Sacrifice of the Heart

Chapter 1

Fear is only in our minds
But it's taking over all the time
You poor sweet innocent thing
Dry your eyes and testify
And oh you love to hate me don't you, honey?
I'm your sacrifice

Her breathing was easy.

That was Stephanie's first observation as she quietly tiptoed into the tastefully decorated bedroom. The smell of the freshly cut lawn greeted her as it drifted through the open balcony doors. Her mother always liked them open. She loved to breathe in the summer air and catch the faint scent of the roses in the rambling lush gardens. Sometimes she would even sit in the big wingback chair so she could catch the hot rays of the sun on her face or feel the gentle whisper of the wind. It was the closest she got to experiencing outdoors now that the cancer had restricted her mobility. Unfortunately it was yet another thing the disease had taken away from her.

Sighing softly, Stephanie approached the king size bed and the covers crumpled underneath her as she sat down, careful not to disturb her mother. Her blue eyes filled with tenderness as she reached over to sweep the coarse short strands that fell across the top her forehead. It was smooth and relaxed and her face wore a peaceful expression. It seemed that in her slumber, her mother had found a brief respite from her pain and that offered a small comfort. She had been so ill lately due to the new treatment and it was beginning to take its toll physically as well as emotionally. Her skin was pale and lucid and her features were gaunt. She had lost so much weight and could barely keep any food down.

As her fingertips trailed down her warm brow, Stephanie lightly traced the prominent cheekbone that jutted out sharply. The narrow deep lines etched around her eyes and full mouth were yet more proof that the disease had ravaged her body and aged her well before her time. But no matter how frail she looked, her mother was still the most beautiful woman in the world to her. She was all that mattered. Her mother was her life and she would do anything for her. She would even marry a man she despised just so she could ease her suffering and try and hold on to her just that bit longer because quite simply, the thought of losing the most precious thing in her heart absolutely terrified her. She didn't want to let go. She wasn't ready to be alone.

Letting out a shaky breath, Stephanie placed the pads of her fingers to her lips. She kissed them gently before pressing them ever softly against her mother's slightly parted mouth and whispering her love, she rose to her feet.

The sun momentarily blinded her as she moved around the bed, her bare feet sinking into the plush navy carpet. As she approached the heavy wooden door, the sound of the gravel crunching in the driveway caught her attention and her forehead crinkled in curiosity as she glanced over at the tall sash window. Her husband wasn't due home for at least another few hours after travelling half way across the state for a business meeting. The gardener had already left cycling home on his old Raleigh bicycle and she hadn't been expecting anyone else.

Peering past the lined floral drapes, Stephanie briefly glanced around but saw nothing leading up to the garage that was hidden behind the large oak tree. Chewing on her lip thoughtfully, she quickly left the bedroom, checking once more on her mother before carefully closing the door shut. The house was in silence as she made her way along the landing and descended the grand staircase, her hand lightly gripping the banister.

She was almost at the bottom step when she heard the noise. A door had slammed in the direction of the kitchen and whoever it was had entered by the back. No-one ever used that entrance including her husband which meant there was a strong possibility her visitor was an intruder.

Licking her lips, Stephanie walked on her tiptoes feeling her heart thump madly in her chest as she grabbed an antique vase that sat on a small writing desk. Wrapping her hand around it tightly, she approached the tall square paned doors that led to the kitchen area. Her mouth set in determination, she exhaled slowly before tentatively pressing her palm against the cool glass. She pushed it quickly and crept past the opening. As her blue eyes searched around the bright airy space, they soon found what they were looking for.

He was standing by the refrigerator. His back was turned to her and she swallowed hard as she took in his size. His black t-shirt was stretched tight across his massive frame and he was tall; probably too tall for her to take a decent whack at him.

Shifting the vase in her hand, she contemplated what to do next when her intruder suddenly turned round in her direction. His eyes widened when he saw her standing there and he stood still, like he was frozen to the spot. Stephanie decided to confront him while she still had the element of surprise on her side and lifting the vase to ensure he noticed she was armed, she took a step closer, her eyes watching him carefully.

"Excuse me but what are you doing in my home?" she asked him.

Her intruder just looked at her for a moment before his expression shifted and his lips curved up into an almost cocky smile.

"It's a funny thing. I was going to ask the exact same question."

"Pardon me?"

"I see you have manners. I like it. It's definitely a huge upgrade from the last broad I found shacked up here."

His brown eyes felt like they were piercing a hole through her as they began to appraise her.

"You're a lot prettier than her too. Maybe a little younger but then the old goat always did like them that way."

Stephanie shook her head in disbelief wondering who on earth this guy was. He obviously knew John, her husband but she didn't have a clue how. She'd never seen his face around here before and it was a face she was sure she would have remembered, especially the eyes. She swore he had the most incredible brown eyes she had ever seen.

"He also liked them feisty too which explains the hostile attitude and the vase in your hand."

"I thought you were an intruder. You could still be for all I know." she explained.

His shoulders shook with his deep chuckle and she scowled at him.

"What's so funny about that? I don't know who you are and I sure as hell don't know what you are doing here."

"Well then let me make it easy on that pretty little head of yours and introduce myself." His face flickered with an unfathomable expression as he held his big hand out to her. "I'm Paul."

Stephanie was silent as she stared back at him. His feet shifted on the floor as his hand fell away and lifted to smooth over his neat ponytail.

"And I can tell from that blank look on your face that my name makes no difference to you whatsoever."

"And should it?" she asked suspiciously.

"Well I don't know. See, it all depends." he said as he stuffed his hands in his jeans pockets.

"Depends on what?"

"Well shouldn't a mom be glad to meet her new son."

As his cocky smirk beamed back at her, Stephanie felt her mouth part in surprise. She knew John had mentioned he had a son but she had no idea that son was Paul. And the fact she didn't even recognise his name showed just how little her husband had talked about him. Then again, they weren't exactly in the habit of making conversation with one another. Their marriage was nothing more than a convenient arrangement; an arrangement that had been absolutely necessary on her part.

"Unless, of course, she sees that son as a threat to her."

Paul's words brought her out of her haze and as his challenging brown eyes stared back at her, she found herself staring right back.

"And why the hell would you be a threat to me?" she snorted angrily.

Paul lifted his shoulder in a shrug, the left corner of his mouth curving into an amused smirk as he leant forward into her. "You look like an intelligent girl. I'm sure you can figure it out."

Before she could form a reply, he disappeared into the hallway, the sound of his deep laughter following on behind him.