Chapter 29
Erik's POV
When we arrived home Christine immediately made a dash for her room, leaving me alone to handle my mother. I couldn't say I blamed her, the woman was a snake, but I was sure if I had to endure this another night I would go insane. The only silver lining was that Madeline was beginning to look just as tired as I felt. It seems Christine didn't take Madeline's insults lying down, in fact, she actually seemed to get under Madeline's skin unlike anyone else ever had.
I supposed that was just Christine being her angelic self, her purity bringing the worst out in Madeline. Of course, that wasn't always a good thing, causing quite a few more shouting matches between Madeline and I than even I could imagine.
"So, how was the little songbird's rehearsal?" Madeline quipped next to me. I felt a headache coming on as she continued, "Was she as ideal as always?"
Not in the mood to start another dispute, I breezed past her shrugging, "How would I know?"
"Because you weren't in the house like you're pretending you were," she called after me.
I stopped mid-stride, jerking my head back to meet her eyes. I realized my mistake too late, witnessing the satisfaction spread across her face. Clearing her throat, Madeline smiled before stating, "You weren't in the house."
Taking a deep breath I approached my mother, warning, "I was nowhere of any consequence to you. I am no longer a boy trapped by the fear of you looming over my head, and I can come and go as I please. I've had enough of this Madeline. We're done, and before you decide to throw one of your tantrums, consider my fair warning several months ago."
Madeline's feature's betrayed her, a flash of utter terror ghosting in her eyes before they suddenly hardened. She set her jaw, barking, "So, that's how it is? You'll turn your back on your own mother, over some whore who got knocked up as a teenager? You'll turn away the only women who will ever tolerate you, despite your defor-"
"Erik!" Antoinette interrupted, stopping me a moment before I would have lunged at my mother.
I took in a deep breath, stepping away from her before answering, "Yes. What is it?"
Antoinette looked uneasy, staring intently at me before announcing, "Dinner is almost ready, would you please let Charlotte know?"
"I'll do it," Madeline answered. Before I could say anything against it she continued as she strutted up the stairs, "The beast is in no mood to do anyone any favors tonight."
My eyes widened at her audacity, growling as I made my way towards the stairs. Antoinette's sharp warning halted me. "Ah ah, Erik. Leave it be."
"I'm going to murder that woman, Antoinette," I vowed. "She is trying my patience tonight, and I'll be damned if I let her get away with it!"
Rubbing at her temples Antoinette led me towards the dining room, reminding me, "It's her last night here Erik. If you meant what you said then that means for good. Let's just weather the storm tonight and not do anything rash, if we stay calm then we win and she loses."
"I can't think of the end game Antoinette," I raged. "This woman will never stop- she's the devil I swear! She's planning something… I can feel it."
"Erik Destler," Antoinette finally snapped, causing me to jolt and stiffen. "Look at how far we have come. We have protected Christine and Anya for more than three months now, and as long as we can get through tonight then everything will be fine. Don't let Madeline get in your head or you'll tip your hand. Just remain calm."
Taking a seat in my usual chair, I let my head fall into my hands. A few more hours. It is only a matter of toughing this out for a few more hours. Looking up at the woman who was the closest thing I had now to a sister, I nodded. "Thank you, Antoinette."
"I'm always here for you if you need me," she offered. "By the way, have you heard from Amir recently?"
I shook my head, "No. The last time we were in contact was a quick report, some rumor that Buquet was spotted in France working at some theatre or other. No word other than that; he's still underground."
Madeline picked that moment to return, forcing Antoinette and I to put our conversation on hold. Madeline remained standing towards the end of the table, apparently waiting for Antoinette to leave. Recognizing her dismissal Antoinette returned to the kitchen to gather the plates in order to set the table.
My eyes strayed to Madeline's suddenly gleeful form. I groaned inwardly, watching grimly as she flounced into the seat next to me. Not in the mood for her games I gritted, "Go. Away."
