1104 P.M.
ANTONIA
After five horrifically long hours at the table, a now-blackout drunk Travis finally released them from the ‘fun.’ Winslow and Miguel had made a bee-line for their suite, both looking utterly devastated by the evening’s events.
Antonia was battling rage and fear, knowing every minute her husband sat at that table absorbing the new reality was bringing her closer to losing control over the outcome.
His mind would be a whir of activity. How to play this.
What to say. How to convince Charlotte Antonia was the devil, and Ted, her savior.
He had reread the email no fewer than three times, and had stared at her for an entire hand, clenching his jaw and running his tongue over his teeth.
To be honest, it was getting a little scary to see him this way.
The email was from IT. It was automatically triggered anytime a major report was run and went to the core team, which included the executive producer, the showrunner, Ted, Antonia, and the executive assistants of each member of the core team (who would keep records of such things).
NOREPLY@
SUBJECT: Cellular Phone and Email Back-Up Completed (Ticket Number: 18-92375)
Please do not reply to this email. For any questions, please contact Samir.Kumar@
Hello,
This report was automatically generated due to a User-Initiated Request for back-up storage of the following devices and files:
E-mail and Teams Messages for:
Ted.Dawson@, Charlotte.Evans@
Cellular Text Messages, Photo Storage of the Following Mobile Numbers:
206-555-4342
206-555-4544
Request authorized by: Antonia Dawson
Request Details: Back-up all files and upload onto One Drive online storage folder. Download all files onto external hard drive and courier immediately to:
Attention: Isha Singh
Singh, Kim, and Patel Family Law Group
929 N Northlake Way Ste 440, Seattle, WA 98103
Status Update: Request Completed. File Closed.
Warm regards,
IT Support Team
So now he knew. It wasn’t the worst-case scenario, but it wasn’t far off either.
She had needed more time to work on Charlotte.
To get instructions from Seattle on her next move.
To think of how to handle this so as to protect their children from the fallout.
But that time was up. Ted would be closing in on a plan of his own.
He wasn’t about to lose everything without a fight.
He went from staring at her to gazing at Charlotte, who, as far as Antonia could tell, had done her best to avoid eye contact.
Charlotte bolted as soon as the game broke up, and the second Ted could, he sprung out of his chair in pursuit.
Travis ordered Indira to bring him another bourbon and told Oliver he wanted the two of them to play some blackjack.
Antonia thanked Travis and Mercy for a lovely evening and hurried to catch up with Ted.
She was halfway down the hall to the suites when she was stopped by Mercy’s voice.
“Antonia, can I talk to you for a minute?”
She turned, her heart pounding. “Yes, of course.”
“I wanted to apologize for putting you on the spot earlier. That wasn’t fair of me, especially given the fact that you’re about to negotiate your new contract,” she said.
“I’m just so desperate, I guess.” Her voice cracked and she blinked quickly.
“It’s so hard with Grace. I love her so much, but every day is… a challenge.”
Antonia forced herself not to think about what Ted might be saying to Charlotte right now and focused on the mother in front of her who was in so much pain.
“I know you love her. I know. You’re such a good mom, Mercy.
There isn’t a doubt in my mind. And I understand how difficult it can be to manage life with a neurodivergent child, especially when you’ve got other children and a… husband with such high standards.”
Mercy let out a frustrated chuckle. “That’s one way to put it.
Sometimes I feel like I’m literally going to drown under the weight of it all.
Rhett and Delilah are such patient kids, but they need me too, and it’s impossible to give them enough attention when I’m struggling to deal with Grace.
And she’s so upset so much of the time. I just know if I could figure it out, she’d feel better and we’d all have more peace.
” Her voice went up an octave. “But I don’t know what to do. ”
“It sounds like you both need help. You need help so you can be there for your children and take care of yourself. There’s only so long a mother can be this taxed without something going wrong. And honestly, getting Grace diagnosed would be a gift to her,” Antonia answered.
Mercy used her palm to dab at the tears on her cheeks. “But you heard him. It’s a no. He just can’t help but see it as a stain on the family.”
“Then you have some tough decisions to make. And you’ll have to be very careful. Strategic. Have the supports in place before you make a move.”
“Oh God, it’s just so hard,” Mercy answered. “I just…maybe he’s right and I’m wrong. Maybe she is fine and she’ll grow out of it.”
Antonia reached out and put her hand on Mercy’s upper arm. “No, you’re not wrong. You’re the expert on your child. You’re the one struggling with her every day. Your gut is telling you she needs help because she does.”
Mercy started to sob, and Antonia pulled her in a for a hug, her brain screaming at her to end this conversation and go find Ted before he ruined everything. But she couldn’t do it. She wouldn’t. Because the right thing to do was to stay here and help this person who needed her.