Two weeks into her engagement, Regina has never been happier. The fact that Robin's family seemed to have finally accepted her made it all better. Her work is going smoothly. Her personal life is as well. She could not ask for more.
She has been working her ass off for two weeks because she is looking forward to their Paris trip. It was spontaneous on her part but once she found a common ground between her and Robin's mother and sister, the idea came to mind. She knows that because of her, a rift was formed between Robin and his family especially Robin and Ruby. As someone who has lived in a family where tension is a norm, she wouldn't want that for Robin.
That's why when Ruby showed her that painting, she thought about bringing the woman along with her to Paris. She really could have it delivered to her house which i what she normally does but she's determined to earn the girl's trust so she went out of her way to invite her. It sounded like a bribe…an expensive bribe, but Robin is worth it. It will give them the time as well to get to know her so it's a win-win situation.
"Paris, huh? I never take you for someone who indulges in lavish vacations", Gold muttered when she informed him of her plans.
"Just because I don't take vacations does not mean I don't enjoy them. Besides, it's not really for me. It's for Robin and his family",
The man arched a brow at her.
"You're taking his family to Paris?"
"I am taking his sister and his parents wanted to come along so he is taking them. I just…we did not start off on a good note and this will give us the chance to get to know one another", she reasoned.
Gold stared at her and she can see the wheels in brain turning. The man is brilliant and can be quite devious at times but never to her. He took a chance on her when she's at her lowest moment. He took her under his wing, taught her everything she knows. That's why what he thinks is important for her.
"You really love that man, Robin. I've known you for years and this is the first time I see you willing to bend over backwards for someone", her mentor muttered.
Regina smiled. "He has done so much for me as well. Let's not forget that. I am not an easy woman to love. With my history and baggage, anyone in their right minds would have run straight for the hills but he didn't. It's all about compromise, right?"
"As long as you remember to know your limits, Regina. I know you. When you love someone, you tend to do everything in your power to please them. You endure and endure until you break. I would hate to see you end up where I found all because of love…again",
"I will. Thanks, Gold",
When she got home, the smile on her face disappeared when she saw who's waiting for her.
Cora Mills.
She did not notice her car outside because she's been excited to share the news to Robin that her schedule has been cleared for their trip. Now, she's caught off guard with her mother's unexpected visit.
"Mother…what are you doing here? How did you know where I live and how did you get in?"
"I am your mother. You learned where to hide your spare key from me, dear. Now, you and I need to talk, young lady",
Her mother got her cornered in her own house. It worked instantly in downing her good mood.
"What do you want to talk about?" She asked.
Cora scoffed. "Oh, how about the fact that you're engaged? Perhaps, that is important enough to talk about with your parents, don't you think?"
She would have asked how she found out about it but knowing her mother, she has eyes and ears everywhere.
"I'm not sure you'll be interested. Last time we saw each other, you insulted my fiancé to no end and invited my ex-husband despite knowing what he did to me so forgive me for not bothering sharing the best news I had in a long time with you",
If her words affected her mother, she did not let it show. Cora is a master when it comes to hiding her emotions. It's one of the things she learned from her. When she was freed from Graham, she took a page from her mother's lessons. Love is weakness. That's why she guarded herself for years before Robin.
"You are really keen on blaming Graham for the failure of your marriage, aren't you?"
"Oh my god…I am not having this conversation with you again, Mother", she walked past her mother and headed straight to the kitchen, feeling the need for something stronger to wash down the bitter taste of her mother's visit.
Unfortunately for her, her mother followed her. She purposely ignored Cora and poured herself a good amount of whiskey.
"I don't understand you, Regina. You could have had a good life, a respectable one and yet you settled for this. You had a warrant of arrest issued against Graham and for what?!"
Regina saw red because how dare she come into her home and still accuse her of lying about what happened?
"For what?!" Her mother flinched at the tone of her voice. "What would it take for you to believe me, Mother? Would you have believed me if I landed in the hospital fighting for my life? Would that have sufficed? Is that going to be proof enough for you that Graham is not the prince charming you're imagining him to be? Is that what you want?!"
Her hands are shaking that she had to put down the glass on the counter but not before downing the rest of it.
"I lost the care anymore whether you think of me as a liar or what not. You insulted Robin to my face more times than I can count and I let it slide but you cannot come here in my house to tell me that fighting for my life and my sanity is screwing up my life in your books. This is my life, Mother! You may not care much for it but this is mine and you're not going to dictate me on how I live my life!" She exclaimed.
