Chapter 160: Necessary Clarifications

ALICE

Once Theo left the room, Francesca and I had a chance to talk about a few things.

My heart was still beating uncontrollably in my chest. Francesca peered down at me with a small smile and asked, "Tell me how you're feeling. I want to hear all about it."

I took a deep breath before answering her. "Honestly? I'm really happy. I can't tell you just how much."

"I always told Theo that I didn't think what he wanted to do was a good idea," she claimed. "If we were all in on it, then you could've known, too. He was so convinced that you wouldn't have done a good enough job of acting. I don't know. I'm glad it's all behind us now. It killed me to see you suffering, Alice."

I nodded. "I don't know if I would have. It's hard to tell since I've never been in a similar situation. He told me he did all this to save my life, so I can't find it in me to be mad."

"You have a good heart, Alice. I don't think I would've felt the same. Deception is something that has always upset me."

As soon as the words left her lips, I sat up straighter. "I'm so sorry about not telling you earlier, Francesca. I hate that you found out about the pregnancy like this. I saw how the whole situation was upsetting you and didn't want to add to that."

"Yes, Thelma told me all about it. Don't you worry. I'm happy that you thought about me. I suppose that if Theo had truly forgotten you and you ended up pregnant, it would've been a hard pill to swallow for me. I would've had a hard time with that. I understand how you felt, and I appreciate it."

"I'm really sorry."

Francesca patted my hand. "Don't apologize about that, darling. Your intentions were pure and that’s what matters. You and the baby are both in good health and that’s what matters.”

I searched her eyes, the smile slipping from my lips. “How’re you taking all this? I mean, now that you know Madeline was behind the whole thing…?”

Francesca shook her head and looked down. Sighing, she confessed, “I had a feeling it would come to this. Madeline has completely lost herself in this quest for…Heavens, I just realized I don’t even know what she’s after. I haven’t had a chance to talk to her about this—you can probably imagine why. How can a mother behave this way toward her own son? What could Theo have possibly done to her? To order your own son’s death is unforgivable.”

I nodded, agreeing with her. “I can’t even imagine how he feels. And on top of that, he has to pretend like he can’t remember what they did. That’s why I can’t find it in me to be mad at him, even now. I know he didn’t mean any of the things he told me, so how can I be upset?”

Francesca’s eyes filled with tears. “I had a feeling that the war for money would destroy us, but I didn’t think it would happen so quickly. I’m not even dead yet.”

“And you won’t be for many more years,” I said with optimism. “This family needs you, Francesca. I need you.”

“Oh, my darling,” she said in a low voice. Tears flowed freely from her eyes now. “I wish I could pass an eraser over this entire situation. I’ve never felt so lost as I do now.”

A knot formed in my throat. I’d never seen her like this before. To me, Francesca was the personification of control. “We’re doing the best we can. I have faith that, soon, those two will disappear from our lives, and at some point, it’ll be like this never happened.”

She quickly wiped her tears. “Yes. That’s what keeps me going. I don’t even have it in me to feel bad for Felix. His actions can’t be excused, and I’ve stopped considering him family a long time ago. I just hate that we’re all in this pitiful position.”

Francesca inched closer and added in a lower voice, “And I’ll tell you one thing, now that everything is out in the open—Theo called me up to five times a day asking me how you were. He was so worried and regretful of the way he treated you. I’ve never questioned the love he has for you, and I don’t think you ever should, even if you decide to give him a hard time about this later on. I just thought you should know.”

I smiled at her genuinely, heart swelling with love and hope for the first time in weeks. “Thank you, Francesca. For everything.”

“You never have to thank me for doing my job, Alice. Remember that.” She patted my hand one more time before backing away. “I have to go now. It’s been a long day and I have a few matters to attend to. I’m sure Thelma has a lot to talk to you about in any case. I should give the two of you some privacy.”

As soon as Francesca walked out, Thelma stormed in. She wore a wide smile on her face and she held my hand tenderly between hers.

“So,” she began, “now you know the truth?”

“I guess so,” I replied with a smile. “And you knew too, huh?”

She closed her eyes for a second, then reopened them. “Words can’t express how much I have Theo for that. I couldn’t even be near you because I was terrified of ruining the plan. I avoided you for the longest time—do you remember? Those first few days after he went home, I couldn’t stand to be near you, and then the same thing happened to Clarice, that’s why she’s been staying away. Her role in all this is even bigger, but I’ll tell you about it later.”

I remembered that. In fact, I recalled all the times she and Oliver hinted that things would somehow be right, and I never understood why until now.

If I’d been more attentive, I would’ve noticed a lot sooner.

But Theo showing up at the bakery was a dead giveaway.

“I told him it was a bad idea!” she remarked after I mentioned it. “He wanted to see Rory and make the most of the fact that you weren’t around. Oh, Alice, I’m so sorry for how I treated your concern. I just couldn’t encourage you because…You understand now, don’t you?”

“I do. Don’t worry about it.”

“You’re not upset, are you?”

I breathed in deeply as I thought about her question. “I’m more worried than anything else. Theo’s not entirely out of danger. What if they find out that he’s faking it? They’re murderers, Thelma, so anything is possible.”

“Yeah. I worry for Oliver, too. He’s been against them from the start and he’s not acting—he’s openly on Francesca’s side and yours. Let’s just hope Theo can wrap this up quickly. I’m tired of this.”

“So am I.”

She sighed, then ran her hand up and down my arm. “Come on. Let’s get you home. Your brother made lemon cheesecake and he’s anxious to see you.”