Chapter 10: The Public Mask
Despite everything Richard now knew, Eleanor continued to play her role flawlessly in public.
She attended charity luncheons. She smiled for photographs. She spoke warmly about her “beautiful daughter-in-law” and the upcoming arrival of her first grandchild.
At a small family dinner with Preston and Harper a few nights later, Eleanor was the perfect mother and mother-in-law. She asked Harper about her prenatal appointments. She teased Preston about becoming a father. She reached over and squeezed Richard’s hand as if they were still a united couple.
Richard watched her the entire evening.
Every smile.
Every soft laugh.
Every affectionate glance toward Harper.
It was all still there — the performance, the control, the careful construction of an image.
At one point, Harper looked across the table and briefly met Eleanor’s eyes.
It lasted less than a second.
But Richard saw it.
The same look from the wedding.
Quiet. Familiar. Shared.
After dinner, as Preston walked Harper to the car, Eleanor stood beside Richard on the front steps and waved them off with a warm smile.
When the car disappeared down the street, her smile faded.
She turned to Richard.
“You’re very quiet these days,” she said.
Richard looked at her.
“I’ve had a lot to think about.”
Eleanor studied his face for a moment, then gave a small, almost pitying smile.
“Don’t do anything foolish, Richard. You have more to lose than I do.”
She turned and walked back into the house, leaving him alone on the steps.
Richard remained there for a long time, staring out into the dark street.
She still believed she was in control.
She still believed he would protect the family’s image above everything else.
She was wrong.
Richard pulled out his phone and sent a short message to his lawyer.
We need to meet tomorrow. Bring everything.
Then he put the phone away and walked back inside.
The public mask was still in place.
May you like
But behind it, the foundation of the Sterling family was already cracking.
And Richard was done pretending he couldn’t hear it.
