AN: Warning that there are some forms of violence and implications of other occurences that are not of the most amiable nature. Sorry the chapter is kinda short, butI shall try to make it up by writing a rather long chapter next. Probably going to have to with the conflict soon to come. ; D Please R&R.

Chapter 22. Confronting Errors Of The Past

"Cecille?"

The sound of his voice had my back go rigid from where I stood viewing the rehearsal of a performance from Isabel's room. How that voice had followed me around since I left. How it haunted me since.

"Are you going to pretend you are only hearing voices now?"

Was this a dream… or reality?

"I see… just pretend you don't hear your love enter the room. Always playing some part, my dear. Are you ever going to acknowledge what it is we ask of you?"

"Hello Edmund," I bit my lip, fighting tears.

Never did I expect to see him again…

Never did I think I would acknowledge his presence again...

How did he find me?

"Did you forget we were engaged?" I could hear him approaching as goosebumps came. "I have been waiting for your return for far too long, Cecille."

"How… how did you find me?" I trembled when he touched my shoulder, his breath lingering against my neck.

"Word spreads fast around Paris," I did not need to see him to know that he was smirking. "When I heard talk of an exceptional beauty in the Moulin Rouge, I knew they were talking of you."

"Come now Edmund…" I shook my head. "Do me the decency to tell me the truth."

"I will tell you how I find you…" he trailed off as he grabbed a lock of my hair and twirled it around with a finger. "…if you tell me why you left."

"I… cannot." I bit harder upon my lip, not allowing myself the moment to say anything further.

"Have I been so horrid, Cecille?" Edmund questioned. "Was it so dreadfully terrible of me to take what was rightfully mine? What should be likely mine?"

I nodded, awaiting the strike to come upon my head and flinching subconsciously.

I only received a laugh.

"Flinching already?" Edmund chuckled. "What were expecting from me, Cecille? Was there something that I forgot to give you?"

"How did you find me?" I pressed, my voice hushed.

"Ah… yes… I remember what it was that I forgot…"

One blow to the side of my face had me tasting blood when I bit down harder upon my lip. When he turned me around, his hands burning his fingerprints upon my flesh, I did not allow tears to come.

Not when he sent a few more hits across my body…

Not when he had me on the floor…

Not when he began to kick me with all his strength…

Not when he pressed his body against me… to take me as a bruised and bloody mess…

"Go to your room, Cecille." Edmund ordered when he stood up and brushed his shoulders off. "I am done with you, for now. Do not leave. I shall have your supper delivered to you, even if I personally have to do it."

Not saying a word, I fought the pain that seized my body, making my knees wobble and my head race.

"It was nice to be with you once more, Cecille." Edmund grinned nefariously. "It is nice to know that I have what is rightfully mine back again. Hopefully nothing shall keep us apart again."

"Cecille?" Edmund repeated for the third time in less than a minute. "Are you listening to me?"

"Uh… yes," I offered him a smile, which he took quite gladly.

"Are you excited as I in being married soon?"

Gregory sat in his armchair, a book in his lap, yet he allowed his gaze to linger on the passing maid. His cunning smile had me smiling, and I wanted to only laugh at his silliness.

"Cecille!" Edmund laughed. "It seems like you are not here tonight."

The maid passed by once more, this time with a stack of towels that shielded her view. Yet she pursued on, walking with the utmost confidence, knowing exactly where she was going.

"Let me help you, Mademoiselle." Gregory got up, his book falling to his feet, as he grabbed half of the towels. "It is not safe for a young lady to walk around unable to see where her feet might take her."

"Might you pay attention to me for one moment, Cecille?" Edmund asked with a lightheartedness that made me yawn. "Or are you in your daydreams once more?"

Would Gregory ever offer assistance if I needed help? If I was unable to see where my feet might possibly take me?

"Do you love me, Cecille?" Edmund pressed, growing agitated when I was too lost in my thoughts to reply. Seizing my shoulders, he shook me. "Cecille!"

"Oh… Edmund…" I set my hands atop his to cease the shaking, yet I was already growing dizzy. "Yes… of course."

