A Silken Thread - Brenda Jackson [123]
Erica took it all in, and only one thought was able to form in her brain. She swung around to gaze at Brian. Looked into the depths of his dark eyes, saw the pain and hurt she’d caused by not believing in him and not trusting him. He had tried telling her he was innocent but she hadn’t believed him. She had seen the worst and she had believed it.
“Brian—”
She took a step toward him and he took a step back. Then he turned and walked off toward the kitchen. She flinched when she heard the kitchen door slam shut behind him.
A flood of remorse tore into her and she felt the weight of everything April had told her on her shoulders. Tears she couldn’t stop racked her body and she began shaking.
“It’s okay, Erica.” She heard April’s voice and knew as always her friend was there.
Somehow April helped her over to the sofa and she dropped down on it and hid her face in her hands as her tears continued to fall. Ashamed. She was so ashamed for everything her mother had done. Everything she had believed because of her mother. She dropped her hands down in her lap. “How could she do this to me, April? To Brian? How could she do what she did to anyone? To you and Griffin. How could any one person be so evil, so vindictive and so manipulating.”
“That’s the one thing we can’t figure out,” April said softly. “Why she did it.”
Erica turned to her, filled with anger. “I know why she did it. It has everything to do with that damn curse. She’s always been obsessed with it.”
“Then we need to know why.” April shifted in her seat. “There are two other things I need to tell you about.”
Erica shook her head. “I don’t think I can handle any more.” She looked toward the door through which Brian had left. “He hates me. I should have believed in him, April. I should not have thought the worst.”
“Yes, but from what I heard the evidence against him was pretty damaging. I think even he understands that. However, he can’t help but feel a little down right now. I think he needs a little time to himself.”
“How did you get him to come?” Erica asked, staring at April through her tears.
“He asked to come. To be here for you, Erica. He had hired a private investigator to prove his innocence. They had already figured out your mother’s duplicity by the time Griffin flew to Dallas to pay Brian a visit.”
Erica drew in a deep breath. “And I thought he was having an affair with that attorney at his firm. Donna Hardy.”
“Evidently, Jaye was able to get something on Hardy to make her do whatever he wanted. He told her to set up the scene and make it seem like Brian was unfaithful to you.”
Erica threw her head back and inhaled deeply. “It worked. I didn’t want to hear anything he said. Our love was based on trust and I let him down.”
She then glanced around. “Where is Griffin?”
“He went outside. He’s still shaken by what your mother tried doing, as well. He and Brian were determined to get to the truth. They loved us that much.”
Erica shook her head. “Griffin might love you, but I’ve lost Brian’s love and I doubt that I’ll ever be able to get it back.”
“Don’t do this to yourself, Erica. Brian still loves you or else he wouldn’t be here for you now.”
Erica wiped her eyes. “You think so?”
“Yes. Go to him. Talk to him. Tell him how you feel. Everyone is entitled to at least one mistake.”
Erica stood slowly on wobbly knees as she drew in a calming breath. She did owe him an apology, but she wouldn’t blame him if he didn’t accept it. She’d started to walk away when she thought of something. “What are the two other things that I need to know?”
A small smile touched April’s lips as she waved her hand. “Go on. It can wait. Just go to your man.”
Erica ran to the kitchen to go out the same door where Brian had exited earlier.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Brian heard the sound of the screen door closing but didn’t need to turn around to see who it was. He hadn’t figured seeing Erica again would have such an effect on him, but it had.
“I owe you an