Going Back

Exposed (Her)

I was close to hysterics. How could Brian do this to me? After all of the years I'd devoted to him apparently the sanctity of our marriage meant nothing to him. He was willing to exploit my personal life for a bit of profit. I greatly value my privacy and I know that it's loss is something that I will mourn for some time. But what I can't get past right now is Kate. She was just thrown to the wolves. Exposed. Everything I'd given up, everything we'd done to fight to protect her was all for nothing. And Lindsey. He had to feel betrayed. If things weren't going badly enough between us now he has to be blindsided by this.

Obviously I had no idea this was coming. But I'm not so sure that he will believe me when I tell him that. If I ever even get the chance to explain. I picked up the phone and called Lindsey's house for what had to be the 25th time in as many minutes. No answer.

The second that Karen got wind of the book she was over here with my attorneys. There was little to nothing they could do at this point. It was obvious that he had gone to great lengths to keep this quiet until it hit shelves, knowing I would go to battle with him to block it. It took me a moment to process what they were saying to me and understand the severity of the issue at hand. I hated that I'd been betrayed. I eventually silenced them and returned to get Kate- this would effect her as well. But when I walked back into the kitchen she was gone. I found her note and immediately started to panic. I have no idea where she is or who she is with- she's just out in the world unaware of what's going on. I've called Lindsey's house nonstop thing to find either of them to no avail. I feel the intense need to protect all of them, but am unable to do so.

I eventually let the tears begin to fall, biting a lip and staring out the window from my seat. My red acrylics drummed on the kitchen table, creating something to break up the ambient noise.

I heard my front door open and I glanced over, not expecting any visitors.

"Lindsey," I let out a sob and he crossed the room in only a few strides to reach me. He immediately wrapped me in his arms as I continued to cry, my emotions only amplified at the sight of him.  "I'm so sorry," I tried to choke our, though the words were lost in my continued cries.

"Shhh." He comforted me, kissing my hair and pulling me in tighter. "It's not your fault, angel, it's not your fault. Everything's going to be fine."

Eventually he pulled away only enough to look at me, tilting my chin up to make eye contact. All of the hurt I'd caused began to crush me. The fact that I'd ever chased him away haunting me.

"He had no right, no right, to do this to you, but what's done is done and we have to get into control of the situation."

I gave my head a tiny nod. He was correct about that. "My baby," I squeaked out between tears, "Where's Kate?"

"She's alright, she's at your condo with the kids waiting for us."

I continued to sniffle a bit, "Does she hate me for this? Her life will never be the same. Lindsey, I'm sorry. I didn't know, I had no warning."

"I know you didn't, Stevie. Nobody is blaming you. And Kate certainly does not hate you- don't you see the adoration that she has for you? You're her mother and she loves you so deeply. Kate's going to be fine, she's strong, just like you." He ran his fingers through my hair, somewhat calming my nerves. "And besides, we have a beautiful daughter, someone I'm immensely proud of-- Let's let the world know how much we love her, okay?"

I shook my head, beginning to comprehend what he was saying. He was in protector mode, and he came to me immediately. He'd always done that for me, and today I was especially grateful, knowing he had tucked my little girl and my grandchildren into safe keeping in the process."

"I need to get you out of here, okay? Do you trust me? I need you to go gather whatever you may need for a few day very quickly while I talk to Karen. We have to get to your condo before more press arrive here."

I was confused. "Yes, of course I trust you, but Lindsey, why would we leave? My house has great security and there's so much room here..."

Lindsey shook his head adamantly. "No. Absolutely not. He's exploiting you for profit, Stevie, and I'm not going to let him continue to do that. You staying in this house is a ticking time bomb. He's going to pull another stunt and you're not going to be here for it."

"I nodded my head in slow comprehension, hating that someone with whom I'd shared a life would do this to me, but unfortunately realizing that Lindsey was right. I knew that the next few days were going to turn all of our worlds upside down, and it was now or never. "Lindsey," I began nervously, "I'm so sorry." My tears began again as I blinked furiously to fight them. 

"I know," he told me, his eyes speaking volumes about the sincerity of his statement and his pain the prior weeks. "Me too."

"So, we can talk about it?" I had hoped we could work through this, but as they days had clicked on I became less and less optimistic. 

"No need," he told me softly. "I love you, Stephanie. And that's all that matters."

He studied me closely before leaning in and kissing me deeply. I obviously reciprocated, feeling for the first time in months that everything was going to be okay. That I was truly home with him.