I am so sorry I haven't update, but life's been rough. My father passed away this past month and I've been working and starting school so I couldn't update sooner. Hopefully nothing will prevent me to update for a long time. Thanks for the reviews and enjoy!

Erik smiled warmly as he shook Father Alexandre's hand. "How's your play going, son?" he asked.

Erik sighed. "It's getting there."

"Do you have time on your hands? I need to ask you a favor?" said Father Alexandre.

"Of course, Father. What do you need?"

"Look this woman doesn't have a job or roof to stay," he said, looking at Adrianne.

Erik's smile faded when he saw her. It was the same woman who was trying to help his wife escape. Adrianne looked down, knowing that he knew who she was. "I'm sorry, Father, but there's nothing for her here either."

Father Alexandre glared at Erik. "What do you mean there isn't? You have never denied anything from me."

Erik looked up and saw Anne passing by with Mae. "Look, there's my wife. Let me present her to you."

"But, Erik…"

"No, Father, no," Erik said, cutting him off. "Anne, let me present you to Father Alexandre. He is the priest to Orleans' Catholic Church."

Anne smiled softly and grabbed his hand, kissing it. "Nice to meet you, Father."

"The pleasure is mine, child," he responded. He could tell why Erik was so infatuated with the girl. She looked like an angel. She could fool anyone.

"Hello, Father, I'm Mae DePaul, to what ever I am in need for service," she said, also, kissing his hand.

"Thank you, child."

"Excuse me," said Anne as she walked away from the men. She and Erik stared at each other as she passed him.

"Didn't I tell you she looked like an angel?" scowled Erik.

Father Alexandre glared at him. "I don't know if she's an angel or not, but you've turned into a demon. Why are you not giving that poor woman a job?" He had an urge to spill the whole truth to Erik's face.

"Because yesterday that woman was helping my wife escape," hissed Erik.

Adrianne looked at her son from afar still not believing she was so close to him, but at the same time afraid. He will never want to have any part of her now that he knew that she was trying to help his wife escape. She could also see the mask on his face. Her heart broke that just because of his deformity, he was taken away from her when he was just born.

Anne grinned when she saw Adrianne standing close to the door. "What are you doing here, Madame?" she asked.

"I-I came with Father Alexandre," she stuttered.

Anne turned to Mae, placing a hand on Adrianne's shoulder. "I met her yesterday." Mae eyed them both, wondering why two women of different classes would be more than a servant and an employer. Anne turned back to Adrianne. "Don't be so close to the door. Come, I'll take you to the kitchen so you can eat."

"N-No, it's alright, Madame. I don't want to be a burden," said Adrianne. "Merci."

Father Alexandre came to stand next to Adrianne. "I'm sorry, but Erik told me what happened yesterday," he said, getting Adrianne a stern look.

"It doesn't matter, Father, I'll look somewhere else for a job," said Adrianne, picking up her things.

"Wait! You need a place to stay?" asked Anne.

"We have enough employees," intervened Erik.

Anne looked at him. "One more mouth to feed isn't such a big deal. Besides, I need someone to look after and tend for my things."

"Lucy can take care of it," argued Erik.

Anne walked up to Erik and placed her hand on his. "Lucy can stay in the kitchen. She can look after my things. Please don't tell me no."

Erik looked at her hand and sighed. "If that's what you wish."

Anne's face lit up, almost taking his breath away. "Thank you."

Adrianne almost burst into tears. Her son was deeply in love with this woman. Her hear filled with joy knowing that he married such a kind woman, especially since she got her to work in his manor. Now, Adrianne was close to her son and would look after him, the thing she wanted most to do when he was born.

Anne walked into the kitchen with Mae and Adrianne, where Lucy and Rocio, the cook of the house.

"Good morning, Madame," they both greeted.

"Bonjour," said Anne, smiling. "Lucy, this is Adrianne. She's a new maid. Is there an extra room for her?"

"Oui, Madame," said Lucy.

"Well, she can leave her stuff there and then explain to her the duties and chores ordered Anne. She turned to Rocio. "You're the cook."

"Oui, Madame. I'm here for what ever you need, Madame," said Rocio.

Anne smiled. "Thank you."

When Anne left, Lucy turned to Rocio. "I told you she was very pretty."