I knew not what it was he was asking this time, nor did I ever know. I just knew that with Edmund, it mattered not if I made a huge speech in response to him. He only wanted to be agreed with. And acquiescence was something that my parents had cultivated me to master.

"I cannot wait to be married," Edmund placed a hand on my cheek, but I felt nothing at his touch. "To be united as husband and wife. I shall make a queen of you, Cecille."

"Are you near done with your work?" Gregory questioned the maid when she returned to the same room. "Your work is never done? Well… I insist you take a break. I am sure you are capable of continuing, but everyone needs time to relax. Come… sit down… take my seat."

"Do you have nothing to say to me, Cecille?" Edmund made me turn until I gazed up at him. "I cannot believe that you will be marrying me. That you chose me. I feel so lucky."

"Yes…" I trailed off, jealousy getting the better at me when the maid rested in Gregory's armchair and he rested his chin upon the top, gazing down at her dreamily.

My jealousy made me forget I was still with Edmund until he kissed me, pressing himself upon me hard. Breaking away, I took a step back, more disgusted than anything.

"Edmund!" I gasped. "What were you thinking?"

"We… you and I will soon be wed." Edmund tried to explain, his eyes wavering as a new emotion took over. "How can we last, Cecille, if you are repulsed by my touch? If you cannot accept my kisses?"

"Oh Edmund…" I covered my mouth, shame taking over.

"Do you love me?"

"Yes…" I said weakly, my eyes downcast.

"Then why can I not kiss you?" Edmund walked towards me, backing me up away from the windows that allowed view to the balcony until my back was pressed against the wall in the far corner. "Why am I not allowed to touch you? To love you as I should be allowed to?"

"Edmund…" tears filled my eyes when he placed both hands on either side of my body, trapping me against the wall with him in front of me.

"You are beautiful, Cecille." Edmund told me before kissing me and pressing me harder against the wall.

When I fought against his body, his hands seized my arms and pressed them tightly. I grimaced and did not struggle anymore when he deepened his kiss. When his hands roamed my body.

I know not what happened precisely after he pressed his body against mine, crushing me against the wall further…

My next memory was of being in my room, staring at the imprints of Edmund's hands upon my arms… the scratches the jagged pieces of stone had cut into my back when Edmund had pressed me against the wall.

It was the first time he had taken advantage of me…

…but certainly not the last.

Walking to the Moulin Rouge with my hands entwined in Christian's, I took a deep breath.

I knew not what awaited me with Ziddler and Cecille and Gregory, but whatever might happen, I had Christian. And he would never let me fall again.

"Do not worry, mon amour." Christian whispered, placing a kiss on the side of my face. "I will not allow anything to happen to you."

"I just need to be strong…" I told myself when we opened the doors of the Moulin Rouge.

"Isabel!"

"Gregory," I let go of Christian's hand as we stepped apart and smiled while Gregory ran to greet us from across the street. "Back already?"

"I could not be apart with you for a week, ma belle." Gregory breathed heavily from running and grabbed my hands, placing them against his cheek. "I have missed you already, Isabel."

"And I…"

"Hello," Gregory's attention went towards Christian. "I am Gregory, Isabel's fiancé. Who are you, Monsieur?"

"Christian," he replied, smiling amiably. "I am… Isabel's voice instructor."

"Instructor?" Gregory turned back to me. "I thought you said you were never taught to sing?"

"Well…" I faltered.

"…not until recently, Monsieur." Christian interrupted. "It is a very recent matter. Very recent."

"Yes," I nodded. "Very recent."

"I see," Gregory released my hands to shake Christian's. "Please to meet you. I can only imagine how much more angelic Isabel's voice is now with your instruction. She is a regular songbird, oui?"

"A gorgeous voice," Christian agreed. "For a very gorgeous lady."

"I see I am not the only one who thinks so," Gregory laughed. "Would you like to join us for supper, Monsieur Christian? It is only right to invite you to dine with us after taking Isabel in. Maybe you would enjoy to see a performance? There is a splendid play that is being rehearsed that shall be quite inspiring, I am sure. As you will soon learn, there is much talent and spectacles to find within the Moulin Rouge."

"Believe me, Monsieur." Christian looked into my eyes and smiled. "I already know."