Chapter Seventeen
Holland’s insistence that after dinner Isla might as well stay the night, and Isla’s too-quick agreement, was now a decision she regretted.
The idea that she was already steps closer to finding out something had been too enticing.
When reality had begun to hit as she sat in an unfamiliar room, surrounded by unfamiliar people, some of whom didn’t care for her, it had been unnerving.
But she’d asked for this, hadn’t she? So did she have the right to feel as freaked out as she was?
Nat and Rey had warned her about this. Nat had said that what Isla was stepping into wasn’t improv and she wasn’t on a stage.
“This is real life,” Nat had said. “And Rey and I won’t be around to jump in if things go left. Be careful.”
Maybe staying the night on her first night wasn’t being careful.
The mansion had settled into an uneasy quiet, with everyone in their respective places.
Even if she wanted to, she didn’t know how to leave, and she couldn’t just leave, and that realization set off waves of panic that forced her off the bed.
She downed the bottle of water that had been sitting on a tray on the nightstand next to her, but she needed more than that.
She needed air, too, and maybe if she got a feel for her surroundings on her own terms, she’d feel more in control.
Holland was one thing, but Victor was the key.
He was her whole reason for coming back to this damn town.
She was out of her room and heading toward the front of the hall, trying to recall the home’s schematics she’d committed to memory.
She passed Holland’s room, hearing low music coming from the other side of the doors.
She crossed into another hall, not remembering whose hall it might be.
Isla seemed to walk for ages, hoping she’d be able to get back to hers without getting lost.
She rounded another corner, passing artwork and decor she knew cost more than she’d ever make in her lifetime.
She was now in another area of the expansive home that faced the back, she guessed, from the number of corners she’d turned.
This hall was designed differently, like all the others.
Each branch, or wing, was different according to the resident’s preference.
This section was familiar, furnished in more traditional, simplistic, understated decor, but Isla had no doubt everything she was seeing cost thousands at least.
Isla was doing what came naturally to her, a survival instinct kicking in as it did whenever she had to know where she was and how to get around.
She’d done the same thing after she had arrived at Union Station, riding around LA by bus until she knew the city and its surroundings like the back of her hand.
Isla recalled how the mere mention of this Edie had ended dinner, driving Victor out and causing Brooke to shoot daggers at her as if she had been the one to speak this infamous name.
Edie. It pressed heavily on her chest. The next question followed. Could she really be Eden, or was it wishful thinking and too much of a coincidence?
Isla determined she had entered Victor’s hall.
It was only nine, and she was surprised at how quiet the mansion was.
She wondered where the staff was. Surely everyone hadn’t already retired for the night.
She was intending to not push her luck and to head back to her room when familiar voices stopped her.
The hall was empty, so she pressed herself against the wall, edging closer to the cracked door with a beam of light spilling through.
“I’m sorry I brought her up again, Dad,” Holland was saying. “It’s just sometimes I really miss her, and I wish you’d find her and tell her you’re sorry. Let her come back. I don’t think it’s right, us erasing her like this. Not speaking of her, like she doesn’t exist.”
“I’m not erasing her, Holland.” Victor’s tone was sharp. He paused, then readjusted. “It’s better for all of us, less confusing for you, if we go on as if without her. Edie’s decided she doesn’t want to be here with us. Let’s let her stay gone.”
Isla’s chest tightened.
Holland insisted. “But she’s not gone, Dad. You said she went abroad and doesn’t want all the Corrigan hype. I get it. But if you promise her you’ll keep her out of the limelight, maybe she’ll come back. Whatever you did, just say sorry and bring her back.”
“Stop it,” Victor barked, his voice reverberating down the hall.
“You don’t think I want to? You don’t think I’ve tried?
She doesn’t want to be found, and I have to respect her wishes.
This life . . . is not what she wanted for herself.
Shouldn’t we respect that and wait until she’s ready to return? ”
“If Edie’s mother was alive, she’d want you to find Edie no matter what.
If I hadn’t gotten sick and my mother hadn’t freaked out, Edie wouldn’t have left in the first place.
You shouldn’t have let her leave.” Holland’s voice hitched.
Isla felt intrusive, listening to their private conversation about personal matters.
Their pain locked her up. She considered leaving.
It felt wrong to listen in on such a personal conversation, but something kept Isla rooted to her spot.
There was a long stretch of silence and then a couple of sniffles.
When Victor resumed speaking, his tone was softer.
“One day she’ll come home, okay, Holl? But for now keep up your practice and your classes.
I expect perfect scores from your matches.
And let’s talk less about Edie and her mother. It makes your mother uneasy.”
Isla wasn’t sure what she was hearing. Why would anything about this Edie or her mother make Brooke Corrigan uneasy? What had really happened with these people? Isla’s own unease continued to grow.
“We don’t speak of them because my mother can’t tolerate even the memory of them? It’s been years, Dad. Who cares?” Holland was angry now.
“I care that we have peace in this house, Holl. You said I know how your mother can be? So should you. I don’t want to fight with her.
There is too much going on with the companies, things I’m looking into.
Not to mention you have school. Your fall break is about over.
You’ll head back, giving your studies and fencing your full attention. ”
“Whatever, Dad. You just want me out of your hair so you don’t have to worry about me.
Just like with my mother, the only people you care about are the ones who will take over when you step down.
Me, I already know you hope I get a husband with another company you can have.
I get it. If it was me who’d left the family, you wouldn’t bother looking for me either. ”
“Holl, that’s not true,” Victor argued, sounding shocked and hurt. “That’s not what I—”
He was cut off by a rush of noise. Isla barely had time to hide herself around a corner before Holland rushed past, sniffling angrily. Isla waited until Holland’s footsteps faded and the silence returned.