"Being the patron so handsome, do you think he'll marry an ugly woman," said Rocio, laughing. "You aren't from around here right?" she asked Adrianne.

Adrianne shook her head. "N-No, I'm from the south."

"You have a heart of gold, Madame," said Mae as they headed towards the foot of the stairs."

Anne laughed. "No, it just wasn't fair to leave that poor woman with no roof or food when it could be easily achieved here. I couldn't say no."

"But Monsieur Levesque didn't want to give her the job."

"There was a… misunderstanding that happened yesterday. Nothing important."

Mae nodded. "Monsieur Levesque must love you a lot to grant you what you wanted."

Anne shook her head. "I don't think so. He probably just felt bad that I was pressuring him to accept her as a new maid."

Mae said nothing and followed Anne up the stairs.

Erik clenched his fist as he sat across Father Alexandre in his study. "That's why she wanted her to stay because she thinks she's going to have an ally."

Father Alexandre shook his head. "I doubt Adrianne would let herself be used that way."

Erik shifted angrily in his seat, but then froze. "Her name is Adrianne?"

"Yes, like your mother. I've known her for a long time," said Father Alexandre.

"Where is she from?" asked Erik curiously.

"From Rouen, but she's along with no one and found out I was working in Orleans and that's why she decided to come here." Technically, he wasn't lying. "She's a good woman."

"I hope you aren't wrong."

"You know what kind of impression your wife gave me?" Erik shrugged. "A woman no defense and with a lot of sorrow that is building up inside her."

Erik chuckled, grimly. "Of course, she's upset. She wants to back with her lover and I won't let her."

"Listen to me, Erik, if Anne was in love with another man before you showed up and if she married you because her family forced her, there is no reason to accuse her," said Father Alexandre. He was getting fed up with Erik's stubbornness.

"I don't blame her for loving another man, but I do blame her for not telling me. On various occasions I asked her if she was sure she wanted to marry me and she didn't tell me no." Erik felt like he was reliving Christine's rejection again except this time, he was going to get the girl.

"But you still have to take in consideration that…"

"She, too, knew about the money arrangements I had with her mother," interrupted Erik, standing up. "She only accepted my proposal to save her family from financial ruin. She already had plans to escape with her lover the same day of the wedding!"

"That might be true," said Father Alexandre, also standing and raising is voice, "but it was the devil himself that entered your body and made both of you very unfortunate."

"Well… I'll admit my error, but…"

"Then admit and understand her error, too," finished Father Alexander. "Of course, we see faces, but not hearts. She doesn't seem to me a girl that is cynical or perverse to have planned every thing that you're saying."

Erik sighed. "Father… her actions speak for themselves."

"I'm going to asked you one thing. It's a very personal and intimate question, but… have you had intimacy with her?" Erik looked at him and nodded. "And when you took her, was she a virgin?"

"Yes," replied Erik.

"When you were, going to get married, you told me that you were very much in love told me that you were very much in love. Don't you still love her?" asked Father Alexandre. Erik lowered his head down, deep in thought and turmoil. "Please, answer me!"

"I don't know! But I'm still attracted to her. Besides, she is my wife and she is mine to do what I want with her," he said, angrily.

Father Alexandre nodded. "Very well, why don't you sit down and talk with her so you can clear up all these doubts."

"She's not going to want to talk with me. All she cares about is leaving because she can't stand me. She hates me. She herself said so."

Father Alexandre sighed. It is going to be difficult to undo this mess. He prayed to God for a miracle. The two of them needed it and much more.

"But who is that woman?" asked Marie anxiously as she straightened out some of her dresses with Mae.

"She's a new maid, but I have a feeling there's something very mysterious behind all of this," said Mae, handing her a dress.

"Why?" wondered Marie.

"Because Monsieur Levesque didn't want to give her a job. As a matter of fact, he was very upset, but the Madame insisted and he didn't have a choice but to accept," Mae explained.

"Is that so?" said Marie in thought. "And why didn't Erik want to give her a job?"

"There comes the mysterious part, my dear," whispered Mae. "It seems that the Madame met her in town where something happened."

"What?"

"She said there was a problem, but she didn't want to explain some more. I imagine that the problem was between Madame Anne, the new maid, and with Monsieur Erik."

Marie sat back and got deep in thought. "Well, I have to go down stairs and see if Monsieur Erik needs anything."

