Page 100 of The Beast's Heart

“You think I don’t know that?”

Her hand touches my shoulder and I tense. “Maybe it’s time.”

“I’m not going to give up on this, Meredith.”

“That’s not what I mean.”

I turn to look at her.

“We have to do the best we can with the resources we have. And maybe that means shifting our focus inward. At least for a little while. Talk to them. Tell them the truth. And Belle too. They can help us figure out the next steps.”

My stomach plunges. “I’m not doing that.” My voice is barely a whisper. “We’ve come too far.”

She sighs. “Then I don’t know what to suggest.”

“I’ll think of something.”

38

JONATHAN

The tension doesn’t leave with Adam and Meredith. I sit at the table, in my usual place.

“Uh, how’s Davy?” I ask, just to break the silence.

“He’s good.”

Ray doesn’t volunteer anything more. I press my lips together, stare at my hands. Meredith’s right. I should take a pay cut. I’m being paid at Dad’s pay grade, not mine. Yes, he needs the money, but so does the foundation. I’ll talk to Adam. Maybe Zane can help Dad out for a bit, until I find something else. I hate to ask, especially with Sebastian not working, but I’m not sure what else to do. The silence stretches on. I’m not used to this kitchen being a cool space. It’s usually the heart of our household.

Our household.

The twist in my gut is painful enough it drives me to speak. “I’m sure you could make amazing food with the basics.”

“Oh honey, please don’t worry yourself with all this.”

They set a cheese sandwich down in front of me and clasp my shoulder. Then they disappear into the pantry, leaving me to eat in silence.

I don’t see Adam for the rest of the day. After the children are tucked in bed, I seek him out and find him in the parlor. He’s sitting hunched at the bar, nursing something amber in a tumbler.

“Hey,” I say softly, so I don’t startle him.

He glances back at me. “Hey. How was cocoa?”

“It was fine.” I move further into the room. Like most classic French interiors, it has that magazine quality—everything too white or glossy to ever be practical. The couches and chairs have ornate engravings on their delicate curved feet and armrests, the upholstery is creamy with beautiful bright white detailing. A gold-rimmed mirror reflects the forest view from the window. It’s a space for entertaining guests, not for being alone in. “Are you all right?”

“Hmm?” He glances back at me. “Yeah.”

“You weren’t at dinner.” I join him at the bar.

A small smile ghosts across his lips. “I’m fine.”

“Worried about the foundation?” Or is this about earlier? An emotional hangover after opening up the way he did? Maybe both.

Adam sighs and hangs his head. “I made some bad decisions and now… I don’t know what’s going to happen. Everything’s such a mess.”

“Hey.” I cup his face, turning it to look at me. “I think you’ve done really well given the circumstances. You didn’t count on there being a pandemic.”

He scoffs and tries to look away, but I keep my hand on his cheek.

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