Thank you Gretchie for perfectly edited chapter!

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CHAPTER XIV

New Opportunities

Without knocking on the door, he stormed in. He was trying hard to hide his anger, but it was impossible. Within an hour he would know everything she may or may not have done. He couldn't believe that the woman he once had feelings for was capable of such horrible deeds.

Jane turned around when she heard him enter. Her dark brown hair was perfectly tied in a bun and her white skin seemed to be glowing under the light of an old lamp. When he looked her she reminded so very much on Cora, but at the same time, they were so very different.

"Robert!" A happy smile crept across Jane's face. Her voice echoed in the tiny room. Being alone in a room with Robert was something she had been fantasizing of since she had moved into the house, and now it had come true. Just the two of them.

Not saying a word, he closed the door behind him. He approached her slowly, stopping when he stood just a few steps away from her.

"I'm so glad you came!" Jane exclaimed, looking in his ocean-blue eyes. She had no knowledge of her failed plan. She only hoped that they'd pick up where they left off, the same time the Spanish flu had attacked, but unfortunately, Robert's face didn't reveal any happiness. He just stared at her. Her smile slowly faded. She took a step closer and began to wrap her arm in his.

"What do you think you are doing?" The cold tone in his quiet voice made her freeze on the spot.

"W-what do you mean? I don't understand?" She was angry at herself in the moment, because her voice, shaky and weak, betrayed her uneasiness. Trying hard to regain her strength and confidence back, she tried to turn around, but Robert's strong arm grabbed Jane's wrist.

"Stop pretending!" Robert lost his cool and he tightenened his grip on Jane's wrist. "You understand me very well... and don't try to trick me. I know you're behind Cora's fall and only God knows what else you tried to do to her!" His voice became harsh and deep. His eyes were like glass, sharp and cutting. She could almost feel the slicing across her face each time she looked at him.

"So what if I am behind it? So what if I did do that?!" Jane knew that she couldn't lie to him. He would discover it eventually.

"So what?!" This time he yelled at her, not caring if anyone could hear them. "You almost killed my unborn child and you put Cora through so much pain! So what?!" He let go of her hand, a disgusted face on his features.

Almost killed? Jane repeated that one word of his sentence in her head. It seemed that her plan hadn't succeeded. But there was still time.

"I did all that because I wanted to give us a chance, and apparently Cora is a big problem." Jane shook her head, her voice full of anger.

"What chance? I do not love you, Jane! I love Cora and I'll only love Cora for the rest of my life! Is that not clear enough?"

"Of course you love me!" She shivered from his words. Doesn't love me? It's impossible! "Then why did you kiss me if you love her?"

"That was a moment of weakness. Cora and I had some issues then, and you seemed a good replacement in the moment." Robert knew how badly his words will hurt Jane, but to be honest, he didn't care anymore.

"Replacement?!" She whispered, her eyes filled with tears. "But what about us, Robert?" She placed her palm on his chest.

"There is no us, Jane! I allowed you to stay here against Cora's wishes and it wasn't because I loved you. It was because I pity you." He removed Jane's hand. "No matter how hard you tried to ruin mine and Cora's life, you failed at it. We're happy and we're expecting a child and there's nothing more you can do about it." He bitterly scowled at the woman... the woman he couldn't recognize anymore.

His words made her heart bleed. Her tears grew bigger and her sobs louder.

"I still can't believe that you tried to poison them. That's crazy, even for you!"

"But I'd never hurt you!" Jane loved Robert too deeply to ever hurt him. She lifted her gaze and looked at him. Her cheeks and eyes were red from crying.

"If you hurt my family, you hurt me." Robert backed away and headed towards the door. "The only reason I won't have you killed is because I'm not the same as you. I want you to live knowing how happy I am with Cora. I want you to live knowing I prefer Cora over you and it'll forever stay that way." He pulled the doorknob, turning his head to give her one last look. "I want you to leave by tomorrow morning, and never come back!" With those words he disappeared.

"Wait!" She tried to yell, but only a whisper came from her throat. Jane was feeling heartbroken for the first time in her life. She managed to take a few steps backwards until she reached the wall. She placed her back against it and slid down until she found herself on the floor, crying her eyes out. He left! He left me forever!

