After days of slamming doors, sidelong glances, and unsaid words, the tension finally erupted tonight.
"Aren't you in love with him again?" In the hallway, Lucas's voice broke like thunder. "Just say it!"
With her arms folded tightly across her chest, Lorna stood erect by the dining room table. Her eyes remained unflinching. "Michael is not at issue here."
With his hands clenched at his sides, Lucas scoffed. "He has always been the focus. You have changed ever since he arrived. Far away. I feel guilty.
She yelled, "I'm different because I'm sick of lying." Not only to you, but also to Jason and to me. I've spent so much time in this idealized little delusion that I've forgotten how to breathe.
Lucas stepped forward abruptly, his voice trembling but low. "Lorna, I sacrificed everything for you. I took in someone else's child. I have dedicated my life to keeping you safe.
Her voice broke as she said, "I never asked you to lie to him." "This is what you wanted. Perhaps I also wanted to think it might work. However, Lucas, we're acting, and Jason is worthy of more than a family based on silence.
Betrayal burned in his eyes. "So what? Will you give him to Hudson and act as though he's the Father of the Year?
"I'm not giving him to anybody!" Lorna's tone faltered. "I simply... I'd like to quit acting. To keep this story going, I want to stop causing pain to everyone. Do you not?
Lucas gave her a serious look, and for the first time in years, his eyes were devoid of love. Just a letdown. Simply exhaustion.
He whispered, "I should have left a long time ago."
Like ash, silence fell.
She saw his shoulders slump as he made his way to the door, grabbing his coat and keys.
"Lucas."
With his back to her, he hesitated.
He whispered, "I tried, Lorna." "I tried, God knows I did."
The door shut behind him.
five years of work suddenly came crashing down, and Lorna found herself standing in the rubble of their porcelain life, wondering if this was what truth looked like.