The Second Time Around

CHAPTER NINE: The Trust Exercise

The first real challenge of Family Connections was a trust exercise.

Each couple would be blindfolded, with one partner navigating the other through an obstacle course. The navigator could only use words, no physical guidance, no visual cues. The catch was that the course was designed to create fear. Narrow paths. Heights. The sound of water below.

"This is bullshit," Alexander said, looking at the obstacle course. "This is designed to make us panic so the cameras can get good footage."

"Probably," Selene agreed. "But it's still an opportunity. To prove to each other that we can be trusted."

When it was their turn, Selene was blindfolded. She stood at the start of the course, unable to see, surrounded by equipment she could sense but not see.

"I'm right here," Alexander said, and his voice was different. Softer. "I can see everything. I'm going to guide you through."

"Okay."

"Step forward. Slowly. That's right. Now step left. No, your other left. That's right. Now forward, three steps. There's a barrier at chest height. Duck under it."

His voice was patient. Encouraging. He described every obstacle with care, made sure she understood before she moved forward.

"There's a balance beam. It's narrow, but it's stable. You've walked tighter ropes than this at the gym. This is nothing."

"What if I fall?"

"I won't let you fall. I've got you."

She made it across the beam, her foot wobbling, and she reached out instinctively.

Alexander caught her hand.

"You're not supposed to touch me," she protested.

"These producers don't own me," he said flatly. "If you fall, I fall with you."

She finished the course with surprising speed. When she pulled off her blindfold, Alexander was right there, his eyes searching her face.

"Are you all right?" he asked.

"I'm perfect." She threw her arms around him. "You were amazing, Alex. You never gave up on me. Even when I was scared, even when I was stumbling, you kept guiding me."

"That's what I do," he said. "That's what love is. Guiding each other through the dark."

The other couples watched in stunned silence.

Mrs. Tsai looked uncomfortable, like she'd just realized she'd misjudged him. Elena Westbrook's eyes glistened with something that looked like envy. Marcus Westbrook cleared his throat and looked away.

"Mr. Vanderbilt, your wife trusted you completely," Samantha said, her voice awed. "How does that feel?"

Alexander looked directly at Selene and said: "Like I just won a billion-dollar deal. Except better. Better because money means nothing compared to this."