Smiling at Hank as he and Luis left the room, Gwen curled her legs underneath her and turned back to Sheridan. "I still can't believe everything you went through yesterday—it must have felt amazing to say all of that to your father."
"It did." Sheridan smiled softly. "I don't think I even realized how much I needed to say what I did until the words came pouring out of my mouth."
"I'm sure this has been building in you for a long time," Gwen observed.
"I think you're right." Sheridan settled back into the couch cushions. "All this time, I've felt like it was me—like I was doing something horribly wrong. That one day I was going to figure out why I wasn't lovable—learn a truth he had known all along."
"Sheridan, that's not true," Gwen insisted. "There's absolutely nothing wrong with you."
Her eyes glistening, Sheridan smiled. "Yes—it's taken me a long time, but I've finally come to realize that."
"I'm so glad you have," Gwen beamed.
"I can't tell you how freeing it felt to realize that the way my father treats me has nothing to do with me," Sheridan said, "—that he's not capable of loving anyone."
"I don't think he ever has been," Gwen said, her face deflating. "Just like my mother isn't capable of loving me."
"Oh, Gwen." Sheridan frowned. "Has anything changed with her?"
"No." Gwen shook her head. "I feel silly even talking about this. I mean, my mother is nothing compared to your father. Even though she may have gotten caught up in your father's schemes, I know she would never try to kill me."
Sheridan reached over and squeezed Gwen's hand. "That doesn't mean that the way she's been treating you doesn't hurt, though."
"You know what's crazy?" Gwen blinked back tears. "Even now—even with everything she's put me through—part of me still craves her love. Even though, in my head, I know I'm just setting myself up to be hurt, part of me just wants to run over to her and tell her I'm engaged—to have her be happy for me."
"Of course you feel that way," Sheridan said. "She's your mother. It's only natural for you to want to share this with her."
"There's nothing natural about my relationship with her. Most of the time, it doesn't get to me—but, sometimes, it really does." Gwen buried her head in her hands. "Even with everything that has happened between me and Theresa, Pilar is still kinder to me than my own mother is."
Sheridan scooted over and put one arm up around Gwen. "That's because Pilar sees past your mistakes to the kind and compassionate woman you are."
"Tell that to my mother," Gwen groaned. "She has this way of turning everything around on me—of trying to make me feel guilty—even when she's the one doing hurtful things."
"I know exactly how that feels," Sheridan said.
"I know you do." Gwen looked up at her. "But the way you just stood up to your father—it gives me hope that I'll be able to do something similar one day—that I'll be able to figure out a way to stop my mother from hurting me."
"You will." Sheridan squeezed her arm. "If anyone can do it, it's you."
Gwen laughed softly. "I just wish I were as brave as you, Sheridan."
Sheridan smiled at her, her eyes glistening. "It's funny that you say that, Gwen—there have been more times than I can count that I've felt the same way about you."
