Rose stared at her reflection in the mirror, slowing removing her earrings and getting rid of her hairpins. She smiled to herself. Her wedding had been wonderful – everything she had ever wished for. Even her mother, who normally found fault with everything, had told her later on how proud she about her. Amy as well had been a great brides-maid taking care of everything, helping Rose dress and calm down her nerves in advance.

Rose's Yes had been loud and clear, she was being absolutely confident about it. This was the man she wanted to spend the rest of her life with and wouldn't give a second thought to whatever doubts there may have been – for sure there where none. Cal's one meanwhile had sounded not even half as steady – but Rose was too agitated to notice that anything could be wrong. On her wedding day she would've refused to hear any bad news anyway, no matter where it would've come from. After the ceremony she had mingled with the guests, meeting many people from the Titanic again – some certain Madeleine Astor, her mother's friend Lucille and her husband Lord Cosmo Duff Gordon.

Rose had had a long talk with Madeleine at some time, the young woman telling her how it was for her being a widow and that she still felt like a stranger in her husband's family – not mentioning aloud that she didn't feel accepted, but Rose somehow guessed that this was the main point. Madeleine even sniffed back a few tears in between seemingly to tell her something else, but not quite knowing how to word it. Before she could however, her mother had been there interrupting them and with all the accommodations going on around her, Rose at last had simply forgotten about Madeleine.

Now, here she was, sitting there in her brand-new nightgown with lingerie specially designed for her by Lady Lucille – she really did feel like a Princess at the moment. The only thing still missing was her Prince Charming. Cal had left her about half an hour ago, telling her the reason, but Rose hadn't really listened and her memory about it had already elapsed.

Cal had been anxious the whole day long, reading the letter he had received over and over again. As far as he was concerned it was pretty clear to him – someone was threatening her life. They had sent him photos in addition, supposedly of crimes they had committed in the past.

He knew right away that there would be no messing up with them. He had immediately gone to Daphne, telling her what needed to be done.

Rose gazed at her wedding dress lying on the bed. She liked it a lot better now than at the time she had bought it with her mother, but she supposed that this was mainly due to her current euphoria. She knew she would've been committed to wait for her husband to get rid of it in between kissing and caressing her, while claiming her body and her virginity – taking her innocence once and for all – Rose smiled at the thought. However, she hadn't been able to stand being forced into it for more minute. She had called for Betsy, who had helped her out of it. It was in fact very relaxing being out the corset for once.

"Rose, dear, can I come in?"

"Yes, mother."

What did she want from her?

Rose didn't really look forward to speaking with her mother just now, but she was so happy and contend at the moment that she supposed nothing could spoil her mood now – not even her mother. Ruth came in looking for another chair to sit on, but when she found none she simply rose down on the bed.

"Come, sit with me," she motioned for Rose to sit next to her.

Ruth silently removed a strain out of her daughter's face, smiling at her restrained, but full of pride.

"Now, it's alright," she commented.

"Mother, I…," Rose said looking at her uneasily.

"Rose…," Ruth gently took her daughter's hand in hers, rubbing her palms and when Rose wanted to speak up again she instantly stopped her. "No, please, let me," she gulped down her own nervousness. "I know we haven't had the best relationship in the past and I know that I some seem to be very…well overprotective or bossy or whatever you might call it…I've given you a hard time, I realize this…but today Rose…today you were the daughter I've always wished for."

"Mother?" Rose looked at her totally stunned.

Her mother was actually shedding a tear.

"I'm so proud of you, Rose, so proud," Ruth hugged at her and what was even more surprising it wasn't a cold or harsh, distant one, like so many other times before, but tender, affectionate and warm.

Ruth patted her daughter on the back, after a while releasing her, looking into her eyes, quickly wiping away her single tear. She really didn't want Rose to think that she had lost it.

"Mr. Hockley is a wonderful man. You two make such a great pair…god…you know since the day of your birth I've dreamed of this…"

"Of me getting married?" Rose was a bit confused at the moment.

"No…no not this, but of you finding someone, who truly loves you and cares for you. You may not remember Rose, but my marriage to your father was not always love, peace and harmony, but on one thing we always agreed…and that was your happiness. I'm sure your father would've loved to see you today. He would've been overjoyed," Ruth shed another tear at this.

Rose couldn't believe that she was having this conversation with her mother. Ruth, who never let out any emotions - always stiff and composed - was now on the brink of breaking down.

