The Past Is Mine To Bury
Linda's voice trembled with emotion as she asked Loretta,
"Do you remember how we met?" Loretta's eyes narrowed, wondering why Linda was bringing up the past after all these years. But Linda's intent was clear – she had a point to make.
"I was different, I have always been different." Linda said with a soft but angry tone.
"And you were battered, left for dead in the middle of the street by the love of your life. I saved your life, Loretta. He came after me, but I fought back to save you." Loretta's expression changed from confusion to defensiveness.
She didn't understand why Linda was furious, but Linda felt betrayed and let down. Loretta had been secretly seeing Francis, her ex-husband who had brutally battered her and left her to die.
"You have no regard for me," Linda said, "He tried to kill you, and you are going back to him?" Loretta scoffed,
"You've never been married, you don't know what it's like." But Linda countered,
"I may not know what marriage is like, but I know what is wrong – and going back to that monster is wrong. What example are you setting for your children?" Loretta explained that Francis had apologized and begged for a second chance, citing their children's needs.
Loretta had forgiven him, wanting to be with her children again. But Linda saw it as betrayal.
"If it was the right thing to do, you wouldn't do it in secret," Linda said firmly.
"You knew I'd be against it, so you hid it from me." Loretta retorted,
"It's my life, I have the right to decide what I want for myself." Linda shook her head, her eyes filled with tears.
"A leopard can never change its skin. He will kill you, but this time, he will watch you take your last breath." She turned and walked away. Loretta whispered,
"He won't get a chance, not this time." As Linda stepped out of their cozy hut, she was surprised to see Mr. Cole and Lilian waiting for her at the doorstep. Lilian had been waiting for Lina at the high town, but she never showed up, so she asked Mr. Cole for help.
He then took her to Linda's home, using directions from the friendly locals. Linda was a well-known radical but lovely figure in town, and her warm smile welcomed Lilian and Mr. Cole.
"Hello!" Lilian exclaimed, barely showing her excitement.
"I'm sure you weren't expecting me, but I've been eager to see you again." Linda apologized for not being available earlier, because of her busy schedule.
"Good morning," she said, greeting both Lilian and Mr. Cole. They exchanged pleasantries, and Lilian presented Linda with a fruit basket, remembering the etiquette lesson she learned about never visiting someone empty-handed.
Just then, Loretta emerged from the hut, and Linda introduced her to the visitors. After a brief exchange of greetings, Loretta excused herself and left the trio. Mr. Cole, mindful of Lilian's allergies, took a stroll around the area to ensure it was safe for Lilian.
As he walked, he noticed a figure under a nearby tree, humming a happy tune while knitting a sweater. It was Eleanor, smiling and day-dreaming. As Mr. Cole approached Eleanor, she stopped humming and looked up, startled, when she noticed a shadow on the ground. She quickly stood up with her eyes fixed on the stranger.
"Did I startle you, my dear?" Mr. Cole asked, but Eleanor remained silent, her hands clutching to her skirt.
"I apologize, I didn't mean to frighten you, please forgive me," he said with a gentle voice. Eleanor nodded slightly, acknowledging his greeting, but didn't speak. Mr. Cole introduced himself, and Eleanor recognized him as the butler of House Catwright, just as Wade had described.
"You must be Eleanor," he said, surprised.
"What a coincidence that you live here!" Eleanor wasn't surprised, knowing that Wade had mentioned Mr. Cole. She simply nodded again, allowing Mr. Cole sits beside her. He chatted about the beautiful weather and the safe environment suitable for Lilian. Eleanor replied briefly,
"We do our best, sir." Mr. Cole smiled, "Oh, she speaks!" He continued,
"I've heard so much about you from Wade." Eleanor blushed, her hand fidgeting with her knitting. Mr. Cole noticed but pressed on,
"He loves you; I know he does. He's always loved you. The boy reads poetry all night and day for you. Tell me, child, how do you feel about him?" Eleanor confessed how deeply she cared for Wade. Mr. Cole asked directly,
"Do you love him?" Eleanor nodded, and Mr. Cole's expression turned serious.