The sigh she released was too dramatic even for the theatre, tapping her nails on the table before lamenting, "It really is a shame that I am forbidden from ever coming back. I can be useful. Unlike you, I can read people."
Rolling my eyes, I regretfully took the bait, "What do you mean?"
"Oh, just your precious Charlotte." She tsked, "The little tramp has been playing you like a fiddle, and you are too in love with her to even see it."
"All you are currently doing is strengthening my resolve to cut you out of my life," I leered at her desperation. "Charlotte is by no means a tramp, and definitely has not been playing me."
Madeline quirked an eyebrow, "But you are in love with her?"
"And what if I am?" I shot back, knowing that I was in love with Christine so there was no point to lie. The best course of action right now would be to take away her ammunition.
"Then you are a fool," Madeline seethed. "Charlotte already has someone who will wine and dine her, probably even pay for that brat of hers. She's using you until she can put a ring on her finger and seal the deal."
"That is ridiculous," I fumed. "I'm done with this conversation."
"I'm not," Madeline snapped. "You will listen to me Erik Destler! Ever since your sister died you have done one reckless thing after another. You quit your prestigious job for- whatever it is you do now that doesn't pay half as much, you spend what little money you do have on that waste of time you call the theatre, and- what else? Oh yes, you horribly disfigured yourself to where no woman will ever want you."
"That's not true!" I bellowed. "And what business is it of yours how I live my life? You've never cared before."
"No, I didn't. I care now because I won't be kept in the dark for two years like last time!" Madeline sneered.
I chuckled in spite, "That still burns doesn't? It eats you alive every day that you could have gained so much from father's death, but were too self-involved to pretend to care enough to weasel your way back into this family."
Rising from her seat Madeline shrieked, "Family! What family? You were a disaster before the disfigurement, visibly teetering on a murderous edge every second. Your sister may have been from your father's whore, but at least she wasn't psychotic!"
Madeline paused here as Antoinette returned with the plates and silverware. I could tell she was thinking of what to say next, while I attempted to follow Antoinette's advice and swallow my anger. Then, Madeline crossed the line, "Actually, I take that back. Even if you are slightly psychotic, at least you're smart enough to know that no women would love a face like that. Your sister was stupid enough to believe that even with this family's history in love, she could still find someone and be happy. But you see where that got her; a widow with a miscarriage that drove her six feet under. So, really, she ended up just about as lucky as you."
Now, my control was gone. In the next instant Madeline found her air supply cut off, my hand wrapped tightly around her throat. Antoinette rushed to us, trying to talk to me and pry my hand away from my dear mother's neck, but I kept her at bay as I growled, "How dare you even speak of Amelia. What happened to her was a tragedy, and to say otherwise is simply barbaric! You are the type of scum on this Earth that does not deserve the right to live, and if I could bring Amelia back by taking your life right now, I would!"
Madeline's eyes began to roll back into her skull while Antoinette's pleading to stop finally registered in my mind. Showing a mercy I did not know I was capable of, I released my grip. Antoinette stepped in between Madeline and me for fear of what else I might do in my anger. Madeline clutched at her throat, gasping for air and glaring at me with unconcealed hatred in her eyes.
"You are wrong," I stated simply. "Amelia was superior to both of us, and there will never be anyone as brave or as wonderful as her. Charlotte on the other hand, has more strength and kindness in her pinky finger than you have in your entire body. She may not have seen my face yet, but I believe… I believe she could love me one day."
We stood there in silence, Madeline allowing her hand to fall to her side. Our simultaneous glaring could have gone on forever if Christine and Anya had not shown up. Antoinette cleared her throat to alert both of us to their presence. I snapped my head in their direction, seeing a frightened Anya with a cautious Christine clutching onto her. I knew they hadn't seen or heard what I had just done, but the shame coursed through me as if they had.
Madeline returned her attention to me after a moment, goading, "You think so…you really think so?"