"I don't want to lecture you right after I've told you how happy I'm, but there's one thing you've to know…you see…the wedding night…," Ruth held her breath thinking of the best way to tell her.

"Mother, what's wrong?" Rose wondered, when she didn't continue for a while.

"You see, dear, for many girls the first night alone with their newly-wedded husband…let's just say it comes as a shock to many of them…and I don't want the same thing to happen to you."

Rose gazed flabbergasted at her mother. What on earth did she want to tell her?

"Mr. Hockley was expecting a virgin-bride, you know…and I'm so glad that you're living up to his expectation…that you're able to give him your most precious thing…well I…you just...you've to know that it usually hurts at the first time, but I'm sure that your husband will be gentle…and…," she was by now stammering clearly at a loss of words, once again reaching for her hands, this time as Rose guessed, more to calm down herself. "…anyway you did right today, Rose and I really hope that we're also able to rebuild our own relationship…"

"Of course, Mother, of course," Rose just mumbled not knowing what else to say noticing how her mother had turned a bit red in between.

She was being drawn in another hug, after which her Ruth got up again.

"I better go now. I'm sure your husband will be here soon and I don't want to interrupt…well you know…," she took once more breath, before eventually leaving Rose alone.

Rose sat down in front of the mirror again, wanting to arrange her hair and clothes. She wanted to be pretty for Cal and their first night together. For sure Rose had some idea about the procedures happening during the wedding night, she remember having written a few innuendos in books and once there had been a teacher, Mrs. Langdon, with the promise to keep quiet had told them some interesting things about it – her and some female friends. Rose recalled how ashamed, but also shocked she had been afterwards, much like her mother had been know - only about having to tell her - the unmentionable or invitable - as Mrs. Langdon had called it.

Would Cal be cautious with her? Or would he just take her forcefully? Did he expect her to react to his touch or just lie there and do nothing?

Rose realized that they had never talked about those things. Of course not - they were - if any - only whispered about in her society.

Rose took a brush lying next to her, carefully dressing her hair. She looked back into the mirror, as her own reflection gazed back at her. She had been here before, not in this room of course – in the Hotel Bellevue – but in this situation.

She just wished she would be able to remember.

Daphne at first couldn't believe what he had written to her. At first it had made to sense at all to her. He had been so determined about telling his father off, about finally fighting for his wishes. Now here he was explaining to her, how he couldn't go on with their love, because of her – his fiancée, Rose – who required his help and whom he couldn't leave alone just yet. Daphne had wanted to burn the letter, but when Cal had come to her himself and talked to her, told her that the wedding would go on as planned, she had known that it was the truth.

'I knew right away that this man was up to no good. I knew he would only break her heart. But did anyone listen to me? No, of course not…'

Her mother had scolded her father immediately, telling him that nobody was helped with this. However, Daphne instantly realized that he was correct all along. She should've listened to him. She had retired to her room, wanting to be left alone and forget. For sure this didn't prove very easy.

Rose stared at the hairpins in her hand, suddenly jabbing one in her trough her silk garment in her barely protected flesh.

"Ouch," she gasped withdrawing it.

It had hurt. A red spot could be noticed at the place, where Rose had stabbed the pin into. Her eyes were turning back to the door, wondering where Cal had gone to. Shouldn't he be back by now?

"Cheers to you!" Felix toasted to his partner. "I never thought that your plan would work."

Philipp just smiled, the jewellery of the wedding guests led out in front of him. They had decided to sell it through black-dealers, but also to give back some of it to Mrs. Dewitt Bukater and her precious friends. The trick had worked once and Philipp was sure that it would work twice as well. People were just so stupid and so easy to rumble.

"I would've never guessed that those pictures would come into use again. The press even had a name for me back then – the butcher of Madison – they called me. Pretty cool name isn't it?"

"Why…yes…of course…," Philipp told him half-heartedly not really comfortable with his partner wanting to hear praise over the murders he had committed. "It was certainly worth it to get a hold on his specimen of handwriting. It was good after all for you to take up this job in Mr. Hockley's office."

Felix smiled, thinking how they would now be able to live a life in luxury, never having to bow to other again, never being treated like a servant once more and all thanks to the such a stupid affection as love on the one and greed on the other side.

"You know, Mrs. Dewitt Bukater, was so happy, when she realized that the wedding would take place. And I must say those rich certainly know how to celebrate."