Not once did she yell at her mother that way. The shock in her mother's eyes is something the woman can no longer hide. Regina would have noticed that her mother's eyes watered a bit if she's not so angry at the moment. She can actually feel the vein on her forehead about to pop in rage.
She has lived most of her life with her parents and her mother has pulled a lot of stunts but she has had enough. She finally found happiness and she's not about to have her mother ruin it just because it's not what she had in mind for her. She's not some doll she can manipulate and control for her own gain. This time, she is willing to fight for her happiness.
"So, you really believed…Graham really did do all those things to you?" Cora muttered in horror as she finally allowed herself to believe her daughter's words.
"Does it even matter now, Mother?" Regina asked.
Whether her mother believes her or not, she lost the care anymore.
"Of course, it does. You're my daughter, Regina",
Regina smiled sadly at her mother. "Exactly…and you dismissed me as a liar for years. That's what makes this all so sad because you're supposed to be the first person on my side",
This time, tears fell from her mother's eyes. It's so out of the blue that it took Regina aback. Not once in her life did she see her mother cried. Her mother firmly believed that if one needs to cry, it should be done in the privacy of one's bedroom, away from prying eyes. Her mother saw that as weakness and Cora does not tolerate weakness.
"I think we should continue this talk some other time", her mother muttered.
"I think that would be best", she replied.
She watched as her mother left her house quietly. Despite the anger she felt, a part of her wanted to reach out to her mother, stopped her from leaving so they can sort out whatever's left in their relationship.
Her happiness would not be complete without the love and acceptance of her family. After everything they've been through, she is still hoping that their relationship could still be salvage. She did after all get a second chance in life and in love, maybe it will be the same case with her and her parents.
Against her wish to do just that, she remained in the kitchen and returned the bottle of whiskey into the cupboards. Drinking will not solve anything. She can do productive things while waiting for Robin to arrive home.
He will make things better. He can make her feel better and perhaps, he can tell her if she is right to hope on her strained relationship with her mother.
She was not able to ponder on that thought for much longer because she heard the front door opening and then closing. Her eyes closed because she should have known that her mother is not the type of person that gives up so easily. Perhaps she just needed some time to breathe and composed herself to yell at her and her life choices.
"Mother…I don't think I am in the mood for a round two", she muttered while facing the fridge.
"Don't worry, I am not her",
It's like getting splashed on the face with icy cold water.
As if her brain could not believe what she just heard, her body turned around fast to confirm it or to deny it.
…but there's no denying the man standing inside her house. He's not just a pigment of her imagination. He is really there. Graham is standing right in front of her.
"Graham…"
Her ex-husband smirked at her the way he used to when his cruel is planning something horrible for her.
"Hello, honey. Finally, it's just the two of us. You have no idea how long I have been waiting for this moment to come", he said.
Screaming for help is not going to accomplish anything. Robin's former house remains unoccupied. Her other neighbors are still at their offices. She can call Emma or David but her purse was left at the couch in the living room. She can make a run for it but she knows that Graham can easily catch her.
"Why are you here? Do you really want to be arrested?" She asked.
She is surprised at how steady her voice sounded.
"Should I take that as a form of concern? I am baffled you still need to ask, Regina! You ruined my life! You tainted my name! My career! Everything I worked for, you destroyed it all! Do you really think I will just standby and watch you get your happily ever after after what you've done to me?!" His voice rang throughout the space.
Though her body remembers how she used to react during the times Graham yelled at her like that, her mind forced herself to remain standing straight. She is no longer that woman who did not love herself enough to know she deserves better than how she's been treated.
"What I've done to you? What about what you've done to me? You were supposed to love me, to take care of me. You were my husband who vowed to protect me and you used me as your personal punching bag! I did not ruin anything, Graham. I just wanted to be free. You're the one who ruined us, who ruined yourself", she exclaimed.
She honestly did not see it coming but she felt it before it registered in her brain. Her knees hit the hard floor as her face stings. She can taste blood in her mouth.
Graham must have been yelling but it all became a blur in her ears. His voice sounded so distant. It's like having some sort of deja vu. How many times did this happen before?
Her body moved on its own accord. Everything is happening way too fast. Her brain could not keep up but she is moving.
Then, everything went dark.