Disclaimer:I don't own TDI or any of the characters.
A/N:I know I should update "After the Aftermath" and I'll try to do so tomorrow, but I had an idea for a DxC fanfic that I decided to post. The characters may be a bit OOC. Tell me what you think—R&R!
She slowly opened the wooden door. It opened silently, stealthily almost. Other women would have been shocked by the sight she saw in the bedroom, but not Courtney. Such revelations as this one had become all too commonplace for Courtney Whitehouse. Her arrogant, philandering husband lying naked in bed, in their bed, with some blonde bimbo. She wasn't shocked, just hurt. Shaking her head in sadness, she ignored his pleas as she stalked out of their house.
The car screeched as she made a violent right turn. She drove quickly, probably speeding, but didn't care. Maybe years ago, she would have, but it didn't matter anymore. Before she realized what she was doing, she found herself pulling into Lincolnshire Park. Years ago, it had been her and Duncan's park. Now it was their, their nothing.
That choice hand been her own, and it had also been one of her greatest regrets. Sure, she loved her son, but she felt…empty. The feeling was inescapable and had followed her through the years. And it had been many years.
She had been given the choice between Duncan, who no matter how rebellious he was, had loved her with all of his heart, and Jack, a playboy from a prominent family. And again, she had chosen money and power over love. Over the years, that feeling of remorse often rang through the halls of her house.
Now, staring down at the cool blue waters of the lake, she shook her head in sadness. Tears were threatening to fall out of her tired eyes at any moment, and she stubbornly refused to let them escape her eyes. They were the bitter tears of sadness, of loss, and of regret.
And then, there was the anger. When she had met him, Jack had been a hotshot partner in one of the world's largest law firms, and she had been delighted. Later, he traded the law for politics and ended up a senator. But still, the money and power, the prestige, felt meaningless. She had no purpose in life, nothing to work for. She was just the unhappy wife of a philandering senator.
Worse, she didn't love him. Maybe at the beginning, she had felt some amount of affection for Jack, but now, she felt nothing but loathing and disgust. However, Courtney knew instinctively that she had never been in love with him. As much as she hated to acknowledge it, her heart had always and would always belong to Duncan.
On days like this one, where the wind blew and the leaves fell, she could almost feel the protective sensation of his warm arms around her. Closing her eyes, she could still remember the taste of his lips, the way his eyes lit up when he saw her, and then…the dejection and heartbreak written all over his face as she had walked away. In each bittersweet memory, he seemed just within reach and yet so far away.
Courtney sighed and rested her trembling hands on the railing overlooking the northern edge of the lake. Even after so many years had passed, something still drew her to Lincolnshire Park. Oftentimes, she saw teenagers wandering the grounds, arm in arm, and it reminded her so much of her past. She could only smile thinly and sadly shake the feelings of sorrow away.
Deep in thought, she didn't hear the man coming up behind her. And then, she heard the husky voice she never thought that she would hear again. "Hello, princess. It's been a while."
Liked it? Hated it? Should I continue this one or not? R&R!