Chapter 3: Nightmares
Esme was sitting on the floor of her house holding her side with a whimper. She heard the door to the house slam closed and the maid hurried over. "Sylvia, I'm sorry," she told the young woman, looking at the mess all over the floor.
"It's alright ma'am," the girl assured her.
Esme sat up to help her. "Ma'am, I have it," she assured her. Feeling the hot, salty tears press against her eyes, the young woman sat back against the wall with a sob.
"He is so evil!" Esme exclaimed in a hiss.
Sylvia nodded as she finished cleaning up the broken glass. The other maid, Olivia, helped Esme up from the floor and moved her upstairs.
Despite the pain in her side, the young woman held onto the bedpost as Olivia tightened the strings on her corset. She felt all alone, her parents would not help. Instead, her mother pulled her aside and told her to do something to change her attitude to make Charles 'happy'. The woman practically put all the blame on Esme.
Esme felt utterly disgusted with herself for letting this happen. The leering looks he gave her during dinner was enough to make her stomach churn. During the times he would bring his friends home, she could hear him from around the corner boasting about all the sons she would give him. She could only pray that she would not get pregnant by his monster, but if it were, God's will she hoped God would at least give her a daughter.
Looking at the gold ring on her left hand, she let out a sigh. "There you are ma'am," Olivia told her.
"Thank you," she answered quietly.
Stepping into her dress, the maid buttoned it up before tying the sash around her waist. "I don't understand it Olivia, he was such a gentleman when he would court me," she said quietly. Biting her lower lip, she willed her tears back. "I wish I knew what I did wrong that made him become so cruel to me," she whispered. Clearing her throat, she rubbed her bruising arms. "I guess that's why I purposely remember my times with Carlisle, to forget my life here in this Hell," she added before leaving the room.
During her day, Esme dusted and tried to make the house presentable for Charles when he returned home. She started checking every inch to see if something was out of place to avoid a beating that night.
As she was cleaning upstairs in the bedroom, Esme opened her trunk a small smile appearing on her face on what was inside the trunk. All the letters she and Carlisle exchanged were in a big stack along with a flower that Carlisle gave her the first day they met. Sighing sadly, she looked at all her memories from the last year that she spent with Carlisle.
She lifted up a picture she had drawn when she and Carlisle secretly escaped for a weekend. They spent a beautiful weekend by the river. The picture she drew was of Carlisle relaxing out by the water, just enjoying the sunshine. Biting her lower lip, the images of those three days started playing over in her head like a movie.
Carlisle looked over at her to see her drawing. "What are you doing love?" he asked. "I am drawing a picture of you," she replied. "Are you now?" he asked. Getting up from the ground, he walked behind her. Esme laughed when he suddenly snatched the sketchpad from her. "Carlisle!" she laughed jumping up from the ground. He held it above her head. "Is this supposed to be me?" he teased. "Yes," she answered jumping up to grab the book from him. Laughing, he kept it above her head. "I don't know my jaw isn't that squared," he commented as he examined the picture. She glared at him before running full force and jumping on him. He suddenly lost his balance and fell back on the ground, taking her with him. "Give it back," she told him. "What is the magic word?" he asked grinning. She leaned against his chest. "Please," she answered. Chuckling, Carlisle handed the sketchbook back to her before stroking her face gently. "Thank you," she whispered. "You are welcome," he answered. Smiling, Esme leaned forward brushing her lips against his. Carlisle kissed her back, moving his hand over her spine.
Esme opened her eyes, realizing she was crying. Wiping the tears from her face, she placed the sketchbook and letters back in the trunk before closing and locking it.
In a bookstore, Carlisle was standing on one of the ladders trying to find a medical book. "Come on where is it?" he muttered to himself.
"I believe what you are looking for is on the shelf behind you," a voice commented below the ladder.
Looking over his shoulder, he let out a sigh seeing that the shelf behind him filled with medical books. "Thank you," he told the person. He climbed down the ladder before coming face to face with the girl from the party. "Well what a surprise Miss Morgan correct?" he asked.
"Elizabeth, but yes," she replied smiling.
Carlisle nodded before climbing up the ladder. "And you're Mr. Cullen correct?" she asked.
"Carlisle, but yes," he replied chuckling.
The young woman blushed lightly. "Medical books, so you are becoming a doctor?" she asked.
"I am trying," he replied.
"What made you decide to become a doctor?" she asked.
Carlisle climbed down the ladder. "I just like the idea of helping people," he replied. Elizabeth pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. "I'm thinking of moving to Chicago maybe to continue my schooling there," he commented.
"Why not finish here in Ohio?" she queried curiously.
Sighing he tapped his fingers on the binding of the book. "It is very complicated," he replied. The young woman bit her lower lip, rubbing her hands together.
"Do you want to talk about it?" she suggested.
He was silent as he flipped through the book. "Not at the moment, maybe some other time," he replied. Elizabeth nodded her head slowly.
"I understand," she murmured.
Carlisle smiled a little, clearing his throat. "I should get going, I have a lot of work to do," he commented.
"It was nice seeing you again Carlisle," she answered.
"The pleasure is all mine Elizabeth," he told her forcing another smile before leaving.