"Go, dear, I'll finish up here," said Mae, going back to folding and handing.

Marie smiled when she saw Erik at the bottom of the stairs. "Is Father Alexandre going to stay for lunch?"

"Non, he left already," said Erik.

"What a shame because you like to talk with him very much," said Marie quietly. "I suppose Madame Anne is going to take charge of the manor now."

Erik sighed. "No, you'll still be in charge."

Marie smiled. "They told me there's a new maid?"

"Oui, as a matter of fact, send her to me, I want to talk with her."

Marie's grin widened. "Right away, Monsieur." She made her way quickly to the kitchen and found Lucy and Rocio making lunch with another woman she had yet to see. "Are you the new servant?"

Adrianne nodded. She could tell there was a rude part to this woman. She had a feeling that she thought she was the woman to the house and not Anne. "Oui, Madame."

"Monsieur Levesque wants to speak with you." Adrianne froze in place. She knew he was either going to fire her or explode in her face. "Hurry up! He's waiting!" ordered Marie.

"Oui, excuse me," she said, quickly and leaving.

Marie scowled. "What's her problem?"

"Maybe it's because you scared her by yelling at her," said Rocio, casually.

Marie smirked. "Monsieur Levesque just told me that I'll remain the head of the manor, so nothing has changed. For anything you'll have to ask me."

"What if Madame Levesque doesn't suit with it?" asked Rocio.

"Well then she's going to suck it up because the one who has the last word here is Monsieur Levesque. Is that clear?" she said. Both servants nodded and stayed quiet. Marie was taking this too far and soon there is going to be a confrontation between Marie and Anne.

Adrianne took a deep breath when she saw Erik standing by the stairs. Her hear was beating so fast, she thought it was going to pop out. "You called me, Monsieur?"

"It's clear that my wife has given you sympathy, but I warn you not to help her escape again because if you do, you'll regret it," he said, raising his voice.

Adrianne was about to respond, but Anne beat her to it. "How dare you threaten this poor woman?" she said, walking down the stair.

Erik looked up at her. "I was not threatening her, I was just warning her."

"Yes with your power as owner and boss," fired Anne back.

"Please don't fight because of me," said Adrianne.

"You have nothing to do with this, Adrianne. It is unjust that my husband is blaming others when just he and I have committed the fault," she said glaring at him.

He glared back. "Go back to the kitchen," he ordered not taking his eyes off Anne. Adrianne scurried away like a scared rabbit. "I think it's time that we talk," said Erik once Adrianne was gone.

"The only conversation we have on hold is about the child you want so that you can let me leave," said Anne.

Erik nodded. "And what have you decided?"

Anne looked down. "I agree."

He cocked his head back. "What do you mean?"

"I agree to have a child with you," whispered Anne.

"And once it's born you'll give him or her to me and go back to Paris?"

Anne nodded shamefully. "Yes."

Erik chuckled. "Well, well, I never thought that a mademoiselle, taught very well in the Christian faith, could abandon a child like some old used dress she got tiered of using." Anne looked away and head back up the stairs, but was stopped when she heard, "Alright, I accept." She didn't even turn back to look at him. She made her way quickly up the stairs and to her room. Erik felt anger at her and himself. He had a feeling that his wasn't going to work if it did could he have the courage to let her leave?

Erik turned when he heard footsteps approaching him. It was Lamar and he had a letter with him. "This came today, sir," he said.

Erik went to open it, but Lamar was still standing there, probably curious to what the content of the letter was. "Go," said Erik. Lamar nodded and left immediately. Erik continued to open it and read it quickly. He smiled softly. Nadir has sent a new administer and will be here in a couple of days.

"Who is that Mademoiselle Marie?" asked Adrianne as she helped Rocio and Lucy cook.

"She was the daughter of the old administer, who was sadly killed a couple of months ago by some bandits," explained Rocio.

Adriane gasped. "How horrifying!"

"Since she has no other family members, Monsieur Levesque asked her to stay. It's obvious that she's in love with him," said Lucy.

Adrianne's brow rose. "Really? And him?"

"Having such a pretty wife, why would he even look at her," said Lucy, laughing.

"Yes, but if Madame Levesque doesn't bother to pay attention to him, he'll probably grow tiered of her, Marie is still in charge of how the manor is run."

