Chapter 7: Fight for your love

Tess was walking nervously across veranda when Nick's red Ute finally showed up.

Tess ran toward Claire, tears filled her eyes when she saw her sister's eyes - Claire didn't stopped crying ever since she left Melbourne.

Nick held Charlotte, his heart breaking at the sight of his friend crying...

"I'm gonna put Charlotte down for a sleep", he said, deciding to give to two siters some privacy. Tess looked thankfully at him.

When Nick departured, Tess took Claire to windmill. She never saw her broke down like this.

"I feel terrible, Tess..."

"I know", she caressed her sister's hair as they sat on a tub "I know, honey."

When I found out that Peter is married...It was like my heart broke in two pieces. But now", she looked at Tess with her eyes filled constantly with new tears "Now I feel like it broken to small pieces and that every piece is ripped out of my chest individually! What am I going to do, Tess? How am I going to live without him?"

Tess hugged her sister tightly, not knowing what to say.

"Why didn't I just admitted him that I love him?!'

"Well...probably because you were afraid that you will loose him if he doesn't feel the same way about you. Right?", Tess raised her eyebrows.

"Yeah, and look where it got me. I've lost him. For good."

"No, Claire, no! You didn't lost him!

Claire looked to Tess.

"Yes, Tess...Yes, I have..."

Alex was sitting in Bryce's office. They agreed to have lunch together.

Suddenly doors opened and Bryce came in, followed by his daughter Andrea. Alex met her before, but she still didn't knew that he is her half - brother.

Andrea greeted Alex politely, but obviously was upset with Bryce 'cause she left the office slamming the doors.

"What was that all about?" , asked Alex.

"Aw, she's been torturing me for weeks! Wants to get out of business and me to help her with beginning her own job, to gave her money!"

"Is it a problem?"

"No, of course not. I would give her if she would use it on something normal thing, but no! She wants to stop working for me and become a hairdresser!!" , exclaimed Bryce, frustrated.

"Well, if that's what she wants, why won't you help her?"

"Because it's stupid!"

"Look, if it's about the money, I will give it to you. She's my half sister after all..." , started Alex, but was interrupted by Bryce's yelling:

"SHUT UP, ALEX! THIS IS NOT ANY OF YOUR BUSINESS!!"

Alex was shocked by this snapping out.

"I wanna help, she is my family..." , Alex tried once again, but Bryce didn't let him finish this time either.

"NO! NO! Don't you dare to say that!!" , yelled Bryce.

Alex was speechless, while Bryce continued:

"I tried to make a man out of you, but you are so stubborn and pigheaded, you won't listen! I have reputation to save and it wouldn't be possible if someone knows about my illegitimate son who is nothing more than a farmer!

That was it for Alex. He got up and coldly said:

"Too late for playing Dad, Bryce. You could have look for me when Mum told ya about me', he picked up his hat "I am going home", he headed toward doors.

"Sure, go ahead! Go to that bitch of yours! It's all her damn fault!!!"

Hearing that, Alex ran toward Bryce and punched him in the face so hard that he landed on the floor.

"DON'T YA DARE TO TALK BAD ABOUT CLAIRE!! SHE IS THE ONLY ONE WHO WAS BESIDE ME WHENEVER I NEEDED HELP AND SUPPORT!!", he coldly looked to old man lying on the floor "Go to hell, Bryce!"

Just in that moment, doors opened and Andrea came in. Alex looked at her.

"Follow your dream, sister. I will help you", he than noticed Bryce's wife behind Andrea "You have right to know, Mrs. Your husband hided from you that he has a son.

Meg and Tess were doing the dishes. Tess shook her head.

"She isn't the same Claire, Meg."

"They were always there for each other, supporting each other, helping to each other. Alex was the only constant thing in her life. He never let her down.", explained Meg.

"Until now", Tess raised her eyebrows.

"I wonder is that true, Tess."

Tess looked quizzically at Meg.

"What do you mean by that?" , asked Tess, confused.

Meg sighed.

"He was sooo protective about her. I can't believe that he would leave her forever, Tess."

Tess was about to say something when they heard steps on the stairs.
They looked up and saw Claire. She rushed to Ute and drove away.

Tess ran after her.

"Claire!!" , she called her sister.

But it was too late. Claire dwove away.

"What the hell was that?" , frowned Tess.

Meg came out holding Charlotte in her arms and envelope in her left hand.

"This was on desk in BOM's room", said Meg, handing an envelope to Tess.

Tess took a letter and opened it. She recognized her sister's handwriting.

"Dear Tess,

I am sorry for leaving like this, but I was afraid that if I talked about it, I will loose courage and won't go.

I went, Tess. I went to Melbourne. I have to find him. I have to tell him how I feel about him.

Take care of Charlotte while I'm gone.

Love and kisses,

your sister Claire."

Tess finished reading and looked to Meg, huge grin appearing on her lips.

TESS: "She went to Melbourne!", she exclaimed happily and hugged Meg.