecting Aisling’s independence.
‘Do you think she should go through with it?’ she asks me directly.
‘Yes, I do. It might work this time,’ I respond, clinging to hope.
‘What if it fails again?’ Geneva’s worry is evident.
‘Then we try again,’ I say, determined to remain optimistic.
‘But then they win, Elena. We can’t allow that,’ she warns, her voice tight with concern.
‘Let’s just stay calm, Geneva,’ I try to soothe her.
‘I wish I could calm down. I just can’t sit here doing nothing,’ Geneva confesses, her voice thick with frustration.
‘Duke believed a lie. It’s something a lot of people might have done,’ I try to rationalize his actions.
‘But not the Duke we thought we knew,’ she fires back, her trust in him completely eroded.
‘I get it. He let us down. But we can’t just write him off. He’s under immense pressure from his family. He’s like a puppet to them, especially in situations where things spiral,’ I say, understanding the difficult spot he’s in.
‘You just keep defending him,’ Geneva accuses.
‘I’m not defending him,’ I insist.
‘We need to tell Malcolm about this. When are you going to call him?’ she asks, her tone urgent.
‘I’m not sure yet…’ I admit, apprehensive about how Malcolm will react.
‘You’re right, Geneva, but…’ I start, still wrestling with the decision.
‘But what?’ she presses, eager for action.
‘We can’t predict how this is all going to play out,’ I say, wary of jumping the gun.
‘And that means you won’t tell him?’ Geneva’s disbelief is clear.
‘I’m hesitant,’ I confess.
‘Why would you hesitate?’ she probes.
‘Malcolm’s temper is… volatile,’ I explain, recalling his past outbursts.
‘So you’re just going to keep this from him?’ Geneva sounds disappointed.
‘Not forever, just waiting for the right moment,’ I try to explain my cautious approach.
‘I don’t agree, Elena. And what about Anne? She’s manipulative and deceitful. We need to confront her,’ Geneva’s anger is out of control now.
‘Let’s leave Anne out of this for now,’ I suggest, not wanting to escalate the situation further.
‘Seriously, Elena?’ Geneva’s frustration with my response is obvious.