Lucy scowled. "I hate that. Before she was harsh and I bet now she'll be worse than ever."

"Go take those cookies and tea up to the Madame, Lucy," said Rocio.

Lucy rolled her eyes. "Yes, Rocio," said Lucy, obviously still wanting to gossip some more.

"Madame Levesque didn't eat for lunch either, right?" said Adrianne, casually.

"Nope and it's been that way since she got here," responded Rocio. "Just yesterday she showed up to the dining room, but even then Lucy said that she barely touched her food. If she continues like that, she's going to die."

Adrianne frowned. "What are they fighting?"

"Who knows? But it's a shame because she looks like a good person and so does Monsieur Erik. He's a good boss. He doesn't abuse his servant," said Rocio. "Has his tempers, but he takes out on the furniture in his music room. Every now and then he'll break something in there and he'll replace it right away. No one goes in there except for Marie, but not for long, though."

Adrianne smiled to herself. She was proud that Erik was being praised for being a good man. He has had a rough upbringing, but at least life is treating him alright for now.

"I honestly don't know what happened because when he left to Paris he seemed very happy," said Rocio, breaking Adrianne's thoughts.

"Maybe there was a problem with her family?"

"Who knows?"

"Come in," hissed Ricard, pushing Lancet into his father's study. "Did she give you the money?"

Lancet nodded and handed him a pouch of gold coins. "One hundred francs." Ricard sighed in relief and began to count the money. "Ricard, I don't think it's wise to barter money from Karina anymore."

Ricard nodded. "I know, but what can we do? Where are we going to get the money? My parents depend on me for money and to pay the house expenses."

"And your brother-in-law?" asked Lancet.

"After what happened with Belle, everyone is afraid to ask for money," explained Ricard.

"Well I have an idea, but I'm not sure you'll go along with it," said Lancet.

"Whatever it is tell me," Ricard said, anxiously. "I need more money!"

"Karina is very much in love with you," said Lancet, uneasily.

Ricard looked at him. "Marry her? No, I already told you no."

"Ricard, please…"

"There is no way I'm going to marry her not even if she gave me all her money… Well, maybe I would, but the though of sleeping with her…" Ricard said, cringing.

"Listen to me," hissed Lancet. "It won't be a real wedding. It'll be a false wedding."

Ricard laughed. "A false wedding?" When he saw the seriousness on Lancet's face he stopped. "Have you lost your mind?"

"No, think about it. It's going to be a false wedding."

Anne panted as she ran away from the house. It was dark outside. She carried along a couple of her dresses and jewelry. Maybe this time her luck will change and she can finally go back home. She made sure no one was in sight as she ran towards the gates of the manor.

Meanwhile, Erik, lost in thought about his situation with Anne and how they should mend, was going to her room. He opened the bathroom door that separated their rooms. Her room was completely dark. He searched around for a match to light a candle. It wasn't hard since he was used to the darkness since he could remember. The candle was finally lit. He looked around the room and noticed that Anne wasn't sleeping in the bed and some of her things were missing. He cursed under his breath and quickly made his way downstairs to go look for her. He doubted she'd get very far and then when he'd catch her, he'll bring her back, even if he had to drag her back by the hair.

Anne breathed heavily when she got to the gate. She cried in frustration when it was locked. She tried to pick the lock with her hair pin but it wouldn't open. She gasped in fright when someone touched her hand. She turned to find Adrianne standing behind her.

"Please, don't say anything," said Anne, sobbing. "I can't take it anymore! I want to leave!"

"But where would you go?" asked Adrianne, holding her back.

"Anywhere but here," replied Anne, trying to get away from the woman's grasp. "I can't take it anymore! Please don't stop me!"

"I am no one to stop you!" shouted Adrianne, also sobbing, "but I'm sure your husband is a good man!"

"You don't understand! That man bought me!" cried Anne, startling Adrianne. "He bought me! He paid my family's debts in exchange to marry me!"

"I-I'm sure there's a misunderstanding," said Adrianne still in shock. She couldn't believe her son was capable of doing that.

"Yes, he did it! And I was a coward for accepting his proposal! I should have escaped with Maurice. Why didn't I listen to him?" she whispered in a sob.

