A wife for my brother

She felt cornered. Why was he suddenly threatening her like that? Everything they had done, they had done for the same purpose. What had changed? But Leonard was right: if he revealed to Daniel how things had happened, she would lose him for good.

– Why are you doing this now? –

– Because I need to know what happened in detail… Everything… and you’re going to tell me, baby… Remember that you’re playing more than that asshole, think about your career, about your ambitions… –

– You’re a bastard… –

– I know, I know… You just have to tell me what I want and you can go quietly. I have my reasons and I’m not going to make them clear to you… You’ll understand… –

– Everything you do you do with a hidden intention, Leonard! –

– Don’t worry about that and start talking… We’ve got all afternoon –

Beverly ended up telling him everything, absolutely everything. For one of the most successful and recognized lawyers, she had “sung” as if she were in the dock. Definitely, she was no longer the same woman who aspired to a political position, who shone in the courts, who was consulted by large companies. This one, in front of him, confessing her own sins and those of others, was a mere rag doll.

When she left, Reed was undaunted, unbelievable! Who would have thought it? The next day would be the premiere and he had to think carefully about what he was going to do with everything he now knew. Before settling into his chair he had prepared himself a glass of wine, the night would be a long one.

He went over every detail, remembered every scene in his head. He put everything together and stayed up well into the wee hours of the morning pondering. The decision was his and it would change the course of things drastically, he could not take it lightly. But when he balanced the situation he did so with only one thing in mind: Deanna’s happiness.

The young girl had made enormous changes in his life from day one. He was destined to find her to allow him to live normally again; it was a prize he did not deserve and yet he got it, but not in the way he had thought. No, this was a hell of a lot better, a thousand times better. He had a daughter to be proud of; one who didn’t judge him despite all the evidence against him, who forgave him and had opened her heart to this monster. She had kept him by her side even though she knew he had broken Philippa’s heart.

He was sure that to some extent that had been because, at some point, Deanna had felt sorry for his loneliness. But he didn’t even deserve that and she accepted it anyway. It must have taken a lot of courage for Deanna to face the truth about who her father was just when her whole world had come crashing down.

He thought back to Beverly and what she had become. He smiled a little. Life is not about good guys and bad guys, debts and karmas; it’s about actions and consequences. Every action has a consequence; sometimes you see it right away, sometimes in dribs and drabs; but it always comes. He had paid the consequences of his cowardice with a miserable, meaningless and absurd life; plagued by low instincts that always left him empty.

And one day Deanna arrives to put him out of his misery, to declare that he had already paid the weight of his actions, that from now on he had the opportunity to feel alive again. She had picked him up like a puppy from the streets, she taught him to love and smile, she had filled his days again with music like when he was a little boy. And she asked for nothing in return.

Leonard slammed his hand on the desk determined “You can all go to hell! Let’s make a mess!” he said to the air. He had made his decision. He looked out the window and realized it was getting light so he stood up, went to take a bath, shave and get ready for the day. A day that would, or would not, mark a turning point in his daughter’s life.

Deanna was in the small apartment eating breakfast when the doorbell rang.

– What are you doing here so early?

– Baby… We have things to talk about before tonight’s show –

– Did you talk to Sacha? Because I sent him an email last night and he’s not responding… –

– No, no… It’s not about “work” – Do you have plans for today? –

– No, just staying at home before going to the theater –

– Well…

– What’s the matter? You’re very mysterious…

– Come, sit down –

Deanna settled down next to him on the yellow sofa. She looked at him puzzled, he rarely looked so serious. His appearance gave the impression that he was on his way to a very important meeting, he was impeccable.

-So…” She told him a little impatiently.

– First I have to show you something you won’t like… You didn’t like it the first time you saw him…”.

He pulled out a tablet from his briefcase and turned it on.

– Do you remember the video of your ex-husband? The one that launched him to stardom in adult movies?

– What are you talking about? Yeah, I don’t want to, but I remember –

– Well… I’m gonna show it to you again –

– What?! I don’t want to see it! Where did you get it from? –

– It doesn’t matter, you need to see it again –

– Are you crazy? What is all this? –Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

– Don’t be defensive, I want you to know the truth… –

– I already know the truth! I’m not going to look at it –

Deanna stood up, she was angry. What the hell? Was Leonard going back to his old self? She walked to the kitchen, but her father didn’t move.

– I’m not going to look at it! Why are you doing this? You know it hurts me… –

– And that’s why I’m doing it, because it hurts you. And it hurts because you still love that stupid Crusher, otherwise it wouldn’t bother you. Come on, baby… Don’t try to fool me, I know very well that you’re still in love with him… You can deny it to yourself and to the others, you can even make him believe it, but I see you every day… I saw you crying more times than you can imagine, I’ve heard you behind the door of the hotels mentioning him… And, honestly, I don’t know how much you see him… –

Her eyes filled with tears, it was true. But she didn’t answer him, she just crossed her arms over her chest and stood there. All the feelings she was desperately trying to bury had resurfaced when she saw him again after so long. It hurt to see him, it hurt to know he was with another woman, it hurt, Daniel hurt. And now Leonard wanted to stir that wound and make it bleed again.

-I had a very interesting conversation with Beverly yesterday… Too interesting, I have to say. I’m going to tell you a lot of things and some of them are going to make you end up hating me, but I can’t help it… First I need you to watch the video again, but in full… Come –

Deanna hesitated, she didn’t want to move, she already knew that video, it was engraved in her heart. Leonard was looking at her, waiting for her. It was her prerogative, if she didn’t want to see it he wouldn’t tell her anything and let things take their course. But if she did, it meant she still had Daniel with her.

She bit her lip, her mind was telling her to stay exactly where she was, but her heart was screaming until it was deafening her. Finally she walked slowly and sat down. Leonard handed her the tablet and the video began to play. The same footage and the same emotions as the first time she had watched it. He just watched her.

Suddenly, the tears she was holding back so tightly began to come out and Leonard had his confirmation. But from one moment to the next Deanna opened her eyes wide in surprise. There was one more minute she hadn’t seen. Daniel was almost running out of the room, nothing had happened. Beverly had been left alone in the office, she looked angry and then she was leaving.

– See, he didn’t sleep with her… He did grope her and kiss her and all that, but that’s all…

Deanna looked at him.

– Anyway, he was about to… –

– Yeah, but he didn’t. I know, that doesn’t justify it, but knowing that piece of ice it’s very likely that guilt has been killing him all this time. He didn’t dare to tell you out of fear… Men are like that, don’t you want to understand… Whether you forgive him or not, that’s up to you. But now I’m going to tell you the rest and you’ll know what to do –