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Esme and Nora exchanged a worried glance. “Holly, what are you saying? Things can’t be that bad. Have you spoken to Debs at all? Are you sure that’s what you want?” her mother asked.
“We broke up. It’s done. I’m moving on.”
“I’m sorry, sweetheart, but running away won’t solve anything.”
“I can’t be here without her,” Holly said, her voice breaking. “It’s too much. I thought I couldhandle it, but I can’t. I need to go back to where everything made sense. Coming back here was a mistake.”
Esme sighed deeply and took Holly by the shoulder. “Sweetheart, I think it’s time you knew more about Deborah’s past. Maybe it will help you understand why things happened the way they did. Did she not explain more?”
Holly looked up, surprised. “What do you mean? And no, Deborah never really talked about it. She always said it was too painful. She’s so damn guarded.”
Holly’s mom nodded, her expression growing more serious. “Deborah went through a tough divorce a few years ago. It wasn’t just any divorce; it was a devastating experience and incredibly public. Like the most complicated, emotionally messy divorce ever. Leaving with her a great deal of emotional baggage and a totally guarded heart.”
Her voice grew soft as she continued, “Deborah was married to Jenny, and she always looked after her two nieces, who were almost like children to her. I should have said something already. I could have warned you this would come up, but I didn’t feel it was my place. Jenny was a significant part of Deborah’s life, and as a couple they always seemedso solid. We were all pretty jealous of them back in the day. But then everything fell apart. And it was brutal. Jenny left Deborah and ran off with Hailey, who was actually Deborah’s brother’s wife. She must have spoken to you about her brother, Daniel?”
“Not a single word,” replied Holly, her face blank.
Esme sighed deeply, her eyes reflecting the gravity of the situation. “The betrayal was devastating. Daniel was completely blindsided. He and Hailey had been together for years, and their separation was a huge shock. The fallout was brutal for everyone involved. They had two little kids. The media pounced on the story, turning it into a circus. The public couldn’t get enough of the scandal, and the court case was streamed live on the Internet, adding an extra layer of humiliation for Deborah. The kids suffered too.”
Esme sighed, “Danny and the kids were caught up in it all, big time. He was seriously affected by the split. He hardly ever gets to see the little ones either. The court battles over custody and visitation rights were relentless, and the impact on Danny was… well, he was left a bit of a nervous wreck.”
“I’m guessing that Deborah is terrified that all this press about you and her will bring her divorce and her brother back into the fray. Her brother was nearly admitted to a psych unit from it all. it was awful for him. Deb has always held it together for everybody, but Jenny truly broke a piece of her forever.”
Holly exhaled. “But why never mention any of this? I mean, she’s told me that she was worried about gossip. We even hired a publicist, although I’ve never heard anything about that since. I don’t think she’s been of much use. But Debs didn’t even tell me about her brother. And we’ve had all the deep and meaningful chats, you know? I’ve really opened up to that woman, and now I’m finding out that she kept all this from me?”
Holly’s mother continued. “Deborah tried to keep it together, but she was painted in a very negative light. The public didn’t see the full story; they only saw the scandal and the drama. Talk about victim-blaming. Jenny has some great lawyers, let me tell you.”
Nora added, “I think she’s been through so much, and reliving it would be like reopening old wounds. Maybe she thought she was protecting you, but at least now you know why she’s been soguarded. I’m just sorry we were the ones who had to tell you.”
Holly felt as though her heart was actually physically aching for Deborah. “Why didn’t she trust me enough to tell me any of this? If only she’d just talk to me. Maybe we wouldn’t have gotten here.”
Esme looked at Holly with a mixture of sympathy and understanding. “Deborah has always been very private. She’s afraid of being judged. My bet is that she didn’t want to burden you with it all and maybe thought it might complicate your relationship. She doesn’t like to admit the emotional baggage that comes with her love.”
Nora squeezed Holly’s hand gently. “It’s not about not trusting you or not loving you. It’s about her trying to shield you from the hurt she’s still carrying. But you know everything now, so maybe you can get a little perspective? And I’m not saying that in a rude way, honey. I’m trying to help.”
Holly felt a lump in her throat, struggling to process the weight of what she had just learned. “Maybe I could have been more supportive and understood her better. I’ve been a little curt with her at times. I just had no idea.”
Nora offered a reassuring smile. “It’s never toolate to show support and compassion. It’s about moving forward, right? I’m sure she’s asking herself the same questions.”
Esme clapped her hands together and offered her daughter a sympathetic smile. “Exactly. Wow, Nora! I didn’t have you down as the insightful therapist! That’s my job. Where’s my cutthroat businesswoman extraordinaire gone, huh? But, Hols, listen, my love, Deborah’s past is painful, but it doesn’t change the love you share. Or does it?”
Esme wrapped her arm around Holly’s shoulders as she continued to speak, trying desperately to bring her daughter out of what was clearly becoming a state of depression. “Holly, relationships are complicated. We all have our baggage. You can’t run away from your problems. You need to face them and learn from them.”
Holly nodded and turned to her mother, pushing her tear-soaked face into her shoulder. “I just feel so lost without her.”
“You’re stronger than you think,” Esme said gently. “But you need to take care of yourself first. Maybe going back to Australia isn’t the answer. In fact, it’s really not. I think it would be the wrong move.”
Nora handed Holly a glass of wine. “Here, this might help take the edge off.”
Holly took the glass, sipping it slowly. The wine was a temporary comfort, but it did little to numb the pain. She drank more than she intended, and soon, the room started to spin.
Her mother noticed and gently took the glass from her. “That’s enough for now, sweetheart. Let’s get you to bed.”
Holly agreed, feeling a mix of exhaustion and sadness. Her mother helped her to her old bedroom, tucking her in like she used to when Holly was a girl. “Try to get some rest now, and we’ll come up with a plan of action in the morning.”
As Holly started to drift off to sleep, she could hear Esme and Nora talking quietly in the living room. “I’m super worried about her, Nora,” Esme said. “She seems so lost and fragile.”
Nora replied, “She’s young, Es. She still has a lot of growing up to do. Maybe this experience will help her mature and understand what it takes to be in a real adult relationship.”
