Arthur’s Pov“Smile, Arthur. It’s not a grimace, it’s a smile.” My father hisses into my ear, even though his teeth are clenched some spit still manages to get through. Any of the paparazzi witnessing this interaction would think it was just a friendly fatherly comment to a beloved son.I take a deep breath and try to heed my father’s advice. It took a lot of strings to be pulled and a lot of promises made in order for us to secure a spot at the Shining Coat event.
Almara’s PovI’m worried. I tried calling Arthur last night as soon as I got home. I wanted to explain myself before he sees the picture. It’s now morning and I’ve already tried calling three more times and he hasn’t answered.I know that he has some big red-carpet event and maybe that ran late, but still he hasn’t missed a phone call once this week which leaves my head spinning was the different possibilities.Either Arthur got into a horrible accident and i
Almara’s PovThe ride back is tense. Before we left, I told my parents that something came up and I had to go home early, but that I would be back. They weren’t thrilled, I fact I think they have more disdain towards Arthur than they did before. I keep replaying our conversation in my head.They asked if this has anything to do with Graces teacher and I getting dinner, and I wanted to tell them no, but my face already gave it all away. “Do you really have to leave because of this?” They asked, not caring that Arthur’s feelings are sincerely hurt.
Almara’s Pov“You want to what?” I let the towel I was using to dry my hair drop from my hands.“Couple’s counseling.” Arthur repeats like it’s the most normal thing in the world. I guess the stigma has gone down surrounding mental health, sure, but do we really need that?I think back on all what we’ve gone through and any one of those events would constitute a good enough reason for therapy. Still, we were laughing about our trials one the ride
Almara’s PovAuthor and I have been seeing Maurice for just over a month now and I got to hand it to her, she’s good. I think what I love most about Maurice is that I don’t know anything about her personally.I don’t know her opinions, much about her hobbies or interests, her political stance, or even much about her own family.I know that might sound strange, but the less I know about her the more Author and I are illuminated through the conversation. No matter what I s
Almara’s PovThe meeting with Maurice and Grace didn’t go so great. It was so odd, Grace never behaves the way she did in front of Maurice which I exhaustively tried explaining, but I don’t think Maurice believed me.Grace was fussier than she ever has been. She didn’t like when I held her, she didn’t want to be put down. At one point she even slapped Arthur which stunned us all. I can only hope that because of our genuine surprise to Graces outbursts that Maurice could see this behavior is not the norm.
Almara’s PovIt’s been forty-eight hours since Grace was taken away, but it feels like years. As soon as I composed myself that day leaving the park, I called Arthur and explained everything that happened. We haven’t stopped investigating since.Reluctantly we had to inform Roman and Elenor of our therapy sessions who did a poor job of keeping their snickering to themselves. Still, when even only after a few hours passed and they haven’t seen Grace they asked where she was. There was no point in lying and we need their help anyways.
Almara’s PovIt’s been a grueling week without Grace. Instead of her precious laughter and innocent soul, Arthur and I have been back and forth with lawyers all week, trying to get any information about exactly where Grace is.I know the meetings are supposed to be drawing us closer to finding our daughter, but instead all I feel is that I’m slipping in a black hole.All of the lawyers words begin to sound like gibberish against my ears and it’s like I’m looking at