I'M BACK! :DDD Ok, so this is kind of a filler chapter...but...it has some important things in it. No chapter playlist, since it's short.
Tessa returned home smiling, much to her mothers dismay.
"Theresa, what are you grinning about?"
"Nothing."
"Did you go visit William?"
Tessa narrowed her eyes. "Maybe."
Her mother chose that moment to look down at Tessa's hand. "Theresa! What in God's name is that?"
"A ring."
"Did William give it to you?"
"Yes, it's my engagement ring."
With a murderous look in her eye, she ripped the ring off her finger. "No daughter of mine will be wearing an engagement ring from some affair she's having."
"MOTHER! Give it back!" Tessa shrieked. She tried to grab it from her mother, but she held it above her head.
"Mommy! Please!" she begged.
"No, Theresa. In fact, I think it would do you well to forget about William. You are 17, it's time for you to marry Henry. I will talk to Mrs. Branwell about having the wedding in a week's time."
"NO!" Tessa sobbed. "Please, mother!"
"Tessa, I don't care. You will obey your parents."
"But I won't be treated as a pawn. Because that's what I am to you. I'm just a piece in your game," she spat.
Tessa felt a sudden stinging on her cheek. She looked up at her mother, who was holding a hand to her mouth, horrified at what she had done. "Tessa, I'm so sorry," she tried to amend, but Tessa cut her off. "Don't apologize. You're not sorry, and you never will be." She spun on her heel and stormed to her room, leaving her mother standing shocked in the kitchen.
Tessa slammed the door to her room, her mind reeling. Sitting down at her desk, she took out a piece of paper and began to write to Jem.
James,
You may not remember me, but this is Tessa Gray writing. You and the crew stayed at my house a while back, last Christmas. I am writing on behalf of Will Herondale. I don't know if he told you why he resigned, but he did it because we ran away together. We had been living in New York for about six months when I got a call from my brother telling me to come home again. We drove back home and, as you might recall, my father is the mayor. He arrested Will for kidnapping me, and now Will is in jail. Of course he is innocent; I willingly went with him, but my family thinks that he was drugging me. I am writing to you because Will and I are desperate; I am to be married to my betrothed in a few day's time and Will is stuck in jail. I tried bailing him out, but since my father is the mayor, he wouldn't approve the bail money.
I do not know how busy your life is, or even if you will get this in time. But I talked to Will and he had faith in you. He said you would do anything for him, so I am begging you to help us, or him for that matter, because I know that you do not really know me all that well. Maybe if you could come and visit me in Greenville, we could talk. There is a hotel in town; Will and I would be more than happy to pay for your stay with what money we have.
I sincerely appreciate your help in this matter. Will and I will never be able to repay you for such a favor.
Sincerely,
Theresa Gray
Tessa sealed the envelope, addressed it, and tucked it in her purse. She checked to see how much cash she had with her. $10.00. Hopefully, that was enough for a speed delivery. After all, this was her last chance for freedom.
She had one more thing to do before she mailed the letter. Get her ring back. She intended to find it, and wear it proudly. Slowly, she crept down the stairs to the kitchen. There was a note from her mother apologizing and saying she was at the grocery store. Tessa tossed it aside, scoffing. She searched the counters and all the drawers. No luck. She tried every room downstairs, and still hadn't found it.
Climbing back up the steps, she made her way to her parent's room. Her mother was out, and her father was at work, so she was safe for the time being.
She checked in their nightstand drawers. She checked in their closet. She checked in their bathroom. She shone a flashlight down their bathroom sink, just to make sure her mother hadn't thrown it down the drain. Losing hope, she started searching places it wouldn't be. She looked in her father's slippers at the end of the bed. She looked behind the potted plant in the corner. She got on her hands and knees and checked under the bed. Nothing.
Angrily, she started throwing things, slamming drawers, not caring if she made a mess. Tessa irritably pried open her mother's antique jewelry box, and gaped. There, shining back at her was her ring. She grinned and snatched it up, slipping it on her finger.
Bingo.
ALRIGHTY THEN! Like I said, I probably won't be updating every day now. :( Expect the next chapter this weekend sometime.
Also, I just wanted to say:
OMIGOSH 36 REVIEWS LALALALA! THANK YOU GUYS SOOOOO MUCH YOU ARE THE BEST! It may not seem like a lot to you...BUT IT IS TO ME! When I first posted this story, I was expecting like 10 for the whole thing...so THANK YOU VERY MUCH! :D
As always, keep reviewing, I love to know what you think!