My blood was boiling, my hands longing to return to their previous task as my gaze slowly fell from Christine and Anya's to meet hers. Every muscle in my body screamed to tear her a part, but I fought it, a sudden chill racing up my spine at her look of victory. I backed away from Antoinette slowly, immediately on edge. I prayed that I hadn't just compromised Christine or Anya in any way.
Antoinette brushed passed Madeline with a steady glare, announcing with finality, "We should eat before it gets cold. Everyone have a seat."
None of us argued, allowing silence to smother us at the table as we ate. Anya, never one to deal with tension well, decided to speak up. "Are you sad about leaving tomorrow?"
I scoffed, throwing back half of my wine and keeping my focus centered on my meal. I certainly won't be sad when the devil is gone. Madeline gave some long over-done answer that I completely ignored. It was only when Christine spoke next that I forced myself to pay attention.
"I hope you have safe travels. Where exactly are you returning to?"
Madeline always was one to brag about her travelling, but this time I wished she hadn't; her answer causing my stomach to sink. Smiling that poisonous smile she replied, "Thank you dear, but I'm not travelling too far. I'm reconnecting with an old flame of mine."
"That's nice," Anya ignorantly commented. "What's his name?"
"Joseph." Madeline answered calmly.
I had attempted to take another drink to calm myself, but nearly let the glass slip through my fingers when I heard her answer. Christine was just barely concealing her panic as Madeline continued, eyes switching between her and me, "But do we really want to hear about my love life? It's incredibly dull. I know Antoinette isn't seeing anyone, but what about you Erik? I haven't heard mention of any girl recently, so I assume there isn't one. And no offense to you two, you are both wonderful ladies, but I imagine if there was a woman in my son's life you wouldn't be here."
"Mother," I warned. I truly feared now where she might be taking this conversation. No matter where she was going with it, it was causing my blood to reignite.
Madeline completely ignored me now, focusing her gaze solely on Christine, inquiring, "What about you Miss Little? Tell us all about your exciting love life."
Thankfully, Christine did not seem phased by my mother's prodding, replying in a calm tone, "I don't have one at the moment. I'm very focused with singing right now."
Madeline laughed, truly enjoying herself now. This surprised me, worried me, as she stood from her seat to saunter her way to my side of the table. She shook her head playfully, pulling something from her dress and tossing it away, allowing it to slide closer to me along the wooden top. She eyed me joyously as she rebuffed, "Sure you do, dear."
My entire body stiffened and went still, my ears barely picking up the sound of Christine gasping in horror against the sound of my own blood rushing. The black velvet ring box on the table didn't seem real. It was a trick of some sort, or a hallucination. I tried to move but couldn't, having to close my eyes for a moment to conjure any semblance of strength to simply lift my arm. With sweating palms that I forcibly kept from shaking, I reached for the box, picking it up carefully with the tips of my fingers. I held the small velvet covered cube in my palm, considering what it actually was, what it might mean. I immediately didn't want to hold it anymore, feeling as if I would jump out of my own skin if I couldn't figure out why it was here. I needed answers, now. "What is this?"
Christine gaped at me, looking completely helpless. I thought she would start shaking if she didn't start talking, but I knew she was unable to force any words out to explain. She was clearly in shock. I skimmed my thumb over the top of the box, realizing this was a ploy by my mother and how terrified Christine must be of my reaction. Why should she be afraid, that little voice in my mind asked. My grip on the box tightened immediately, the realization that she wouldn't be reacting this way if she wasn't hiding something nearly knocking me over. What a little hypocrite! Demanding I no longer keep secrets from her while hiding this from me for who knows how long! No longer willing to wait for her silence to end, I demanded, "What is this?"
Madeline answered instead, "Erik dear, you know what that is. It's an engagement ring. Open it if you don't believe me. Don't act so coy though darling, I'm thrilled you two are thinking about tying the knot!"