"Which reminds me why are you here already? Wouldn't your lady miss you?"

"Ah, no, I told her that I didn't want to interfere in her family life. You know can't go like a bull at the gate, we don't want to scare Mrs. Dewitt Bukater after all with honesty and real life," Philipp laughed to himself. "I told her that I didn't want to bother her any longer…after all she thinks that I'm a gentleman…"

As Felix wanted to grab some the pieces on the table, Philipp instantly held him back.

"Wait…," Philipp stopped him grasping his hand.

"What now? I did what you said…everything…I want my amount of the swag," he raised his voice, but Philipp wasn't about to be afraid of him anymore.

He already knew his tempers and how he needed to react. In reality all Felix cared about were money – the more the better, so he would give him more.

"Alright take your part. You can go and scramble your treasure again, as I knew you will or you can stay here with me and make a real fortune. What do you want?"

Felix thought for a moment, before withdrawing his hands again. Whatever his companion had in mind, his guidance hadn't been so wrong so far. Felix guessed that it couldn't hurt to at least listen to his ideas.

"Fine…but I want to sell some of it…"

"Of course…we need some cash after all and I don't want to keep those things here for long…people could start asking questions…"

"So, what are you thinking about?"

….

Cal came into the room a glass of brandy in one hand. He should've known right away that there was no way out. Rose looked up at him smiling happily, searching his eyes before giving him a small shy kiss on his cheek.

He was so cold and stiff. Rose half wondered, if everything was alright with him.

"Rose…," Cal took her hand leading her over to the bed putting the glass on the nightstand.

Rose half expected that he would now more or less would be ripping off her clothes and claim her as his own. But none of this happened.

Instead he was quiet.

"Cal…what…?"

You're scaring me. What's wrong with you?

But Rose didn't have the guts to ask him directly afraid of hearing the answer. Cal had always been very reserved and quiet, but at the moment he was taking it to the extreme.

"Rose, I…," he put a hand underneath her chin forcing her to look up at him. At least about one thing Ruth had been right today, she really did look beautiful.

Rose gazed at him shyly as if not knowing what to anticipate and at the same time naughtily like she couldn't wait for it to start.

"Rose, before we…," he gulped. "…do…well…I want to tell you that whatever troubles we had in past and…whatever I've done to you…I'm sorry."

Rose looked at him stunned clearly not understanding a word. Why on earth was he suddenly so nervous? Surely it couldn't be the first time for him as well. Rose had read somewhere that rich man especially had usually a long queue of paramours.

"Cal, every pair has got its problems. I'm sure whatever it was, it couldn't have been that awful. And I…I forgive you…," she grinned at him clearly expecting him to proceed with the wedding night.

Cal looked at her, Daphne on his mind, slowly moving his hand to get rid of her silk wardrobe, which could be done effortlessly. Without saying another word, Rose drew him down with her on the bed, wanting finally to feel his touch. For Cal it was no more than a duty, knowing that his father would expect grandchildren – better a male heir – he wanted to enjoy it, but only felt bad and dirty the whole time long.

Rose meanwhile was pleased with the outcome, as Cal proved to be a great lover. The only thing she wondered about later on, while lying next to Cal, who was sleeping beside her, was why there had been no blood.

A few days later Daphne was still being totally beyond herself, but glad that at least Sally had returned so that she had finally someone to talk to.

"Daphne…this doesn't make any sense…why would he write you such a letter suddenly?" Sally gazed at her friend.

"That's because Hockley is a moron after all," Jack couldn't help, but say. "I never trusted him."

"Jack, please, dear…will you do me a favour?" Sally asked.

"Sure…," he said smiling back not knowing what she intended.

"Shut up!"

Jack growled something they didn't understand, taking his portfolio and mumbled something about going out to draw. Sally just shook her head, before turning back to Daphne.

"But he's right…my father said the same…if Cal hadn't wanted to…he would've never married her and that he did, just proves that he has got feelings for her. I mean he explained it to me very well here…see…I'm sorry, but I can't continue our relationship, because Rose would be hurt and I can't leave her alone now...she needs me…"

"Now that certainly looks like his handwriting…"

"What do you mean – looks like?"

"Daphne, have you ever asked him about this letter?"

"No, of course not…I mean he writes himself that he doesn't want to be bothered with it any longer and for sure he did tell me that same thing later on himself…almost in the exact same words…"

Sally got up, an idea coming to her head.

