That's where the photograph had come from. They had coffee, but argued again; Harry was elusive and Deanna was annoyed that he wasn't direct. In the end, all she had gotten were pure excuses, inconclusive sentences, and blank stares from Harry. That's why her face was red and he looked grim.
Daniel and Beverly came down on his floor.
-I'm sorry I showed you that... -
- Why did you do it then? -
- I'll be clear with you: Deanna is a sweet and considerate person, but she's going to end up ruining you -
- I beg your pardon? -
- Yes, I know. It's none of my business... You don't care about gossip or what other people think, but you need to remember who you are and the company you run. You can't just ignore all that, your entire family has worked for decades to stay on the front line -
- My marriage and my wife are my private life, no one should care what happens in it.
-Well it seems a lot of people care and enough to take a picture of them and write something so harmful on purpose... Some of our partners contacted the law office worried that the "scandals" will affect them as well -
- Tell them to talk directly to me next time -
- You're a stubborn one, Daniel -
- Yes, I am. I will not allow anyone to intrude into my life. They can take whatever pictures they want -
- That's not the problem...
But Beverly couldn't finish, Daniel's phone rang.
-Yes, Naomi What's up? -
-Hi daddy... -Daddy where are you? Are you back already? -
- No, honey, tomorrow morning. Is something wrong? -
- Can't you come now? Are you far away? -
- Naomi What's wrong? -
- Grandma's here and she's been yelling horrible things at Deanna for a while. Dad, Deanna's crying, can you come back? -
- Crying? What do you mean, crying? I'll be right there, kiddo. Don't you worry -
- Yes, Dad, come quick.
- I have to go back now. He told Beverly in a hurry.
- What happened? -
- I'm going back. What are you going to do? -
- I'll stay... Go if you have to, don't worry -
- I'm sorry, Beverly. Thank you.
She watched him until he went into his room and turned to go to hers. Apparently Camila also saw the picture.
But Daniel couldn't get there until late in the morning. The storm had already passed by his house and he couldn't stop it. He was overcome with guilt, worry; he needed to see her. Those days away made him miss her more and more; he called her constantly or sent her messages to hear from them.
He left the suitcase in the hall and went straight to his room, Deanna wasn't there. He checked the children's rooms and they were all asleep in their beds. He didn't find her in the kitchen either, nor in his office, was she gone? He noticed a light on in the old guesthouse.
Deanna was asleep on an couch, her face streaked with dried tears. He bent down beside her face and gently brushed a lock of hair out of her eyes.
-Deanna..." He said in a whisper.
Slowly she opened her eyes and when she saw him it was as if something had hit her in the chest. Tears flowed like a torrent again and she hugged him, desperate.
- I'm sorry, Daniel! - Her voice came out between sobs.
- What happened? Why are you crying like that? -
- I'm sorry! -
- Deanna, please calm down... - He felt helpless.
He felt powerless, he had never seen her cry like that before. She was clutching herself tighter and tighter and her body was shaking with the crying. He hugged her too, as best he could. What had happened for her to be in this state? Had Camilla provoked this?
Gradually she calmed down, but her breathing was still agitated. Daniel sat down next to her, not letting go.
-Tell me what happened, Deanna... please." He felt kind of numb, strange.
- I'm sorry... I'm really sorry... -
- What are you sorry for? -
- Laura came to see me, she is sad, very sad... She feels lonely, Daniel... I went to talk to Harry, I want to help him... I want to help both of them... He is my friend, he has always shared his problems with me... I felt so bad for Laura, her little girl grows more and more every day... -
Harry had told her? Had he told her the truth?
- Calm down... - I
- I didn't know anyone had taken that picture. What kind of a person does something like that? And your mother came to the house... angry with me... - The crying started again.
- For God's sake... -
Camila had taken it out on her, he was sure of that. He asked her what Camila had told her to make her like that, but Deanna didn't answer him, she didn't want to repeat those words.
-I'm here with you, no one will ever hurt you again. I won't let them... Don't cry anymore, Deanna... Please -
Hearing the pain she was feeling was driving him crazy. He felt useless, it was supposed to be his job to protect her and he had failed.
Deanna fell asleep again, but this time in his lap. He didn't want her to stay there, so he picked her up and carried her back to the house. She was weightless, feathery and with her face on his chest she looked even smaller, like a doll, fragile.
- Dad... -
- Naomi, what are you doing awake? -
- Is Deanna okay? -
- Yes, she's asleep now... You should go back to bed, don't worry -
- I heard you come in... Dad, Grandma was very rude to Deanna - She said totally pissed off.
- What did she say to her? -
- She yelled things at her like she and Uncle Harry were boyfriend and girlfriend, that she was destroying Uncle's family, that she married you just to take advantage of your money... A lot of horrible things... Grandma is very mean sometimes -
Naomi was angry at her grandmother for the way she had treated Deanna. It was worse when she saw her crying. The scene at the house was a mess because the kids were present when it all happened. Even Jonathan was upset about the situation.
The little boy had run to Deanna's legs and clung on with all his heart. He was crying silently as he watched her try to wipe away her tears and change her expression. But she tried to compose herself right away to reassure all 3 of them that it was okay, that it was over.
Ethan planted himself in front of his grandmother, as his father would, asking her to end all that. He felt responsible for everyone in the house since his father was gone. He protected her, because he had promised her a while back that he would be there for her and he kept his promise. He also took everything he made a commitment to seriously. That's when Naomi ran to call Daniel.
- Don't worry, kiddo, I'll talk to your grandmother first thing tomorrow.
- Ethan was the one who rescued Deanna -
- Ethan? -
- Yes, he stopped Grandma from yelling anymore. My brother was very brave, even though he's a dummy -
- I see... Naomi, I'm sorry you had to witness and hear that kind of thing. I'm sorry I wasn't here for you. Thank you for calling me, honey -
- That's okay, Dad. Deanna is part of the family too, I don't understand why Grandma doesn't like her -
Daniel didn't understand either. How was it possible that his mother didn't notice the changes Deanna had made in their lives?
-Neither did I... Thank you for taking care of her while I was gone....
- She takes care of us all the time, of you too... You know, Dad, I'm glad you married her –