Page 51 of Broken Beyond Repair
“He blames me for his father leaving when actually…” She paused before admitting the truth. “…when actually he had an affair with one of my co-stars.”
It took a moment for Sydney to summon the power of speech. “What an epic arsehole!”
So Peter did have affairs with other women, some that Beatrice knew about too. Sydney was more determined now than ever to deal with her employer’s toxic ex in some way.
Beatrice let out a smooth, intoxicating laugh at Sydney’s statement, the type that swept around you and pulled you into her, or at least that was the desire it was conjuring in Sydney.
“Indeed. It was whilst we were filming. I’m probably responsible; he certainly claimed his cold, heartless wife drove him to it.”
Sydney noticed her hand was back on Beatrice’s arm again, and as the woman didn’t flinch, she left it there.
“Beatrice, you’re not responsible for that, and I don’t believe you’re heartless. A little cold…” Sydney flattened her lips and tilted her head. “But I’m sure we can warm you up.”
For a fraction of a second, their eyes met. Sydney pulled hers away almost immediately, unable to hold contact with eyes that could bore into her core and devour her soul.
“You should set Alex straight. Heneedsto know the truth.”
“No,” Beatrice snapped. Her face was instantly full of regret. She continued more softly. “I don’t want him to know. Heneedsto have a relationship with one of us, and he’s always adored his father. It has to stay that way.”
“At the expense of your own relationship?”
“Yes,” Beatrice replied firmly. “He has little stability, and I know it affects him. It’s not easy being the son of a famous actress. Every relationship becomes dispensable when you’re someone like me.”
Sydney’s heart was breaking for her. “Even with your own child?”
“Even with your own parents,” Beatrice replied, taking a deep breath. “I never went to school, not one day. I was educated, of course, but a normal childhood and upbringing escaped me, and not once did my parents ask me if it was what I wanted. I was simply moved from one acting job to the next. I can’t claim any childhood friends, as there was no childhood in which to form any.”
“Did you not make friends with other children on set?”
“Child stars are pitted against each other from the off, and remember we spent our days in an adult workplace.”
Sydney nodded and stroked Beatrice’s arm.
Beatrice yawned and moved the arm to cover her mouth. “Enough about that for today. I will require some assistance with the remainder of the book. Or the beginning, if you will. Where it all started.”
“Of course. You know I’m at your disposal, in any way you choose.” Sydney chewed her bottom lip. She hadn’t intended for it to sound so suggestive.
Beatrice pulled her lips in and moistened them.
“I enjoyed getting out today,” she ventured, “even if it was work-related. Do you think you could take me somewhere tomorrow, anywhere… your choice?”
“What about work?”
“I think we both deserve some time off, don’t you?”
Sydney wasn’t going to argue with that, even though she couldn’t afford to take the time off from the book, especially now she was going to be helping Beatrice with her formative years. She’d have to make up the time later that evening, once Beatrice was in bed.
“I’ve felt like a bird trapped in a cage these past weeks. I’m not used to being inactive. This cast is not helping.”
“There’s nothing I can do about the cast. I can get you out of here, though, and as you can’t move, I’ll move you. I know just the place.”
This was a chance to kill two birds with one stone.
It was a good feeling to be lying on her bed after a long day. It would be more enjoyable if one leg didn’t itch and the other didn’t ache. Despite the discomfort, a load had been lifted from Beatrice’s shoulders since Sydney offered some form of apology and she’d managed to air her own grievances in return. Opening up a little about her past felt better than she thought it would. She hoped clearing the air would be a turning point for them.
A light tap came from the bedroom door.
“Come in.”