"What are you doing?" she asked noticing Sally going out.

"Jack…Jack are you here?"

"Yes…," he appeared in front of her. "What's the matter?"

"I want you to go and tell Mr. Hockley to come here. I don't care what he's going at the moment. Daphne has to ask him something."

"What if anybody sees me, like…you know…Rose or…," Jack could think of better ways to spend a day.

"Jack, come on…don't be like a coward now…just get going…"

"Fine…but only because it's you…"

Cal arrived at hour later. Frankly he had wondered already too, but he had been so shocked by the pictures he had gotten that he hadn't wanted to risk anything. Now, thinking about it twice, he should've probably just gone to the police.

Jack and Sally had gone out sitting the stairs to their flat, leaving Cal and Daphne some privacy. Jack had his arm put around her shoulder, the two snuggling up into each other.

"I pity them," Sally said out of the blue feeling Jack drawing her closer as if he would lose her too otherwise.

He didn't say a word, but simply planted a kiss on her head, thinking about how strange life could be at times.

Was he really feeling sorry for his onetime enemy?

"What are you talking about? My letter...? I didn't write you a letter."

"Of course you did…you mentioned to me that you couldn't go on with…us…because you had realized that Rose would need you more and after all…this was pretty much, what you told me later on yourself."

Cal stared at her, all of a sudden realizing what had happened here. They had been tricked. But by whom? Ruth? His father? No, Ruth didn't know about them. And his father? Would he threaten Daphne's life?

It was true he had told Daphne something along those lines, not able to tell her the truth. How could the writer of those letters have known this? It must've been someone, who was good at gawking people's reaction in advance – which as Cal had to admit now pretty much ruled out his father too. Nathan had never been much into listening to his son.

Daphne trying hard to hold back her tears didn't know what she should do.

"I know I should've told you. But I was so confused and shocked that I couldn't think straight."

Daphne forced a wire smile, telling him that it wasn't his fault. After all he had only wanted to protect her.

"I don't understand this…why would anyone be so cruel…?" she asked not caring to hear an answer. "What are we going to do now?" she looked up at him now teary-eyed.

They agreed that calling the police now would make no difference, after all what's done was done and if really Nathan was responsible than certainly the police would find nothing. He knew how to hide his schemes.

"Well…I'm…I guess…I've to ask Rose for a divorce…"

At this Daphne firmly shook her head.

"No, Cal, no…not this…not now…not with her knowing nothing about her past…it could kill her…literally I mean…Rose loves you…she told me…"

"She loves someone, who doesn't exist. It's better to end it now than to go on with this farce for god knows how long."

"The wedding night with her…I'm so sorry, Daphne…I didn't want to…"

"I know this, Cal, I realize everything…," she gave him a kiss on the cheek. "I understand completely. I'm not angry," she forced a smile, while in reality feeling horrible. "..and not hurt either."

Cal silently looked at her, knowing right away that she was lying, wishing there would be a way to turn back time.

Why hadn't he just told somebody? - he scolded himself now, of course knowing the answer on the spot - the truth was, because he didn't trust anyone. Only the woman sitting in front of him and he couldn't have told her either, not wanting to worry her.

"Cal, you know what your father said…you know you can't just give up everything. You've been growing up your whole life expecting and wanting to inherit that company…you know how your reputation will be shattered, if…"

"I don't care about my reputation anymore and not about the company. I only care about you," he squeezed her hand.

"Fine, then as your main interest…I tell you…no I demand you to stay with Rose…she needs you…I'm sure you two can get past your troubles," Daphne stood up. "…I know she has got feelings for you…real ones…"

Cal wanted to hold her back as she stormed out of the room, out of the flat and out onto the street, Sally running after her as fast as she could. Cal found himself standing next to Jack, who shrugged with his shoulders, clearly at a loss of words now.

"I'm sorry…," Jack finally managed to get out.

Cal looked at him stunned, not sure he had heard right.

"I know how much she means to you," he added half-expecting Cal to leave now again.

Indeed Cal took a few steps down the stairs his hand steadily gripping the banister, as if he would fall otherwise. However, he turned around unexpectedly, making Jack wonder.

"Something else?" Jack asked.

Cal, seemingly thinking for a moment, opened his mouth, but no words came out and he closed it again after a while, just taking another step down.

"No…," he eventually got out. "No," he repeated this time with more confidence to lend weight to point that he was serious before proceeding further down the stairs.