Chapter SIXTEEN

Ariel stopped short as she entered the secluded parlor, surprised to find Hugo hunched over in an armchair by the darkened window. No lights on, no fire lit—his shoulders were slumped and his face was buried in his hands, the very picture of dejection.

"Hugo?" she ventured softly.

He started, looking up at her with bloodshot eyes. "Ariel! I...I didn"t hear you come in."

She moved closer, concern furrowing her brow. "What"s wrong? Why are you hiding in here?"

Hugo ran a trembling hand through his hair. He hesitated, but then admitted in a rush, "It"s Vivienne. She"s smothering me, Ariel. I can"t breathe when she"s constantly hovering over me, monitoring my every move." He dropped his head again with a shuddering sigh. "I just needed a break, a moment to myself."

Kneeling beside him, Ariel placed a gentle hand on his arm. She was surprised he was confiding in her—but maybe he was just desperate to unburden himself. Through his thin shirt, she could feel him trembling. "Your secret is safe with me," she assured him. "Take all the time you need."

Relief washed over Hugo"s features. He patted her hand gratefully. "Thank you. I knew I could trust you." Outside the window, a nuthatch flitted between the snow-dusted pines, its chirping call a comforting refrain. Ariel stayed by Hugo"s side in the hushed parlor, letting the birdsong and her steady presence soothe his rattled nerves.

Ariel gave Hugo"s arm a final reassuring squeeze before standing. "I should get back before they come looking for us. Will you be alright?"

Hugo nodded, wiping his eyes. "I"ll join you all shortly. Thank you again, Ariel."

She offered an understanding smile, gathered some towels, and then slipped quietly from the parlor. As she entered the sunroom, where a second closet was stocked, she found Jessica, Victoria, and Vivienne seated around a card table, a lively game of gin rummy underway.

"Just here for towels!" she said brightly.

"Oh. No," Jessica beamed, shuffling over to make space. "Come join us."

Ariel hesitated, but then thought of Randall—maybe there was safety in numbers right now. She set aside the stack of towels in her arms and settled into the empty chair, touched by the warm welcome.

Vivienne merely nodded in acknowledgment, her gaze fixed on her cards, while Victoria grinned. "Hope you"re ready to lose."

"Oh, you"re on," Ariel laughed, accepting the hand Jessica dealt her. A playful competitiveness filled the air as they drew and discarded cards, peppered by Jessica"s infectious giggles and Victoria"s theatrical groans whenever she had to pick up the discard pile.

Ariel found herself charmed by the sisters" easy banter, Jessica"s genuine warmth radiating outward. She was struck again by the contrast with Victoria"s cool detachment, even as she seemed to be in a better mood than the prior night, and was playing along. What caused such different spirits to dwell in two sisters? Ariel pondered as she drew a card, keeping one eye on her hand and the other on the dynamics around the table.

Jessica chuckled as Victoria dramatically tossed down her cards in defeat.

"How do you always win?" Victoria sighed. "Cards, men…"

"Just lucky, I guess," Jessica replied with a modest shrug, though her eyes glinted mischievously.

Ariel smiled as she gathered the cards to shuffle. "Another round?"

"I"m in if you"ll deal this time," Victoria said. "Jessica"s shuffling is clearly rigged."

Jessica let out an indignant gasp. "Is not!"

They all laughed as Ariel expertly shuffled the deck. As she dealt the cards, Vivienne spoke up.

"You seem to fit in quite well here, Ariel," she remarked. "But I imagine life in Endless Harbor must feel rather dull after Paris."

Ariel considered the observation. "It"s definitely an adjustment," she admitted. "We came here from Miami, actually. Paris was so long ago. But I"m enjoying the slower pace. And the people here are so warm and interesting. As are my guests."

She smiled pointedly at Jessica, who beamed back appreciatively.

"Well, we"re certainly excited to be here," Jessica said. "It"s been ages since we"ve had a break from the everyday, and this has made us all slow down."

"Speak for yourself," Victoria grumbled good-naturedly. "I quite like being in the fast lane. This is way out of my comfort zone."

The lighthearted banter continued as they played the next round, Ariel feeling a warmth growing in her chest. While vastly different from her life in Paris and even Miami, she had found new joy in connecting with the people of this quaint seaside town.

Vivienne"s phone alarm suddenly went off, a shrill beeping that made them all jump.

"Oh drat, that"s Hugo"s reminder," Vivienne said, quickly silencing it. "He needs to take his blood pressure medication."

She gathered up a small bag that Ariel hadn't noticed by her side and stood abruptly. "I"d better go track down that man and make sure he takes it. Honestly, I swear he"d forget his own head if it weren"t attached."

