Chapter 5

After the marriage, Pierre continued straying, even scheming to produce more heirs.

Mamie endured endless torment and rows, spiraling into severe depression before ultimately jumping to her death. Pierre seemed to reform afterward, but the chasm between the father and son was irreparable.

Ted stopped going home, diving instead into booze, reckless driving, and heavy smoking. He became the stereotypical trust-fund kid, reveling in nightly excesses. Once aloof toward girls, he now navigated relationships with the skill of a seasoned player.

The pure, untainted boy I'd known had faded into an illusion—a ghost from my memories.

...

That night at the party, I met Ted's new girlfriend for the first time.

She was fair-skinned and fresh-faced, wrapped in a camel coat with chestnut curls tucked into a cashmere scarf. Her smiles crinkled her eyes—sweet rather than stunning, but radiating an innocent purity.

Ted had been right; she was leagues apart from his previous girlfriends.

"You're Nora, right?" Audrey Vincent bounced over, clasping my hand with a grin. "Ted talks about you all the time. What a liar, saying you're plain. You're gorgeous!"

As a woman, I could easily detect the veiled hostility in her eyes. Her intuition must have sensed that my history with Ted wasn't ordinary.

Before I could respond, Ted intercepted us, linking his hand with hers. "Meet Audrey, my girlfriend."

The crowd erupted in whoops. "This is the first real girlfriend Ted's ever introduced! She's definitely keeper material."

"Audrey's impressive, snagging him when no one else could."

"When is the wedding? I'll bring a handsome gift!"

Audrey blushed, nestling closer to Ted with a shy smile. The latter shielded her. "Ease up, guys. Don't spook her."

His friends teased back. "Already in protector mode? We're drowning in sweetness here."

We settled into our seats, and out of habit, Ted claimed the spot to my left. I was about to nudge him when Audrey approached.

She pressed her lips together, probing, "Nora, would you mind swapping spots? Since you're single, it's best to keep some distance from a guy who has a girlfriend, right?"

Her blunt request made me frown. Since I had taken that spot first, the one who should move was certainly not me.

But Ted poked me. "Come on. Just humor her a bit."

I glanced at him, then rose and relocated to the opposite side.

The night buzzed with energy, booze flowing freely. Mid-meal, Audrey nudged Ted. "I want some of that salmon."

He responded automatically, "But aren't you allergic to fish?"

My fork halted mid-air as silence stretched. Audrey's expression soured. "No, I'm not."

Ted froze. "Oh, must've mixed it up."

She pressed, "Who is allergic to fish, then?"

He shrugged. "Brain fog. I've had too much to drink."

She shot me a dark look, then deliberately dropped a piece of salmon onto my plate, staring intently. "Try it, Nora. It's good."