"Calm down, Madame. Let me take you back to the manor," said Adrianne, softly, trying to calm Anne down and convince her to stay.

"No, I won't go back to that house," said Anne, staring fearfully at the manor.

"Please, come out of the light. They might be able to see us," she said, dragging a shaken Anne to one of the unnoticeable benches.

Erik quickly woke up Lamar and other male workers to help him search for his wife. He was afraid that if she were to get caught by bandits, they'll rape and kill her. His worse fear was that.

"I'm pretty sure my mother was involved in all of this. He, too, took advantage of our disgrace," whispered Anne.

"Why didn't you talk with him?" said Adrianne, taking her hands. "Why didn't you tell him you had another beau?"

"Because everyone told me that I was the only one who could save my family. They also invented a horrible lie about Maurice. A woman came to my house and lied about being Maurice's wife and even said she had a son with him. It was the same time they sent Maurice away to a horrible prison so that we couldn't see each other. Do you realize of what a horrendous lie they did to us?"

"But who did all of this?" asked Adrianne.

"My mother," she simply responded. "With my brother and Erik, too."

"No, not Erik," said Adrianne.

"Why do you defend him?" asked Anne. "You don't know him."

"That's true, but Father Alexandre says he an unfortunate man with a great soul, who finally is putting his life together."

"He doesn't know him either because with me he did the most shameful thing anyone has ever done," hissed Anne.

"Whatever it may be, please don't go. I beg you."

"I don't want to stay," Anne said, shaking her head. "Besides, I'm afraid. Erik is violent and aggressive. Our first night together, he took me by force."

Adrianne shook her head in disbelief. A bell began to ring and they could hear horses galloping and men shouting. "Come with me, Madame!" said Adrianne, hiding her behind the bushes. "Give me your things. Hurry!" Adrianne made her way towards them. "Monsieur, what's wrong?" she asked.

Erik eyed her. "What are you doing here? Have you seen my wife?"

"Y-Your wife?" stuttered Adrianne. "Yes, she's here. She just came out for some fresh air. She told me to stay with her so that she wouldn't be alone."

Erik looked behind Adrianne to see Anne coming from the bushes. "Isn't it a bit late to take a walk of fresh air?" She said nothing. She knew that he knew what she was really going to do. "Let's go," he ordered. Anne followed him as he moved with his horse close by. Adrianne quickly took Anne's things and went to hide it in her room.

During all this commotion, Marie had woken by the noises that were coming from all over the house. She went downstairs to the kitchen and saw that Rocio and Lucy were already there.

"Do you know what's going on?" asked Marie.

"No, we woke up when they started ringing the bell, explained Rocio.

"Why didn't the other maid wake up, too," asked Marie, frustrated.

"Who knows?"

"Maybe she didn't hear anything," said Lucy.

Marie sneered. "Didn't listen? Well, she's going to listen to me now," she said, stomping away to Adrianne's room. When she entered the room, the older woman was kneeling, praying, but she immediately stood up when Marie came in without knocking. She went to stand where she put Anne's things, but Marie noticed.

"What is that?" asked Marie.

"Some of my think," responded Adrianne.

"Let me look," ordered Marie, but she didn't budge. Marie went to snatch the bag, but Adrianne held on to it. They both struggled with the bag until Marie shoved Adrianne onto the ground. The bag tore open and exposed what lay inside. Marie was shocked when she saw the expensive jewelry and dresses. "Where did you get these?" she asked. "You robbed them, didn't you?"

Adrianne shook her head. "No, I swear I didn't."

Marie glared at her. "Why should I believe you? I'm going to look you up here until Monsieur Levesque decides what to do with you?" She immediately picked up the expensive things and closed the door behind her, leaving Adrianne dumbfound. She sat back on her bed, shaking and sobbing. She wondered what was going to happen. Only God could protect her now.

"You were planning to escape again, weren't you?" said Erik as he entered Anne's room along with her. She stayed quiet. "By any chance were you frightened if I was going to force you to fulfill with your promise?"

"Yes, I was very scared," replied Anne, not daring to look at him.

"Why did you accept if I repulse you so much?" asked Erik. Again silence. He sighed heavily. "Don't do it again. It can be dangerous. You can find dishonorable people out there… worse than me, I can assure you of that."

