Good lies are still lies
Kael
For days, I had been noticing that Sarah was more reserved, and I would even say a bit sad, which deeply concerned me. I understood how challenging it was to be in a wheelchair, especially when one was fighting with all their might to regain the ability to walk, but progress was minimal, almost imperceptible.
I was trying to approach the subject with her, encouraging her to continue the fight because giving up was not a valid option. However, Sarah didn't open up to me, which left me anxious and, of course, saddened.
I was struggling to find the right way to address this delicate issue. I didn't want Sarah to think that I loved her any less because of her condition, as her situation didn't change the fact that she was the woman I loved and wanted to be with, regardless of whether she was in a wheelchair or not.
The concern was so present in my mind that I avoided leaving the house unless strictly necessary. I pondered on it while trying to analyze some important documents with the help of Ryan.
"These numbers don't add up," Ryan pointed out. "They don't make any sense, actually."
I stared at my brother in disbelief, as I hadn't noticed anything wrong with the Mitchell Company reports.
"I think you must be mistaken," I insisted, looking again at the numbers on the papers. "Everything is fine; I double-checked it."
"Then I guess I should worry because everything is tampered with. Look," he took a calculator and started entering some figures, "the results don't match. And some categories are repeated."
Ryan highlighted the information with a neon green highlighter, and I requested the papers back, only to do the calculations and realize that my brother was right.
"And then, I ask you again," Ryan pressed, sitting in the comfortable chair next to the table. "Should I be worried? Because it's quite clear that your head isn't here."
Despite being my assistant, and even before I discovered he was also my brother, Ryan always had the freedom and audacity to express his opinion on everything, and this was no news to me. What disturbed me was realizing that his answer was positive and that he needed to be concerned.
I ran my hands through my hair, messing it up, and then passed them several times over my face, trying to think clearly. I ended up confessing what was bothering me.
"If this situation with Sarah is affecting you to this extent, I understand that you should open up with her, Kael," Ryan pointed out sensibly. "My sister loves you, and you both need to provide reassurance to each other, no matter how delicate the situation is."
"I know you're absolutely right," I agreed. "But talking is much easier said than done, you must agree."
"Of course, that's true too."
Ryan stared at me for a while, as if his mind were scheming something, and I waited to see what he would say, as it would undoubtedly be a good idea to try to handle the situation.
"I have a hypothesis for this apparent sudden sadness in Sarah," he finally said, "and it doesn't necessarily have to do with her physical condition but rather the psychological aspect."
"What are you trying to say?"
"I believe you've noticed that Sarah has been like this since we found Rachel and learned that she was in a very difficult situation financially."
I reflected on what Ryan was saying and concluded that not only was he right, but I also realized that I was being a terrible partner, as I hadn't made the connection between the emotional and physical aspects of Sarah's situation. I was focusing only on her physical condition.
In the end, I questioned whether I was giving more importance to the difficulties than to Sarah herself. I hoped not, or at least believed not.
"Think about it," Ryan suggested, but he quickly returned to the subject at hand. "We need to hire an audit for the Mitchell Company's accounts, Kael. It's essential, given what I just identified in the reports."
I had bought shares in Patrick Mitchell's former company when I was plotting my revenge against Rachel, but all of that was in the past, and now I intend to return them to Sarah. However, before doing so, I decided to assess the situation of the company. Given what we just discovered, everything changed. There is something very wrong with the company's accounts, as Ryan noticed.
"Of course. I need you to handle this as soon as possible," I agreed.
I was still pondering this matter when Maíra entered my office, looking worried and anxious.
"Sarah didn't agree to have her physiotherapy session today," she reported, looking at me with concern. "I thought you'd like to know."
That was genuinely concerning, and my sister did well to come and tell me.
"Did she mention any specific reason?" Ryan asked curiously.
He was trying to prove his point, I realized.
"She just said she wasn't in the mood for exercises today."
I stood up, feeling anxious and with no idea how to resolve that situation.
"What can I do to make my wife understand that she needs to react?" It was more a question I asked myself than my brothers, and for several minutes, we just stared at each other in silence, each contemplating a solution to this complex issue.
"Why don't you plan a trip?" Maíra suggested enthusiastically. "I believe that would do Sarah a lot of good. She needs to leave this house for a while, distract herself."
"I agree with Maíra," Ryan concurred but added shortly after, "However, I think it would be even better if Sarah could reunite with her friends. I'm sure she would love to go to London and spend time with Lorenzo, Hilary, and, of course, Enrico."
Hearing the name of the one Sarah considered her best friend made me clench my jaw in displeasure, but I knew both Maíra and Ryan were right, and Sarah would be delighted to be with her dear friends. My jealousy shouldn't enter into this equation.
"It's a great idea," Maíra agreed with Ryan, applauding enthusiastically. "Sarah will love spending a few days in London."
"But there's a problem," Ryan pointed out when I was already starting to make some plans in my mind. "Rachel is living with Enrico, and I don't think it's the ideal time for her to reunite with her twin sister, given the recent circumstances."
"Rachel is living with Enrico?"
The question came from Sarah, who had silently entered my office, so none of the three of us had noticed her. She had brought her wheelchair to where we were gathered around the large oak table, located in the center of the spacious and well-decorated room, with dark tones that matched the sobriety of the other furniture.
"And what are these so-called 'recent circumstances,' Ryan?"
We stared at each other, and it was clear that we were trying to decide whether it was wise to tell Sarah the whole story and if it would only contribute to further increasing her desolation.
"I'm waiting for an answer," Sarah insisted, her expression a mask of coldness. "Or do all of you intend to keep omitting things from me?"
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