I knew it was an engagement ring! I was no fool, but I wanted to hear it from Christine's mouth. I tentatively opened the ring box, practically praying that this was a joke. Of course it wasn't though, I am never that lucky. The gleaming diamond on the inside held my attention far longer than I wanted it to, feeling my blood boil and my stomach churn. The boy proposed to my Christine. No, not my Christine. She was surely going to accept his proposal, if she hasn't already. I wasn't letting Christine off that easy, oh no. She would answer me now. I quickly corrected Madeline's misconceptions, "We're not thinking about getting married. I didn't give this to her. Who gave this to you, Christine?"
"Erik!" She shrieked in horror, but I didn't care anymore. I wanted the truth.
Madeline merely chuckled, thinking I was losing touch with reality, "Oh Erik, I think we should add, confused-when-angry, to your lists of faults. I do remember you telling me that this is Charlotte- who, is not engaged to you?"
"I'm not engaged," Christine pleaded. Turning to Madeline she confessed, "I already told you I'm not going to accept! Erik please, let me-"
"You mean you knew?" I hissed at my mother, snapping next at Christine, "How long exactly have you known that your darling boy wished to marry you, Christine? How long have you been keeping this from me?"
"I swear I was going to tell you," Christine whimpered. "It just hap-"
"Just what?" I interrupted. "It just wasn't convenient for me to know yet?"
"Convenient?" Christine parroted, confused.
I chuckled darkly, "Oh yes, of course. You would never stay here of your own volition, so of course you would take anything and everything I offered. It wasn't enough that I trained you, handed you the lead role, or gave you protection from all the evil in the world. Oh no, you had to take my heart to use against me too, and wait for the opportune moment to throw it back in my face and tell me that it isn't good enough!"
"Erik," Antoinette attempted to soothe me. "Stop and think about what you are saying right now."
"I believe he is," Madeline smirked.
Christine suddenly looked horrified the longer she stared at me, stuttering out, "Your… your what? Erik, I don't-"
Madeline groaned obnoxiously, "Please don't lie and say you don't understand. It's not hard. You only got the lead role in that musical because my son is the director and owns the theatre. He trained you to make sure you didn't embarrass the company with your voice, and only offered you a room in the house to give him better odds of winning your affections. Of course, he lied to you about all of this because he's so in love with you."
Christine looked as shocked as ever, returning her attention to me. I hardened my features, as she begged me with her eyes to say something. I refused. Antoinette stretched out a hand to place on mine, attempting once again to soothe me, "Erik, let go of your anger for a moment. You need to think."
"What is there to think about?" Madeline snapped, "My son manipulated Charlotte in an attempt to make her fall in love with him, and Charlotte manipulated my son into believing that someone could love him."
"That's not true!" The smallest at the table shouted, turning a burning glare to Madeline before shifting a softer gaze to me.
Christine grasped Anya's shoulder while her eyes burned with the same fire Amelia had, demanding to blaze even with a warning shake of Christine's head. Leaping from her seat she shrieked in desperation, "Uncle Erik, you know that's not true! You didn't just give Christine the part, she earned it!"
"Anya, stop," Christine whispered quietly enough my mother couldn't hear, trying to pull her back down to her seat.
"No!" She shrieked once again. "This is wrong! Christine did not manipulate you! She loves you, just like you love her!"
"Love him?" Madeline mocked, her hand grasping my shoulder as I tried to block everything out, "If she loved him then why would she have an engagement ring from another man? Why would she hide that from him? And besides that…"
Madeline's hand left my shoulder as she trailed off. I briefly registered Antoinette leaping from her seat and ordering Anya to shut her eyes before a gust of air pierced my cheek and Madeline continued, "Who could love a face like this?"
Dun Dun Duuuuun! Hey guys, I'll be returning to school this Sunday, but I'm halfway through the next chapter and hoping to finish one more before then. So, look for 2 more chapters before I possibly disappear again. THANK YOU ALL FOR THE SWEET REVIEWS, and a HUGE THANK YOU to judybear236 and FantomPhan33 for catching all of my mistakes and beta-ing this story!
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