With an exasperated huff, she hurried from the room in search of her husband. An awkward beat of silence followed her exit.

"Well...I suppose the game is postponed for now," Jessica said lightly, though her smile seemed strained.

Ariel nodded, watching the doorway Vivienne had disappeared through. Her brow furrowed thoughtfully as she considered Hugo"s high blood pressure and dependence on medication. She pictured his tired eyes and nervous energy during their earlier encounter, so unlike the calm confidence Jessica exuded.

Perhaps there was more to his stress than simply growing older. Vivienne"s constant hovering and nitpicking surely didn"t help matters. Ariel felt a pang of sympathy for Hugo, understanding firsthand the longing for independence—and to hide out. She hoped Vivienne would give him the space he needed. But the shrill beeping of that alarm seemed to symbolize Vivienne"s grip on Hugo"s freedom.

With a soft sigh, Ariel turned back to the game. Vivienne"s relationship was not hers to judge. For now, she would simply enjoy her newfound friendships with Jess and Victoria.

Vivienne"s shrill voice echoed down the hallway as she returned, practically dragging a reluctant Hugo behind her.

"Come now, you mustn"t forget your pills!" she admonished. "You'll sit here with me until they are taken."

Hugo gave Ariel an apologetic glance as Vivienne fussed over him, placing a glass of water and his medication on the table beside him. He dutifully swallowed the pills under her watchful gaze before letting out a weary sigh.

Ariel studied Hugo"s slumped shoulders and tired eyes. She thought of the quiet defiance she had witnessed earlier, his longing for even a momentary escape. Though Vivienne"s concern came from a place of love, her constant hovering clearly took a toll on Hugo, both mentally and physically. Ariel wondered if more independence might improve his health and spirits.

She resolved to have a gentle word with Vivienne if the opportunity arose. For now, she simply gave Hugo a sympathetic glance before turning her focus back to the card game, which Vivienne had rejoined—ignoring Hugo completely now that his pills were taken. Within a few moments, he had slunk into a chair next to Vivienne.

Ariel let her mind wander as she absently placed her next card on the table. She thought of her own relationship with Miles. Miles never tried to control her or dictate her choices. Even when they disagreed, he respected her autonomy. The freedom they gave each other only enhanced their bond. Ariel hoped to share that same healthy dynamic with Miles for many years to come.

A smile touched Ariel"s lips as she refocused on the game. The contrast between Hugo and Vivienne"s relationship and her own was stark. But every couple walked their own path. She could only control her reactions and offer compassion where possible.

She turned over her next card and studied Jessica as they played, struck again by the younger woman"s natural grace and kindness. While Vivienne was brittle and controlling, Jessica radiated gentleness and understanding. When Vivienne glared at a flustered Hugo, Jessica smoothly dealt them both into the next round. Ariel watched Hugo relax ever so slightly in his daughter"s presence, the tension easing from his shoulders.

Jessica caught Ariel"s eye with a subtle, knowing look and a hint of a smile. In that moment, their new friendship deepened. Ariel knew Jessica was not fooled by her mother"s behavior either. As the game progressed, laughter and teasing banter flowed easily. Ariel cherished these connections with her guests that felt so real and unguarded. Here, at Cliffside, she could simply be herself.

When they finally set aside their cards as afternoon faded into evening, Ariel felt lighter than she had in ages. As they all stood to leave the table, Ariel"s gaze lingered on Hugo for a moment longer. He moved slowly, almost wearily, but as he caught Ariel"s eye, she noticed a glint of something in his expression. It was a look of quiet resignation, a hint of determination simmering beneath the surface. It was as though Hugo had been pushed past the limit of his patience, and he was just biding his time until he could escape the constant oversight and regain a sense of autonomy.

For a moment, their eyes locked, and Ariel felt a deep understanding pass between them. She offered him a small, encouraging smile, acknowledging his silent struggle. Hugo returned the smile briefly before Vivienne"s voice called his attention away.

Ariel watched as Hugo followed Vivienne out of the room, his steps reluctant yet resigned. Ariel felt a sense of empathy for him. In the controlled environment that Vivienne had created around Hugo, his spirit seemed stifled, his need for autonomy unacknowledged.

Turning her thoughts back to the task at hand, Ariel cleared the cards from the table, her mind already planning the evening ahead. As she worked, she resolved to keep an eye on Hugo, perhaps find a way to offer him a moment of respite from Vivienne"s well-meaning but smothering care. Everyone deserved a chance to breathe, to be themselves without constant surveillance. Ariel hoped that, in some small way, she could provide that for Hugo during his stay at Cliffside.

And she hoped that Randall would allow her the same…