When Anne heard Erik's footsteps reach the door and left, she let out her tears again. No matter what she did, God was not letting her leave this place, no matter how many prayers she prayed.

"Has Monsieur Levesque woken up already?" Marie asked Rocio.

"A long time ago. He ate his breakfast and locked himself in the music room. I think he broke something again," said Rocio, sighing and shaking her head.

"Why didn't anyone tell me?" questioned Marie. Rocio shrugged. "Well, did they tell you what happened with Adrianne?"

Rocio nodded. "Oui, I already knew."

"Something about that woman didn't seem right," said Marie, almost to herself. She left without another word and went to tend to some chores.

Anne sighed as the door began to knock. "Come in," she called out. She sat up from her bed, holding her head.

Lucy came in with a glass of milk and some food. "Good morning, Madame. Did you sleep well?"

Anne shook her head. "Not really. My head is hurting a bit."

"Maybe if you eat something, it'll go away," suggested Lucy as she opened the curtains.

Anne winced a bit as the light covered her eyes. "Can you do me a favor Lucy? Tell Adrianne to come up here."

Lucy froze. "Adrianne?"

"Oui."

"Well, they locked her in her room because it looks like she robbed some jewelry," explained Lucy.

Anne's eyes widened. "Who did that?"

"Mademoiselle Marie."

Anne bit her lips. Her first confrontation with Marie will start now. She quickly got up and dressed as fast as she could. When she got down stairs, she asked where Marie was and they told her she was outside giving out orders.

Anne found Marie speaking with Lamar. "I want you to release Adrianne immediately."

Marie turned to her. "Until Monsieur Levesque doesn't come out from his music room…"

"If he is not disposable, I make the decisions around here," said Anne, louder. Marie had to bite her tongue before lashing out at her.

"That woman stole…" started Lamar, but Anne cut him off.

"She didn't steal anything and when you speak with me get off your horse with the rightful respect." Lamar clenched his teeth and did as he was told. "Very well, I just gave an order and I expect you to accomplish it."

"Yes, Madame," said Lamar, faking his smile.

Anne glared at him as he left inside and then turned to Marie again. "Before taking any action with the servants of this house, you have to come with me first. Is that understood?"

Marie said nothing, but it took every fiber of her body not to yell at her. She watched her turn away back into the house, and Lucy behind her, smirking to herself. Marie stomped furiously on the ground. She went inside the manor and found Erik coming down the stairs. "I thought that I was doing my job."

Erik frowned. "Why? What happened?"

"Madame Levesque just shouted at me in front of Lucy and Lamar," said Marie. "I didn't want to bother you last night, but I found expensive dresses and jewelry in Adrianne's room. Since she doesn't have any money, I assumed she stole them and I locked her up in her room."

"Why did she have those things?"

Marie shrugged. "She stayed quiet and that meant she stole them, but what mostly insulted me was what Madame Levesque did to me. She offended me in front of everyone."

Erik sighed. "I'll take care of this." Lamar, then, came in, pushing Adrianne and almost tripping her over. "To whom does that jewelry belong to?" She stayed silent. "Do you realize that if you do not tell me, I'll be forced to turn you into the authorities?" Adrianne gave him a pleading look. "Go find my wife," he told Marie.

"There's no need to, I'm right here," said Anne, coming from the kitchen. "I want to speak with you but alone. In the meantime, leave this poor woman alone. She didn't do anything."

"That still remains to be seen," he said, glaring at Adrianne. "Stay in your room. We'll talk about this later."

"Oui, Monsieur," said Adrianne, quietly. She left but not before giving Anne a pleading look. She didn't want more fights between her and her son.

"The two of you may leave as well," said Erik to Marie and Lamar. He turned to Anne. "I'm listening."

"Yesterday when I was leaving, Adrianne saw me. She asked me what I was doing and… I told her. Later when the bell rang and we heard the shouts, she told me not to go because either way I was going to be found," she whispered. "That's why she stayed with my jewels and clothes, so that you wouldn't realize what I was going to do." When she finished, she started to go up to her room, but he stopped her.

"Don't go yet, I also have things to tell you," he said, softly, a tone she hasn't heard since before they married.

"She has some venomous trap because he does everything that she wants, Nana," said Marie, pacing in her room. "I want this woman to stay working. Adrianne has done nothing wrong," she mocked. "And you should have seen the way she shouted at me and Lamar. Who the hell does she thinks she is?"

