Blaire had been her touchstone, helping her through her anxiety through high school and then her depression after Jake’s death, never adding to Kate’s burden by telling her that her reckless actions had caused Blaire to lose her baby. And then Kate had turned her back on Blaire because of one fight. She would never be able to absolve herself of that. This new Blaire, though, the one who had done all of those horrible things, was someone who Kate didn’t know how to connect with. She was at a complete loss, and though she wished she could take back all the years of silence, there was no going back. But when she got a call from Enid, of all people, telling her that Blaire had had a complete breakdown, she knew she couldn’t stay away. This was her sister! After all, Blaire had pulled her out of the house at the last minute. She hadn’t been able to hurt her, when it really came down to it. And Kate’s therapist had explained that in Blaire’s twisted logic, she truly believed that what she had done to Kate had a noble purpose. She was trying to save Kate from Simon, who she believed was the villain.

Enid told Kate that Blaire had gone to Hollywood, as her mother had done so many years before her, in search of fame. Her connections had all turned their backs on her—they had all seen her disgrace play out online, and no one would return her calls. Then one day, she totally lost it, tried to stab a producer at the Polo Lounge, and was arrested. Her lawyer had been the one to get in touch with Enid, who’d flown out and helped to get Blaire into Los Angeles’s finest private psychiatric facility to avoid jail time. Even though Blaire had more than enough money, Kate had insisted on paying for her extended stay. She didn’t know what Lily’s intended provision for Blaire had been, but she felt responsibility as a family member and someone who had contributed to Blaire’s decline. Still, this was the first visit she had made.

Enid met her in the lobby of the stately facility, more like a luxurious country club than a medical institution. It had been years since Kate had seen Enid, and she looked so much older.

Enid walked slowly toward Kate. “Thank you for coming,” she said.

“I’m glad you called. Is there somewhere we can talk before I go in to see her?” Kate was nervous and wanted to get her bearings first.

Enid nodded. “There’s a lounge outside her wing. The elevator’s this way. You’ll sign in upstairs.”

They rode in silence to the fifth floor, where Kate followed Enid to a seating area.

“I have to say I’m surprised you’re here,” Kate said. “I thought you and Blaire hated each other.”