That evening, the Harringtons were gathered for dinner, a quiet affair at their long dinner table.They were one of the three oldest and wealthiest families in the city, alongside the Whitmores and the Lawsons. Their estates stood within minutes of each other, and their children had grown up attending the same private schools. That's how William, Evans, and Chris had become best friends growing up.
Kate Harrington sat beside her mother Vivian Harrington, trying to stay focused on her plate, but Vivian's voice inevitably broke the silence.
"Kate," Vivian began, setting down her glass of wine, "don't forget about your dinner with Adam tomorrow. He's a respectable young man, and quite interested in you."
Kate sighed softly. "Mom, not this again. I told you, I don't like Adam."
"You don't have to like him immediately, dear. You can learn to. You're twenty Four now, it's the perfect time to think about your future. Even William, who's just slightly older than you, is now married." Vivian continued patiently.
Kate's fork paused. "Mom," she said, her tone sharp, "William's marriage isn't what you think."
Vivian frowned. "What do you mean?"
Kate dropped her fork, and leaned back in her chair, folding her arms. "It was arranged. Some deal between his grandmother and the girl's family. He married a low life actress no one's ever heard of. I can't even remember her name. Brianna something. The marriage won't last. Everyone knows it."
Vivian gave her daughter a sharp look. "Kate, that's not a kind way to speak."
"It's true," Kate insisted. "William doesn't even want the press to know he's married, and, he came straight back to work yesterday after the wedding. He didn't even take a honeymoon break. Does that sound like a real marriage to you?"
Her mother sighed, shaking her head. "Even if it isn't, that's his business, not yours."
Kate's eyes softened just slightly. "It's my business Mom. I care. And I don't want people assuming things when they see us together. He is not cheating on her with me. He doesn't love her."
Vivian gave a small laugh. "Oh, people already assume plenty. That's why I keep telling you..stop letting the media catch you with him. He's a married man now."
Kate's jaw tightened. "You think I don't know that?"
The room fell quiet, broken only by the soft ticking of the clock on the wall.
Then Vivian spoke again, her tone gentler than before. "I don't want you to be heartbroken, my dear. I don't know why William agreed to this marriage, but knowing him, if he truly didn't want it, no one would have forced him to marry her. You must understand that. No one forced him."