that first big role. And then another one. And another. Until my career really started taking off... But then I felt trapped. Like I couldn’t get away, even if I wanted to... Which I did, Reed. I swear, I did. But I was in a gilded cage.” Isabel wipes her eyes. “He said he’ll finally let me go if I marry him. He said he’d never let a ‘scandalous’ secret like mine come out about his wife. Not even his ex-wife.”
“And when will that be?” I ask flatly. “What does the marriage contract say, Isabel?”
She looks down. “Five years.”
I shake my head. I can’t believe how stupid I’ve been. For so long, I thought I was defective, thanks to my childhood. I thought I was literally incapable of falling in love. I knew I’d felt a glimmer of something special with Isabel that first night. Something I’d never felt before. Not quite that thing everyone writes about in love songs. But, still, it was definitely something more than I’d ever felt before. But then, as our relationship progressed, I felt myself constantly butting up against an impenetrable wall. And I thought that was because of me. Because I was too fucked up to let someone get too close to me. Because I was too guarded to ever let someone in, all the way. But now, suddenly, I realize it was never going to work for Isabel and me, not because I’m too fucked up to love. I mean, yes, I’m fucked up. But not to the degree I’ve always thought! No, Isabel and I were doomed because our entire relationship was built on lies, from day one. Because Isabel was playing me, and using me, and a piece of my heart always sensed it, and held back out of self-preservation.
“You don’t know what love is,” I say. I look at Georgina, my eyes plainly telling her: But you sure do. I return to Isabel, my jaw muscles pulsing. “If you’re hoping I’ll save you from Howard, the same way I’ve always saved you, then stop hoping right now. I’m not here to save you this time. Georgina is. She’s your white knight. She’s the one throwing you a lifeline. So, grab it with both hands.” With that, I grab Georgina’s hand under the table and squeeze. “Nobody can blackmail you about something you’re not hiding. Set yourself free. I don’t know if you’ll find true happiness by doing that. But what have you got to lose? You’re obviously miserable now.”
As Isabel sits quietly, her chest heaving, Georgina reaches into her computer bag, and pulls out a pad. She scribbles on it, tears off a sheet, and slides it across the table to Isabel. “I don’t blame you for not wanting to talk to me about any of this. So, call my boss, CeeCee Rafael. This is her number. CeeCee’s been wanting to expose Howard for years. I’ve also confidentially listed the names of the women I’ve spoken to about Howard, several of whom were on Francesca’s roster, early in their careers. Talk to them. Hear for yourself what Howard did to them. See for yourself if you feel okay with staying silent after you speak to them.”
To my relief, Isabel takes the paper. But, again, she says nothing.
I say, “If Howard’s got you brainwashed into thinking you’re nothing without him, he’s dead wrong about that. You’re a brilliant actress, Isabel. And everyone knows it. I know for a fact my buddy Ethan Sanderson—you remember him, right? I know for a fact he’s got at least four films in the pipeline he’d kill to hire you for. Wouldn’t you rather do movies you can sink your teeth into, anyway? That’s what you always used to dream about when we were young and poor—not doing superhero movies. Chase your real dreams, Isabel. Fuck Howard.”
After stowing the scribbled paper in her purse, Isabel stands, throws back the entirety of her second martini, and says. “I’ve got to go.”
“Take Georgie’s article,” I say.
Isabel pauses and eyes the pages on the table. But she doesn’t move.
“As a favor to me,” I say. “If you ever truly loved me, as you claim, then take that article and read it tonight. It’s the only thing I’ve ever asked of you.”
Nodding, Isabel picks up the pages and folds them into her purse. She holds my gaze for a long moment, her blue eyes full of longing and