"I want to ensure it's safe for my boy to love you. I've watched him since the day he was born, more than his own father. He's like a son to me. Do you love him enough to protect him?" Eleanor nodded again. Mr. Cole's next question caught her off guard.
"Why are you still married to Daemon? That part has always been unclear to me. He's a mad man, Daemon." Eleanor looked shocked, but Mr. Cole reassured her,
"Don't worry, I know everything, as does Wade. He is simply trying to earn your trust." Eleanor explained she hadn't seen Daemon in years and assumed he'd forgotten her. After all, the last time she saw him, he was happy with his lover and his bastard. Mr. Cole's response was stern.
"Wrong! Your husband has gone berserk. He is searching for you like a ghost with no grave." Eleanor's eyes widened in surprise.
"Yes, he's dangerous. Can you protect Wade? If not, it's best you return to your husband and spare my boy the trouble." Mr. Cole's words hung in the air, filled with concern for Wade's well-being. Eleanor's eyes widened in confusion.
"I only know Daemon to be assertive, egotistic, and arrogant, but not insane. What exactly is going on?" she asked. Mr. Cole raised an eyebrow with a serious expression,
"You only saw the side of him he wanted you to see," he said.
"Daemon is a psychopath, fucking unhinged and dangerous. His mother has trained him to hide this trait since he was 12 years old."
Eleanor's curiosity and confusion deepened.
"How can that be? Mother…Madam Emily was kind to me all the time, she seemed to challenge Daemon, never coddled him. "Mr. Cole scoffed.
"The Windsors are masters of secrets and deception. They prioritize their family's interests, and yet make morality their banner. You escaped Daemon, and it could have been worse." Eleanor's eyes dropped with shame.
"How worse?" she asked hesitantly. Mr. Cole chucked.
"You've seen Wade naked, haven't you?" Eleanor nodded with eyes fixed on the ground,
"The scar on his chest, near his heart, was given to him by Daemon when Wade was Two years old. Daemon stabbed him with a box cutter, and his mother dismissed it as a child's curiosity." Eleanor's eyes snapped, and her face became pale with shock. She struggled to process the information.
Madam Emily, who had always been kind to her, had protected Daemon's dark secrets. She felt like she was living in a nightmare. Mr. Cole's words cut through her thoughts.
"Madam Emily only protects what serves the interests of House Windsor, not out of love or kindness. The family is shrouded in darkness, with secrets that would make your blood run cold." Eleanor's breath caught in her throat as she tried to absorb the truth.
"Can you protect Wade?" Mr. Cole asked again. Meanwhile, Linda was keeping Lilian busy in the kitchen, teaching her how to bake. However, Lilian's clumsiness got the better of her, and she ended up making a mess with the flour. Instead of scolding her, Linda burst out laughing at the sight.
Lilian looked at her in surprise. She had never seen anyone laugh at her mistakes before. Usually, she was reprimanded for making a mess. Linda noticed Lilian's stunned expression and quickly reassured her,
"It's okay, it's just flour. We can clean it up easily." Lilian's face lit up with gratitude, she ran to hug Linda tightly, tears of joy welled up in her eyes.
"Thank you," she whispered softly. Linda was taken aback by the sudden hug but was touched by Lilian's emotions. However, she couldn't reciprocate the hug because her hands were covered in flour, and she didn't want to ruin Lilian's expensive dress.
"It's just one dress, I have many." Lilian said softly. As they hugged, Mr. Cole cleared his throat to announce his presence. Linda saw Eleanor standing with him and exclaimed,
"Oh, you've met Eleanor!" Mr. Cole whispered something to Eleanor,
"Let us remember our promises," and smiled at her before leaving with Lilian. Eleanor hesitated, then nodded after he left. Lilian turned and waved at Linda, saying goodbye. As they left, Linda turned to Eleanor and asked,
"What was that about? Are you moving from the master to the butler?" she winked. Eleanor rolled her eyes and said,
"You're so unserious! Where's dinner?" she walked into the house, grabbed some bread, and began thinking about her conversation with Mr. Cole while Linda yapped about being a slave that has to feed everybody.