NEPO BBY

8

"At what point, did you learn about your father, Mr. Depp and Mrs. Heard affair?" Camille asked.

• • •

The four of us went out for dinner. It was rare that we ever went out to dinner because Mum enjoyed cooking for us. So we usually went out for special occasions. But this was really not a special occasion.

Things between the four us was quite awkward and our relationships with one another had become very strained, to say the least. I could feel tension between Mum and Dad and that was new for me because I'd always viewed them happy and in love with one another. Lily was desperate to pretend that we would just go back to being a family and I was convinced we wouldn't so I didn't put much effort into any of it.

Over that dinner, Dad said he would be going on a press tour. This wasn't unusual for him. He had always gone away for filming or press tours or premieres. But everyone felt quite uncomfortable this time around because we'd all learned what had taken place between Dad and Amber.

A few days later, we said bye to Dad. And if things weren't already bad - it was about to get worse.

Mum never watched much TV. She didn't read tabloids. She liked her fashion magazines because they inspired her and she was, in fact, a fashion icon. Or that's what the press always labeled her as. Mum was modest - she never viewed herself as a celebrity and preferred the quiet and normal lifestyle she'd created for us all in France.

But when Dad was gone, I noticed her mood shifted. And she became obsessed with following Dad's press tour. I tried to ignore it. And I sympathized with her - he had kissed Amber and now he was going to be away with her again.

One morning, I woke up and went to the kitchen for breakfast. Mum was sitting at the dining room table still in her robe and pajamas. She looked like she hadn't slept all night. She had bags under her eyes and she was sipping tea as she flipped through a magazine. And it was the way she immediately put the magazine face down as soon as I walked in that let me know it was not one of her fashion magazines.

"Good morning," she told me in a fake cheerful voice.

"Morning," I half replied.

"I've made breakfast, have a seat," she told me as she got up from the table and began making me a plate of food. I took a seat and slid the magazine over, I checked to make sure she wasn't looking when I turned it over to read.

Johnny Depp - cheating on his wife? Rumors are circulating that actor Johnny Depp and his costar, Amber Heard have been having an affair.

I quickly turned it back over as she brought me the plate of food. I took a closer look at her and I noticed her eyes were red, I assumed from crying.

"Heard from Dad?" I asked.

She glancing up at me, forced a smile, "He'll be home soon."

But I just knew that wasn't the case. I knew she hadn't heard from him. I knew he wasn't coming back.

Just a few days later, I was finishing up some school work when I walked out of my bedroom and down the hallway for a glass of water. I could hear Mum and Benoit talking in the distance. As I got closer, it became clearer of what they were talking about.

Dad.

"I know he's having an affair, Benoit," Mum said.

"How do you know, Charlotte? Just because some tabloid says so?" He questioned back.

"Well that and my gut is telling me," she confessed.

"Sometimes our gut can be wrong," he replied.

"No. Not this time." She was sure of herself. "You'll see when he comes home and confesses his sins to me again. That's even if he comes home."

"Don't speak that into existences. Johnny loves you and the children. He wouldn't just leave you for some girl. I mean that's what she is - some young actress."

"Not just some young actress. She's younger than I. She's pretty. She's been there for him when I wasn't. I mean - he even said so himself. She made herself available to him."

"And that's because he's Johnny Depp to her. Okay? He'd be a fool to fall for her tricks."

"He's already fallen for her tricks, Benoit."

"Okay, he kissed her. You're right. But to leave you for her - that's absurd. Come on, I've known Johnny for close to 20 years. He would never do that to you."

But unfortunately, I am sad to report Dad, in fact, did do that to Mum. He did continue on his affair with Amber and he did leave Mum for Amber.