Chapter Nineteen

Seperation

"Get up, Christine."

Christine moaned softly and opened her eyes, her head pounding mercilessly. Her eyes opened to see her brother standing over her, an expression on his face she had never seen before. Her cheek felt swollen and she was sure it was bruised and she felt ready to throw up.

"Anthony...what is it?" she whispered, wanting to close her eyes and forget everything that had happened. Anthony picked her up into his arms and she tried to protest but found herself far to nauseous to say anything. She looked down at the floor to see that Erik was right where he had fallen after hitting her. She had to look away from him and buried her face in Anthony's shirt. She said nothing as he carried her out of the room although she was curious to know what her brother was doing. When she felt cool air caress her skin she looked up at her brother with questioning eyes.

"You might argue, Christine, but he hit you. I will not allow you to stay with him any longer," Anthony said. She should have known this was going to happen. But it would only make things more difficult.

"Anthony, please, bring me back," she said. Angry eyes met her own.

"I promised you that if he ever so much as laid a hand on you I would take you from him, Christine! I never go back on my word," he said. He put her into a waiting carriage and she could do nothing to get out because he blocked her way as he climbed in with her. They were moving before she could open her mouth and she sat back, knowing it was useless to try and escape now.

"Anthony, you do not understand-"

"All I need to understand is that purple bruise you have on your face, Christine," Anthony interrupted. He was in protective brother mode and she knew that he would not be swayed from his course of thinking.

"He had every right to be angry, Anthony," she whispered. She had betrayed him by kissing Raoul and she was very much ashamed of herself. She had felt nothing when she kissed Raoul and now knew that it had not been worth betraying Erik for.

"Raoul told me that he was kissing you, it makes no difference, Christine," Anthony said.

"Where is Raoul?" Christine asked.

"I sent him ahead, I did not think it was a good idea for the two of you to see each other so soon," Anthony said.

"I have to go back, Anthony," she whispered. Her brother said nothing. How could she make him understand that she felt as if she had to be with Erik? She could not explain what she meant because she did not really know what she meant. She had to be with him, she was afraid of what might happen when whoever wanted them dead caught up with him.

"We are going to Italy, Christine. If he comes after you and regrets his actions perhaps you can go back with him," Anthony said. She did not like the fact that he was taking charge of her life. She loved him for wanting her to be safe but she felt as if she should handle the things that she felt were none of his business. This was her marriage and Erik was her husband and they should work things out between them without any outside interference.

She knew Erik well enough to know that if he came after her it would not be because he was sorry for his actions. He would come because in his mind she was just like another piece of property that had just been stolen. He would not let anyone take what was his. She just prayed that he did not hurt Anthony in the process.

Christine would never be able to forget what had happened that night. Erik had hit her and the fragile trust she had begun to have in him had been shattered. She had known that his temper was no good but she had always believed that he would not hurt her physically. He had proven her wrong. And she was not the type of woman who would allow any man to hit her like that, temper or not.

She did not know if she would ever be able to forgive him...

xXx

Monsieur Khan,

I hope you do not find me impertinent for writing this letter especially after my husband treated you at your last meeting. But you must understand that what you accused him of was both ill-taken and ill-placed. I do not know much about my husband but I do know that there was something there between him and my mother, perhaps you know more then I do.

But I write to you in desperation. Whomever wrote you that letter accusing my husband of murder wants him dead...as well as myself I fear and I know no one else who might be able to help us. I know you have no obligation but surely my mother would have also come to you for help if she were in trouble? My brief encounter with you told me that you are a good man and I do not know who else to turn to, perhaps you will consider helping my husband find whoever is behind this? I am sure we could use your help. I appreciate any help you can offer.

Sincerely,

Christine Daae Desslar

Christine sighed and sealed the envelope. The candle at the desk in which she sat had began to dim and she still had one more letter to write. They had reached Italy two days prior and were now staying in one of Anthony's small estates. This one he had received for his birthday the year prior and this was the first time she had ever been there. She had not talked to Raoul since arriving and he seemed to be avoiding her as well. She supposed it was for the best.

She prayed that Nadir agreed to help Erik because she knew no other man who could help them. The last letter she needed to write was to Erik and there was much she wished to say to him. She just hoped that he was well enough to read and answer her letter.

Erik,

I know I am probably the last person whom you wish to hear from but there are many things that need to be discussed between us and I felt a letter would be the easiest way. I am sure you are aware why my brother took me from you, Erik. You hurt me...I do not think I will ever be able to forgive you for it. Your temper broke what little trust I had in you and I do not know if it will ever work between us. We are just too different. I am afraid that if you come after me my brother might kill you...I do not want to see that happen.

But you had no right to hit me, Erik, and that is why I consented to go with my brother. I know I should never have kissed Raoul but I needed to make sure that he was not the man I was supposed to be with. You almost killed him in your rage as well. Perhaps your time alone will give you time to think about what you want in life.

Christine

Erik crumpled the paper in his hands and tossed it across the room, cursing under his breath. Damn Christine and damn his temper! How the hell was he supposed to react when he comes in seeing his wife kissing another man? Of course he was going to lose his temper! And how dare she only blame him. If she had not been kissing Chagny he would not have lost his temper and hit both of them!

But he did regret hitting Christine. No matter what she had done she did not deserve to be hit like that. He had never hit a woman before and he swore to God that he was never going to do so again. It had been a mistake that he was not going to make twice. That he would apologize for to Christine when he saw her, but he refused to apologize for nearly beating Chagny senseless. The man had known very well that Christine already belonged to someone else and if Erik had him near he would finish what he had started.

And Anthony would pay for taking away his wife. That was an insult he did not take lightly. But at the moment he was stuck where he was because he was far to weak to make any long journeys. But when he saw Christine he would tell her what he had on his mind, some of which he was sure she was not going to like.