Chapter Thirteen
The threat of a Chaotic Harmony
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Theresa's eyes widened at Fox's revelation. She watched him carefully and saw that the burden of secrets Fox took upon himself was taking a toll on his emotional strength. "My God, Fox," Theresa said. "What did you find out?" She asked fearfully.
Fox clenched his jaw as his mouth suddenly turned dry. The Cranes were drenched in a history of secrets and lies, and Fox was acutely aware that if any of the Crane secrets leaked out, their empire would be brought to ruins. The anxiousness in Theresa's eyes pierced through him as guilt coursed through his veins. Taking down Alistair Crane meant taking the risk of exposing the secrets of the Harmony residents as well.
"Theresa," Fox began slowly. "My grandfather's money has corrupted him in the worst possible way. For years he has allowed himself to believe that he is the most powerful man in the world. Wealth reassures his feelings of indestructibility and places a veil over the mere fact that he's human just like the rest of us."
Realization dangled itself before Theresa's eyes.
"Grandfather's money shields him from the vulnerability he is so afraid of." Fox continued. "He has to be in control. That's why one of his most favorite pastimes is interfering with other people's lives. Money allows him to orchestrate conflict between the residents of Harmony for his entertainment. My grandfather's downfall is going to come from his inability to realize that he is just a human with a fortune."
Theresa sat quietly, a dazed expression settling in her eyes.
"There's only one thing holding me back," Fox admitted as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Once I expose my grandfather as the puppeteer that he is, everyone in this town who harbors a secret is going to be exposed." Fox watched Theresa carefully.
"I don't understand," Theresa said rubbing her arms. "Why do everyone else's secrets have to be exposed?"
"Don't you get it Theresa?" Fox asked shaking his head. "My grandfather has played with the residents of this town. He acts as though he were some omnipotent being with the power to control everyone's lives- their fates, their demises. He has surveillance cameras set up in every possible place watching his manipulation affect this town. My grandfather has had some type of interference with everyone who lives in Harmony. Once I bring him down, it's like a domino effect. Everyone else goes along with it."
"How much do you know?" Theresa asked still baffled with the information being disclosed to her.
An unreadable expression glimmered in Fox's eyes. "I know everything my grandfather knows. He thought he was the only one who had the key to all the secrets of the Cranes and the rest of the people in this town, but as of now that's changed. I share that burden with him Theresa." Fox said quietly. "I know every little dirty secret."
"Everything?" Theresa swallowed nervously.
Fox nodded slowly. "To be honest- I wish I didn't know so much."
Standing up suddenly to pace the room, Theresa stopped by the window. She imagined all the residents in the town bustling about with their own lives- their own secrets. "Fox," Theresa asked in a wavering voice. "Do you know what happened to my father?"
Fox closed his eyes and bowed his head. The one question he had hoped Theresa would not ask rang in his ears.
"Fox?" Theresa said- her eyes fixated on Fox's reflection in the glass. "Do you know what happened to my father?"
"I know everything Theresa," Fox said sounding pained as every word left his lips. "But I can't tell you. It's not time yet."
Theresa inhaled sharply as she tried to prevent her lower lip from trembling. Her hands shakily reached out to lean on the table situated directly beneath the window. "Just tell me one thing, Fox" Theresa said blinking rapidly. "Is- is he alive?" Fox glanced briefly at Theresa unable to hold her gaze.
"Fox?" Theresa prompted. "Please- I need to know!" She implored as her other hand reached out to hold onto the table.
Fox's eyes lifted slowly as they settled on Theresa. "He's- he's alive."
Theresa shut her eyes as she exhaled slowly. "Alive?" She whispered- her voice trembling as resentment traveled a jolted path from the tips of her feet to the top of her head. "Where the hell has he been then?" Theresa sputtered angrily as her fist hit the wooden table with a large thud.
Fox winced at the sound. "Theresa, please calm down."
"After awhile I used to stop hoping he would come home," Theresa admitted quietly as her fingers traced the edge of the table. "Mama didn't deserve to be alone for all those years. I only wish I knew the reason why he left in the first place." Theresa lifted her eyes to meet Fox's. "And you know why he did, don't you?" A simple yes did not compare to the firm affirmation Fox's expression contained.
"I'm not going to press you for more information." Theresa said slowly as she made her way back to the seat. To be honest, I'm dying to know everything."
"You will eventually." Fox said running his hand through his hair. "You and everyone in this town will know everything I'm afraid.. Harmony as we know it is going to turn into complete chaos very soon."
To be continued…..
A/N: "Expression of Regret" has reached its end, but I am continuing the story in the sequel "Exposed." The reason why I decided to end "Expression of Regret" is because the story is really veering onto a new storyline that has the potential of creating an entirely new and engaging read. So, look for the first chapter of "Exposed" to be posted in the next few days.