What challenges?Remi had everything, in Bianca’s opinion—the perfect home, the perfect child,hadthe perfect husband. Gerard took care of her every need. She never had to think about anything other than keeping house. Her time was hers. Bianca had long envied that life. She used to wish that Harry had been more like Gerard—strong, confident. Gerard had a larger-than-life presence and the ability to command a room like no one she’d ever known. And he never met a stranger. People naturally gravitated to him. He took great care of Remi and Zoe—ferociously protected them.
“What challenges?” Bianca asked, more sharply than she meant to, an edge of jealousy in her voice. “You have everything.”
Remi didn’t flinch. “I don’t have everything. Sure, I have physical, tangible things, but not everything that I need or want. The things that truly matter. And if you’ve forgotten, my life has changed overnight.”
Bianca’s tone softened, reminding herself that Remi was still fragile. “You’re right, sweetie. I didn’t mean to suggest …”
Remi offered a light smile. “It’s okay.”
Bianca forced some cheer into her voice. “Either way, eat up, get dressed and let’s go! We’re getting out of this house.”
“Not taking no for an answer, huh?” Remi asked.
Despite the fatigue that had been pulling at her lately, Bianca held firm. “Not at all.”
They drove through winding roads, vineyards stretching endlessly on either side. They had just parked in downtown Napa when Bianca’s phone buzzed. A text.
Unknown number:You’re not as invisible as you think, Bianca.
She gasped. Her fingers trembled against her phone.
“What is it?” Remi asked, peering over at her.
Bianca quickly locked her screen. “Nothing. Wrong number.”
Her stomach twisted.
Chapter Six
Remi
With straw hats perched upon their heads, Bianca and Remi wandered through the heart of Napa Valley—with its old town, family-run eateries and historical buildings. The first stop was Oxbow Market; a vibrant forty-thousand-square-foot marketplace nestled along the Napa River. The air buzzed with the scent of Moroccan street food, wood-fired pizzas, high-end meats, and the sweetness of freshly picked produce.
They stopped by a vintage candy shop in the heart of Napa and sampled the handmade chocolates. Bianca bought a dozen of their wine-infused truffles and had eaten nearly half of them before they even left the shop. She’d threatened to go back for a dozen more.
“These things are dangerous,” Bianca said in between bites.
“Pace yourself, sister,” Remi warned with a giggle. “In fact, gimme the bag.”
Bianca playfully slapped back Remi’s hand. “Touch these and draw back a nub.”
They both laughed heartily.
After lingering in the cozy bookstore, they found themselves tucked into an artisan café on the riverside deck, sharing a cheese board and sipping glasses of brandy, the water beside them glistening in the late-afternoon sunshine.
“This is the life.” Bianca raised her glass in the air.
Remi raised her glass too. “Can’t believe I’m drinking brandy in the middle of the day. I’m going to be an all-out alcoholic, as my daughter put it.”
Bianca laughed. “Stop.”
“It’s true. This place makes you want to drink.”
“We’re on vacation.” Bianca kept a smile plastered on, laughed in all the right places, but her fingers kept brushing against her phone, seemed to be itching to check it.
Remi narrowed her eyes. “Okay, spill. What’s going on with you?”
Bianca shook her head. “Nothing. Just tired. Didn’t sleep much.”