Chapter 19 "Say goodbye"

Crane Estate

Teresa's bedroom...

Teresa tore through the room in a frenzy, pulling clothes out of the closet and drawers and carelessly tossing them into her suitcase. Leslie. Dylan and Pilar watched her with concern as they did their best to talk her out of the decision she had made earlier.

"Resa, please think about what you're doing. Running away like a scared little girl isn't going to solve anything," Leslie told her friend.

Teresa ignored Leslie's words and continued packing. When Pilar walked over to her daughter and put an arm around her shoulder, Teresa recoiled from the touch but at the hurt look in her mother's eyes she took Pilar's hand in hers and pulled her to the bed.

"I know you guys mean well and that you only want what's best for me but I can't stay here. Chelsea's return changes everything. Fox is her husband not mine and I can't bear to stay in town and watch the two of them reconcile. She's always had his heart, Fox made no secret of it and I was foolish to believe otherwise," she told her mother.

"Mija, it breaks my heart to see you like this. Why don't you come home with me? Martin and Paloma miss having you around and we can take care of you. Once the baby is born you can decide what you want to do. Just come home with me now," Pilar beseeched.

"I can't Mama. I just can't. Please try to understand. Fox is a good man and if I stay he's going to tear himself in half trying to take care of us both. Leaving is the only solution. He'll make his life with the woman he loves and I will have my children to treasure and cherish."

"Don't you think that this is something you should decide together?" Pilar asked.

"No, this is my decision to make. And I'm not going to change my mind. I'm leaving town tonight and nothing you guys do or say is going to influence my decision," she added resolutely.

The Solarium…

"Chelsea, I can hardly believe it's you. Where have you been all this time?" Fox asked his wife.

"No, Teresa is my wife. Chelsea is…she's my past. God why did things have to get so complicated?" Fox thought running a hand through his hair.

"After the plane crash, the rescue team took me to a clinic. I was comatose for about six months and none of the doctors or nurse had any clue as to my identity. When I finally woke up, my memories were hazy. I knew who I was of course but I had no idea we were married until I saw your picture in the paper. Then everything came rushing back and I knew I had to come back. I tried to stop the wedding but when I got to the church it was empty," Chelsea explained.

"We wanted the wedding to be private so we leaked false information to the press and then I arranged for us to be married at sea. It was Teresa's dream and I wanted her to be happy," Fox remarked.

"Fox, I know that my return must be such a shock to and I can't really blame you for moving on when you believed me dead but I'm your wife and I love you. We were so happy together and I know we can be happy again. Just give me a chance, give us a chance," Chelsea whispered walking over to him and pressing her mouth to his.

Fox let himself sink into the kiss, his senses reeling as memories of their past together overwhelmed him. This was Chelsea, the woman he'd loved more than life itself. Sensing his response, Chelsea deepened the kiss, molding their bodies together and Fox felt himself hardening even as his mind cried that this was wrong.

"Chelsea," he whispered breaking the kiss and pushing her away from him.

"I want you Fox, make love to me," she replied unhooking the clasp of the halter style dress she wore and shimmying out of it so she stood before him covered in a skimpy pair of panties.

Fox felt his mouth go dry as he stared at her but before he could reply, Chelsea had covered the distance between them and fused their mouths together once more.

Teresa's bedroom…

"Mija, that baby you're carrying deserves to grow up with both its parents. I know you're hurting. But running away without talking things over with your husband isn't the solution," Pilar stated.

"Fox isn't my husband Mama. Don't you get that?" Teresa replied peevishly for she knew that her mother was right.

"He and Chelsea were never married in the Church so therefore in the eyes of God you are his wife. Go talk to him mija. Please," Pilar implored.

Teresa stared at her mother for a few seconds then turned to leave the room. With sweaty palms and a racing heart she walked to the foyer and asked one of the maids if Fox was in the house. When the maid pointed to the solarium, Teresa headed in that direction.

"Please Fox, tell me it's me you love," she whispered.

When she got to the solarium she let out a cry of disbelief. Fox and Chelsea lay entwined on one of the rattan chairs. Chelsea's dress was draped on the floor and Fox's hands were cupping her breasts. Their mouths were fused in a hot, torrid kiss and Teresa felt the tears seep from her eyes. Her worst suspicions confirmed, she turned and fled as silently as she had come.

"Chelsea, Chelsea stop. Stop," Fox yelled with frustration when she ignored his pleas and continued to stroke his heated body. Knowing that if he let her continue he would give in to temptation, he gently captured her deft hands and pushed her away from him.

"Get dressed," he ordered more harshly than he'd intended and with trembling hands Chelsea obeyed.

When she was dressed once more and had regained her composure Chelsea turned to him.

"Why don't you want me Fox? Is it because of the scars? Do they repel you?" she questioned and Fox shook his head.

"You're as beautiful as ever Chelsea. It's me. I've changed," he tried to explain

"Because of Teresa," Chelsea exclaimed and Fox lowered his gaze because she was right. Teresa had changed him and as much as he hated hurting Chelsea, he couldn't let go of his feelings for her.

"Fox, you love me. I know that you do. That couldn't have changed in such a short time," she remarked but as she stared into his eyes she knew that it had.

"I'm sorry. Chelsea. So damn sorry. I love her. And I can't let her go," he whispered and Chelsea felt her heart break in two.

"I'm sorry," he stated again, feeling like the world's biggest heel. "You don't deserve this Chelsea, especially not after everything you've been through but I can't help how I feel. If I could change things I would but there's no going back and undoing what's been done," he told her.

Chelsea turned her back to him so she wouldn't have to see the pity on his face. Knowing that there was only one thing left for her to do, she squared her shoulders and whispered the words that would set him free.

"Go to her," she whispered huskily and Fox's eyes widened in surprise.

"Chelsea, I---" he began but she'd had enough.

"GO TO HER," she yelled and turning on his heel, Fox did as he had been bidden.

When he had left, Chelsea sank to the floor and amidst the lush plants and flamboyant flowers she cried for everything that had been taken from her.