Page 6 of The Stranger in the Mirror

The fact that Addison’s entire past was a mystery didn’t seem to bother the rest of the family. Hailey adored Addison, claiming her as the sister she’d never had. And Ted seemed perfectly comfortable with his son marrying someone who was as much a stranger to herself as to them. But then again, Ted loved everyone. It wasn’t that Blythe didn’t have sympathy for her son’s fiancée.After all, it wasn’t Addison’s fault that she had amnesia, as Gabriel made a point to remind her.

She’d seen that look in his eyes the day he came to tell Blythe about the new talent he’d discovered, the same look he used to get when he found a stray dog or lost kitten. He’d gone on and on in an excited rush about this beautiful and talented young woman who’d been rescued by kind strangers, and Blythe could tell he was a goner. If only Hailey had been the one to bring her into the family, Blythe reflected, she would have been happy to take her in as a surrogate daughter. What concerned her most was that one day Addison would remember who she was and go back to her own life. For all they knew, she already had a husband. Blythe had an ominous feeling that one day Addison was going to break her son’s heart.

“Mother, did you hear me?”

“What?” she asked, startled out of her thoughts.

“Addy and I are going to seeBeautifulnext Thursday, you know, the Carole King musical.I thought maybe you and Dad would like to join us. We could grab dinner first.”

“That sounds lovely. What do you say, Ted?” Even though she had a million and one things still left to do for Ted’s birthday party next Saturday night, she was grateful for their desire to include her and Ted and didn’t want to do anything to offend Addison. Especially as she knew that it had most likely been Addison’s idea to invite them along. When Gabriel was dating Darcy, the two of them had gone to the theater all the time, and he’d seldom thought to ask her and Ted to join them—not that she would have expected him to. But since Addison’s arrival on the scene, Gabriel had spent a lot more time with the family. She wanted to believe that it was because Addison yearned for a family, to be a part of something, but sometimes she couldn’t help but wonder cynicallyif she was only currying favor. Blythe hated to think that way, but her own mother had ingrained in her the need for caution due to their wealth.

Ted smiled. “Sure, sounds great.”

“I’m so glad you’re going to join us,” Addison said, giving them a warm smile.

When they finished eating, Addison jumped up and began to clear the dishes away. Blythe put a hand up. “Darling, it’s okay. Grace will see to that.” She tried to keep the annoyance out of her voice. This wasn’t the first time Addison had dined with them, and Blythe was frustrated that she had to keep reminding her that they had help. Was her insistence on taking in her own plate a little form of rebellion against their lifestyle?

“Sorry,” Addison said, turning red. “I guess maybe it’s something that was instilled in me? I wish I knew.”

Gabriel shot his mother a look, and she swallowed a sigh. “Of course,” she said. “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. How about some coffee in the living room?”

He gave Blythe an approving nod, and she thought once again how fraught this situation was. If she showed the slightest hesitation about his commitment to Addison, he would only dig his heels in further. He had a heart of gold but a will of iron, and the only way he would ever change his mind would be on his own.

Blythe’s protective instincts, however, gave her the edge. Gabriel and Addison had acquiesced to her insistence on a year-long engagement so they could plan a proper wedding. That meant she had one year to find out everything she could about Addison, or whatever her real name was. She had already made an appointment with a detective to look into her. No matter how lovely and charming she appeared, there was simply no way Blythe would let Addison join this family until she knew who she really was.

− 7 −

Addison

We pull up the drive, and I’m struck again by the majesty of the Olivers’ house. When Gabriel puts his Land Rover in park, a valet comes to the passenger side to open the door, then takes Gabriel’s place behind the wheel and drives the car away. Ted is turning sixty, and tonight is the huge bash Blythe is putting on for him. Over one hundred guests. I’m always astounded at their enormous social circle and how often they entertain. Gabriel is as outgoing and social as his parents, and that is one of the things that worries me, as someone who is most comfortable with one-on-one relationships.

As soon as we walk in, I see Darcy near the dining room table, talking to Blythe. She looks pretty in a flowery slip dress and high strappy sandals, her white-blond hair loose and not in the usual low ponytail. Darcy strikes me as someone who is sure of herself and her place in the world. Her charm is rooted in the sense that she enjoys and is completely at ease with people.

Especially my future mother-in-law. They’re leaning in toward each other, and their conversation looks lively and animated. I hate the fact that their closeness bothers me. I learned that his parents hoped, even expected, that Gabriel and Darcy would marry one day. The moment his mother looks up and sees us, she smiles and waves us over, and I feel my throat start to close.

“You’re late, darling. What’s the point of that new watch if you don’t use it?” Blythe teases Gabriel and kisses him on the cheek.

She turns to me and takes my hand in hers. “I’m so glad you’re here. You look lovely, Addison.” Blythe is always gracious and kind to me, but she’s lovely to everyone.

“Thank you,” I say, and give her my best smile before turning to Darcy. “Hi, Darcy.”

“Hello Addison, Gabriel.” Darcy gives a slight nod. It’s clearly awkward for her, but she is polite. She was raised to have good manners, and it shows. Still, I wonder if she hates me. Gabriel was seeing her when we met, and later told me that he ended it with her before we even went on our first date. He’s honorable like that. She’s still in love with him, though. I can tell from the way she looks at him, her smile getting very small and her eyes growing sad.

“Glad you could be here to help Dad celebrate,” Gabriel says.

A brief and awkward silence follows, which Blythe thankfully breaks. “Darcy was just telling me some wonderful news,” she says, putting her arm around Darcy’s shoulder and drawing her closer. “She has a second audition next week with the Philadelphia Orchestra.”

Gabriel breaks into a wide grin. “That’s fantastic, Darcy. Wow. What position is it?”

“Second violin. I tried out with the auditions committee a few weeks ago, and they called me yesterday to come back.”

“They’d be crazy not to choose you,” he says sincerely. “You’ve been working toward this as long as I’ve known you.”

Her face lights up. “Remember the shows we put on when we were kids? I’d play and you’d sing. Our poor parents, we’d make them sit and watch us perform for hours.”

Blythe laughs. “I’d forgotten about that. You were good even then.” She turns to Gabriel. “No offense, but I’m glad you didn’t pursue a musical career.”

He gives his mother a wry look. “Thanks a lot. Just for that I’ll sing ‘Happy Birthday’extra loud tonight.”

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