Robert climbed the stairs, breathing heavily. He was trying hard to calm himself down. He was still so angry and there were still so many questions he had, but he didn't dare ask. He just wanted this to be over, he wanted Cora to be alright, and he wanted Jane to leave.

Finally Robert reached their bedroom, but he didn't open the door right away. He leaned over the railing and looked at the large room beneath him with the intention to calm himself down before Cora saw him. He remembered when he first married Cora, she didn't quite like the look of the entrance hall so she made a few changes. She has always had a sense for decorating. Even Violet, who didn't agree with anything American, had expressed her approval.

When he decided to open the door, Robert almost hit O'Brien. Sarah was just leaving the room.

"I apologize." He smiled at the woman.

"It's alright, milord." O'Brien stood next to him, ready to leave.

"How's she doing?" Robert turned his gaze from O'Brien to his wife who was sleeping on the bed.

"I waited until Lady Grantham fell asleep. I didn't want to leave her alone." Sarah looked at Robert. "But her Ladyship made great progress today, I must say." She smiled, showing Robert an empty platter she was holding in her arms. "She ate everything."

"Indeed!" He chuckled quietly, careful not to wake up Cora.

"I'm going now. Call me if you need anything." O'Brien smiled and gave one last look at peacefully sleeping Cora before leaving.

As soon as O'Brien left, Robert swapped his formal suit for a robe in his dressing room. Before climbing into bed he stopped and looked at Cora. She looked so angelic and vulnerable at the same time. I'm one lucky man! Robert slowly shifted onto the bed, trying to make as little noise as possible. Cora didn't notice his presence until the mattress dipped under his weight

"You're here." Her voice was soft and sleepy, and she moved a little bit to make space for him.

"I'm sorry I woke you up." Robert laid down, allowing Cora to rest her head on his shoulder.

"You're definitely not the first and probably not the last." She sighed tiredly into his chest, feeling his hand on her back. "I had a very interesting chat with O'Brien."

"Did you really?"

"She told me about Jane... and she told me that you know too. That was the topic you two wanted to discuss before... well, you know." She felt Robert's hand tighten its grip around her.

"I don't think she should have told you that while you're in this condition."

"I would have found out eventually, and besides I'm happy she told me. I'm glad somebody else shares my hatred of Jane." Cora wanted to free herself from his hug, but he was too strong and she felt too tired, too weak so she kept resting her head agains his shoulder.

"What does that mean?" Robert frowned in confusion, knowing that Cora couldn't see his face.

"It means that she did so many horrible things and you still kept her in our house! She wanted to kill us, for heavens sake!" She shook Robert with her hand when she felt anger going through her again. "You still have feelings for her, don't you?" Cora closed her eyes, not wanting to hear an answer.

"Where's all that coming from?" Robert felt her breathing heavily against his chest. "Cora, I just told her to leave Downton once and for all." Cora instantly turned her head to look at him. The pair of blue eyes met another. "The only reason I didn't have her killed is because of her poor son."

"Is it really over? Forever?" Cora waited for his answer impatiently, her eyes wandering on his face.

"Forever! And it hurts that you still think I have feelings for her." He frowned this time, so Cora could clearly see it.

"I just can't help myself." She added a half smile on her face, lowering her head on his shoulder again.

"Now, the other topic we have to discuss is your mother." His British accent came out strongly.

"My mother? What this has to do with her?"

"Well, I heard her name mentioned in the library. Our daughters probably discussed her coming." He rolled his eyes, knowing how Cora's mother and his mother got along.

"She is going to come when the baby is born, but I'll write her so she can decide for sure." Cora let out a yawn, giving Robert a warning that she was about to fall asleep.

"Oh, one more thing darling."

"Yes." Cora nuzzled against his shoulder, preparing herself for a long sleep.

"O'Brien showed me an empty platter you left behind. You did a really, really good job for someone who said 'I don't have an appetite', my dear." He let out a quick laugh and planted a soft kiss on her forehead.

"Stop right there Robert! Don't blame me, I'm only half responsible." Cora chuckled and put her hand over her tummy.

Robert was keeping her close to him, their hands entwined on her belly, and they both fell asleep, hoping for a better tomorrow.

Enjoyed in some cute moments between these two? Well, better enjoy them while they last.. Is Jane the past now or a new problematic chapter of their life, hmm?

Warning: Next chapter will not be recommended for persons under the age of 16, so be prepared!