"The Madame of the house, my dear," said Mae, calmly, looking over her fortune cards. "We must have patience."

"Patience? So she can still yell at me like if I were another one of those servants? I think it'll be best if we leave, Nana."

"To where, love? Do you think it's easy to find a job in a decent house with a respectable family with your rightful place?" asked Mae. "Let's wait until something happens. Maybe later on something comes in mind."

Marie sighed in frustration. "The only thing that I can think of is killing her."

Mae shook her head. "Don't even say that."

Marie stayed quiet, but she did think about it.

Adrianne was startle when she saw Father Alexandre coming in her room. "Come in," she said, kissing his hand.

"Rocio and Lucy told me about the jewelry," he said.

"They belong to Madame Anne," she whispered.

"And is it all cleared up?"

Adrianne shrugged. "I don't know."

"What happened?"

"I was walking outside around when I saw her. She was going to escape." Father Alexandre shook his head. "She told me everything, everything that happened between her and my son. You already knew, right?" she asked. He nodded. "She told me that he mother and Erik made a deal of money so that he could marry her and that he wasn't a… gentleman on their wedding night."

"She spoke to you about that?" asked Father Alexandre.

Adrianne nodded. "Oui. Father, you told me that Erik changed his ways and was a good man now."

"He is, child, but the devil is always aware, especially to those souls that are hurt," he explained. "He loved Annabelle very much. He was very illusion and in love."

Adrianne let out a sob. "Poor unfortunate souls."

"It's at that moment when I got a hold of the papers of your parents' house. Your brother had traded it for a large sum of money," Erik explained to Anne in his study.

"I didn't know that," she whispered.

"Ricard knew I had then and wanted to rescue them whatever needs necessary, even offering some of your mother's jewelry. I told him that I didn't care about the jewelry that I preferred the opportunity to meet you." Anne looked at him. "I saw you walking with your brother on the streets. I liked you and felt attracted to you and I already had in mind of getting married. I wanted to court you to see if there was something special between us," he said, walking behind her chair. She could feel his breath against her.

Anne turned around and looked at him. "So it was you who started everything?"

"Yes, I'll admit to that. I made a stupid error and little by little I became more entangled."

"Entangled?" repeated Anne.

"Yes, by your family," he said, shouting. "And for you. Every time I saw you more in love with you I fell."

"I didn't do anything to…"

"You accepted me," finished Erik. "You told me yes and I thought your lack of conversations was because you were shy and at the same time your mother and brother lied to me, filling my head saying that you too were fond of me. How could I be so stupid?" he shouted to himself.

"Either way you still shouldn't have tempted my mother," said Anne behind him.

Erik turned to her. "Your mother was willing to sell you to the highest bidder! If it wasn't me, it could have been someone else!" Anne looked away. "It would have been better, non?"

"I don't know if better or worse," she said, sadly. "I would have preferred if none of this would have happened. A thousand times I begged God to stop the marriage from happening and when we heard me… it was too late."

"Who is Maurice?" demanded Erik. "Where did you meet him?"

"In a hospital," she responded.

"What does he do for a living?"

"He was a militia soldier."

"In Paris?" he mocked.

"Oui, but he is a good, noble man, better than you'd ever be!" she defended.

"More noble that the man who wants to take a woman from another man," he shouted back.

Anne glared at him. "No worse than a man who took a woman by force!"

"It was my right!" he barked.

"I probably don't have a right because men have the power, but I can say that I didn't like to submit to you. This wedding was based on lies and you along with my mother and brother invented a wife that Maurice had and then you imprisoned him so you could trick me and to take him away from me so you could marry me!"

Erik shook his head. "I Had nothing to do with it."

"I don't believe you!"

"I don't care if you believe me or not!" he barked. "I am not a man that would stoop so low to lie about something like, even for a woman ten times more beautiful that you!" He went to leave his office, but she halted him.

"Please, understand that our situation is terrible," she sobbed. "There's too much hate and yells. What's the point of being together? Let me go home. I beg you, please."

Erik turned to her and saw the tears falling from her eyes. He was in love with this woman. "Maybe you might have reason."

Anne smiled sadly at him. "Thank you. Thank you."

Thanks for reading and please review!