Chapter 1: Old Regrets, New Beginnings

She followed him, she had to. Raoul had been away and came home smelling of perfume and sex two nights ago. Sticking to the shadows, Christine de Chagny watched her husband as he left his carriage and walked into the building. Was she right about him? Was he seeing another woman behind her back? Without thinking twice, she followed him inside. She peered around until she heard him upstairs. Christine followed silently hidden by the darkness. Just as she climbed to the second level, she heard his laugh mingled with a woman's. As quietly as she could muster, she inched towards the doorway. She heard them inside.

"Oh Raoul, I missed you! Couldn't you have come sooner?" They kissed. It made Christine sick.

"I'm sorry my dear but you know I couldn't get away sooner." The girl groaned and whined.

"It's all that damned wife of yours. Why haven't you left her yet?" Raoul sighed.

"It would look very bad if I left her, especially after I saved her from that monster." The girl giggled.

"Tell that story to me again." He laughed and started walking further inside. Christine began to cry. But it wasn't for her lost husband. It was for the man who truly owned her heart. She gave a shuddering sigh.

"Oh Erik…"

One month later…

She had left him, finally, two weeks ago. He seemed shocked by it but she never faltered. She ran to a kind woman who always looked after her. After some time, she met her son. He used to play with her and Raoul as children. This helped her greatly get back on her feet. Christine decided on a new life. Christine Daaé died in the Phantom's lair and the Viscountess de Chagny died in that building of her husband's lover. After the kind woman had finished cutting and coloring it, she smiled at the girl.

"Who are you now child?" Christine looked at her reflection.

"Christine Amouré-Louver."