Chapter 4
Chapter Four
LILITH
My first client is a Countess! I text Jack the news, already picturing myself reading tarot for actual royalty. He sends back a thumbs-up emoji, then deflates me: "Countesses are peers, not royals." Whatever.
When she glides into my cabana, she's clutching a Birkin that probably costs six months of my shop rent.
Mid-fifties, spine like a ballerina's, face that gives nothing away.
Blonde. Beautiful. The kind of woman who's never carried her own groceries.
But beneath that perfect exterior, I see it immediately—a sadness so deep it's practically leaking from her pores.
She clears her throat. "I added your service to my package," she says, her English flawless, not a hint of an accent detectable. I've always been impressed by people who can slip between languages like changing clothes, their pronunciation so perfect you'd never guess they weren't native speakers.
"Tell me about Bridget," I say, my fingers working the deck.
"My daughter refuses to marry Count Willem Van Haarlem.
" She sighs, smoothing her silk scarf. "He's worth billions, runs a shipping empire.
Security for life." Her perfectly manicured nails drum once against the table.
"But Bridget wants Hollywood instead. Insists on 'marrying for love.
' We've argued for months about this. I'm at my wit's end—that's why I'm here. I need guidance."
Oh, boy. This spread won’t tell her what she wants to hear. Of that, I’m sure. Yet, I go through the ritual - shuffle the cards, cut them, ask her to select one of the decks, and then spread them out in the Celtic Cross. And I immediately see just what I thought I would.
“Your daughter has pulled away from you, but reconciliation is possible,” I say, turning over the Six of Cups.
“She needs space to chart her own course—the Nine of Pentacles. She craves independence, wants to stand on her own financially. Still, her love for you is genuine as shown by the 10 of cups, which is a promise of joy, but only if you loosen your grip. The Page of Cups in the spread shows her great affection for you, too. But let her choose her own path rather than imposing yours. That is the advice of this spread - let her chart her course and you will be close with her for a lifetime.”
“But Ms. Sydney,” the Countess protests in her perfect English. “I have already arranged for her to marry Count Willem. I have already arranged for her to take over the Vandermeer Foundation. What am I to do, Ms. Sydney?”
“Countess Vandermeer,” I reply, “let’s explore both outcomes.
I’ll do two spreads—one for the path where you compel her into marriage and charity duties, and another for her living the life she truly wants, with a man she loves and a career she dreams of.
” She glances up. “Does that sound all right?”
The Countess sniffs and nods.
“All right,” I say, riffling the deck. “A quick three-card spread: past, present, future, for the scenario where she lives by your rules.” I spread out the cards. The spread tells me everything I need to know. “Nine of Swords, Ten of Swords, The Tower.”
The Countess presses her lips together. “The Tower—what does that portend?”
“A sudden upheaval,” I answer. “The Nine of Swords in the past shows her fear of disappointing you. The Ten of Swords in the present signals betrayal and devastation. The Tower in the future shows upheaval, crisis, destruction of old beliefs. But let me get some clarity on that Tower Card. I need to see what exactly will happen in the future if your daughter is compelled to marry Count Willem and take over your charity.” I shuffle the cards again.
“Eight of Cups—walking away. Reversed Queen of Swords—she views you as manipulative. The Tower appears again, followed by Three of Swords—heartbreak—and a reversed Ten of Cups—shattered dreams, disharmony, broken family.”
At that, the Countess breaks into fresh tears.
I hand her a Kleenex and I go over to her side of the table and put my arm around her.
I read my protocol for handling the Countess before the reading, so I know that she’s warm, considered a people’s Countess, and does not mind hugging.
Indeed, she seems to enjoy my embrace, putting her head on my shoulder while she cries.
I lower my voice. "Countess, these cards tell me your daughter adores you.
The Page of Cups we saw earlier—that's her, devoted and eager for your approval.
She might follow your wishes—marry the Count, run the charity—but see this Tower card?
It predicts collapse. Either the marriage fails, or she abandons the charity work, possibly both. "
The Countess exhales slowly. "And if I simply... let her choose her own path?"
"Let's see." I turn over three new cards.
"The Nine of Swords appears again in her past—all those sleepless nights worrying about disappointing you.
But look at these next cards: Ten of Cups in her present and The Sun illuminating her future.
" I tap the bright cards. "The message couldn't be clearer.
Release her from expectations, and she finds immediate joy, lasting love.
The Sun promises fulfillment—whether she succeeds as an actress or simply lives authentically.
Her happiness blooms when she's free to chart her own course. "
“Oh, but her father will not approve.”
"You're certain Count Vandermeer opposes this?
Let's consult the cards about him." I shuffle the worn deck before laying three cards in a neat row.
"Interesting. Eight of Swords in his past position—he's felt trapped, unable to speak freely.
The Star illuminates his present—see how the figure pours water back to earth?
That's hope returning. And his future...
" I tap the final card, where a crowned figure holds a golden chalice.
"King of Cups. A man of deep feeling beneath a controlled exterior.
" I lean forward, my voice softening. "These cards suggest your husband secretly supports Bridget's Hollywood dreams. I suspect she's already confided in him, and he's simply been afraid to contradict you. "
The Countess releases a weighty sigh and shakes her head.
"The Van Haarlems have been our closest friends and allies for generations.
How am I supposed to face Willem's father with news that my daughter refuses the match?
Bridget and Willem shared cradles as infants.
This union has been written in our family ledgers since before they could walk.
I've pictured their wedding day in my mind a thousand times. Must I bury that vision now?"
I shuffle the tarot deck, feeling that familiar tightness in my chest. This moment—when the cards reveal a truth that contradicts a client's deepest wishes—never gets easier.
The Universe speaks through these cards whether we like its message or not.
People only seek my guidance when they sense something's wrong - the satisfied rarely request readings.
Yet how do I tell this woman that pursuing her cherished dream will only bring sorrow to everyone involved?
The love for her daughter shines in her eyes.
I believe she wants Bridget's happiness above all.
Now I must somehow help her see that letting go is the greatest gift she can offer her child.
I lean forward, meeting the Countess's gaze.
"I understand how difficult this is," I tell her softly.
"When we believe we know what's best for our children, watching them choose differently tears at the heart.
" My fingers trace the edge of the spread before us.
"But these cards speak clearly. A marriage to Count Van Haarlem will bring your daughter only misery—and worse, it will drive her from you completely.
" I pause, letting the silence emphasize my next words.
"Deep down, what matters most is her happiness and her love for you, isn't it?
The old wisdom holds truth: loving means releasing.
Your daughter will find joy, Countess, but only if allowed to chart her own course.
The cards have revealed this path. I hope you'll consider it. "
She inclines her head. "When I hired you, I made a promise to myself to follow your counsel, regardless of my personal feelings.
You're correct, even if it's difficult for me to accept.
Bridget's happiness is all that matters.
" A sigh escapes her as she looks away. "Though I had hoped her path to joy would involve Count Willem and our foundation. "
I rest my hand briefly on her shoulder. She acknowledges the gesture with a slight nod before rising to her feet. "I'm grateful for your guidance, Ms. Sydney," she tells me, smoothing her skirt. "I'll proceed as you've suggested. May it lead to the outcome we all desire."
She leaves and I start to put my cards away when Roman storms into the cabana.
Oh, boy.