“Why did you need to protect her reputation?”

“Because I didn’t want to complicate our marriage—believe it or not, she was looking out for you, too. People around here talk. The cops got that. I don’t know why you don’t.”

Lauren pressed her hands over her eyes. Was Graham right? Parents would gossip about a random dad dating the director back in the day. They’d speculate. People in Raisin Beach had little else to focus on. She cleared her throat, remembering the other detail. “And what about Piper’s son?”

Graham’s face fell. “Lauren . . .”

Lauren could feel her pulse at her throat. It was incredible that people could hold so many secrets inside them.

“Is he yours?” she squeaked out. “Do you ever see him?” Part of her hoped he’d say yes. A big part of her was even willing to make space for this kid—especially if Piper was gravely sick.

But Graham lowered his eyes. His expression was conflicted. “Well, no. I don’t.”

Bile rose in Lauren’s chest. Her knees weakened, and then she could no longer stand. Graham’s eyes widened in alarm. He reached out to catch her, but it was Andrea who grabbed her instead. “Hey,” Andrea was saying, leaning over Lauren, supporting her so she didn’t crumple to the ground and hit her head. “Hey, it’s okay.”

Lauren’s breaths came faster. This, too, was new—not the prickly rage but instead a falling feeling, a depthless, dark despair. She looked at Graham again. He stood over her uselessly, blinking hard, his hands halfheartedly reaching toward her. “Lauren,” he said. “Lauren, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry this is such a mess. I shouldn’t have hidden this from you. I just . . . you weren’t in a good way, you know? I was worried about you. I worried another complication would just make you worse.”

“Get away from me,” Lauren mustered. She couldn’t believe a word out of his mouth anymore—even about herself. “Don’t come home. I mean it.”

“Lauren,” Graham pleaded. “You don’t know what you’re saying. I love you. I love our life together.”

“Do you, though?” Lauren took another step away. “Don’t come home. I can’t deal with you right now.”

“But what about Matthew? You’re not fit to be alone with him right now.”

Lauren tried to laugh, but before she could answer, her field of vision grew fuzzy, and she had to shut her eyes. And when she opened them again, Graham was gone.

Twenty-Eight

It took a long time to track down Ronnie. When she finally answered her phone, Andrea could immediately tell something was very wrong. She kicked herself—she’d sensed this before they drove to LA, too, but she’d given Ronnie her privacy. “Lauren and I are coming to get you,” she said promptly.