Page 14 of The Stranger in the Mirror

Blythe’s brow creased. “You mean marry Addison?”

“Yes,” she whispered.

Blythe reached out and took Darcy’s hand in hers. “Yes, darling. I do. I’m so sorry that my son hurt you. And you know how I feel about you, but it’s time you moved on. As hard as that is.”

“I know, you’re right. But... I just worry about him. I want him to be happy. I mean, yes, I was hurt, but he’s always been honest with me, and I can’t fault him for his feelings. But I think he’s fallen for an illusion. She’s like this mystery. How can he build a life with someone who doesn’t even know who she is?”

Blythe didn’t disagree, but she couldn’t voice those concerns to Darcy; it would be disloyal. No matter how much she cared for Darcy, Addison was going to be family.

“I’m not comfortable discussing Addison with you. She’s going to be my daughter-in-law, and she’s been nothing but lovely. I understand your concerns, but Gabriel has made a new life, and it’s time you do the same. If he’s the only thing holding you here...”

Darcy’s eyes filled, and she expelled a breath. “You’re right. I’ll take the position.”

“When do they want you to start?”

“Next month.”

“I think it’s a really exciting opportunity for you. But I’ll miss you,” Blythe said, and she meant it. But this would be better in the long run. Darcy would have constant reminders of her heartbreak if she stayed in Philadelphia. Their circle was too tight, and she’d be constantly faced with Gabriel and Addison at every social event. Blythe only wished that she were as optimistic about the marriage as she pretended to be. In truth, she wished that Addison were the one moving across the ocean.

− 14 −

Addison

“I don’t think your mom was very happy with the dress I chose,” I tell Gabriel, nestling in the crook of his arm as we lounge on his living room sofa.

“Really? She told me it was beautiful.”

I straighten up, turning to face him. “She said that?”

He gives me a funny look. “Yeah, she said that. Why do you look so surprised?”

“Gabriel, does your mom talk about me to you often?”

“You’re not still worried about that remark she made about your engagement ring, are you?”

I wave my hand. “No, no. It’s not that. I know you explained to her that I can’t wear it when my eczema flares up.”

He’s still stretched out and relaxed on the couch, but his brows draw together in a frown. “What do you mean,then?”

I twist a strand of hair around my finger. “I don’t know. Sometimes I feel like she doesn’t like me.”

Gabriel stiffens and starts to say something, but I speak before he can. “Wait. I don’t mean it that way. Your mom is always nice to me. She’s never said or done anything that was unkind. But there’s this distance between us, and I don’t know if it’s me or what.”

“She’s as eager to be close to you as you are to her, I promise,” he says. “I wasn’t going to say anything, but she did ask me about the scars.”

I jump up and stand in front of him, feeling the heat rise in my neck. “What? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I didn’t want to upset you. She’s just concerned, that’s all.”

Aside from Ed and Gigi, Gabriel is the only other person I’ve let see my scars. It was exhausting at first, having to always remember not to push my sleeves up, choosing shirts that would cover them. But I couldn’t figure out any way that we were going to be able to make love without him seeing them.

One night, I sat him down and told him I needed to talk to him.

His face clouded over. “Is something wrong?”

I shook my head. “I just need to share something with you. I’m nervous.”

“Have you remembered something?”

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