Super sorry for the long wait. My personal life has been hectic. Here's the next chapter and I hope you enjoy it!

Erik sat in his study, while Marie informed him about some of the materials that were needed in the manor, but he wasn't listening. He played with his pen twirling it around his fingers. His mind was elsewhere. If he let Anne leave he will never recover again. He knew he loved her when he saw her suffering. He hated seeing her like that. He also knew that it was different with Christine and the only reason he let her go is because she showed him a bit of kindness. Every time Anne would pass by or look at him his heart would pump faster than usual because of attraction and anger. He had frequent urges to take her upstairs and have his way with her, to hear her scream his name as she climaxed with him.

Marie noticed his silence. She, too, grew quiet, knowing he wasn't listening to her. Her blood began to boil in frustration. She had no idea why Erik could be attracted to Anne if she just ignored him all the time. She could be ten times better that that woman could ever be no matter how much class and money she may have. She wanted Erik for her own and sooner or later, she'll have him.

"Excuse-moi," said Father Alexandre, interrupting both of their thoughts. He had heard Marie going over the material and wondered why she was taking charge of those things and not Anne.

"Come in, Father," said Erik, sighing. He turned in Marie. "Take the money that is needed for the expenses."

"Oui, Monsieur," she said, leaving the study quickly, but not before kissing Father Alexandre's hand.

"Why is Marie calling out orders in the house?" he asked. "That should be your wife's job."

"Anne doesn't want to nor does she care," said Erik, quietly. "She's going to leave."

"To her parent's house?"

"Oui, she asked me and I told her she could."

"But, I assume you don't agree with it," said Father Alexandre looking at Erik's face.

Erik chuckled in irony. "What can I do? When we're alone, she gets frightened at the thought of me touching her. She can't stand me. She hates me."

Anne smiled when she saw Marie walking with Mae in the gardens. "Marie, I want to apologize for yelling at you in the morning. I was a bit nervous and wasn't thinking. I hope you can forgive me." She was in a good mood. Now that she was leaving, there was no reason to hold a grudge. Besides, it'll also stop the talk before leaving.

Marie smiled back at her. "There's nothing to forgive, Madame," she replied.

"Well, I won't take much of your time," she said as she went down the corridor.

Mae smiled at Marie. "Who would have thought she would be the one apologizing to you?"

Marie rolled her eyes. "Monsieur Erik probably made her do it."

"Whatever it may be, it's a triumph for you," said Mar, excitedly.

Marie said nothing and continued walking. She won't be satisfied until she has Erik for her own.

Erik continued to talk with Father Alexandre. "She told me a story about how her lover had an untrue wife and they arrested him and couldn't see him to clear the situation."

"Who did that?" questioned Father Alexandre.

"Who else but her mother and brother, of course!" said Erik, frustrated. "She, however, feels like I had something to do with it."

Father Alexandre sighed. "Well at least the two of you talked. Did you tell her that you still love her?"

"For what? To feed her ego and to laugh at me when I tell her that I'm dying for her love," he said, getting louder.

"Don't be so proud, Erik!"

"If I were so proud, I would have her tied up and kneeling at the foot of my bed," said Erik, stranding up. "I wouldn't let her leave until she's crawling and begging for forgiveness. When she leaves, at least she'll be happy with her parents." Erik froze. "But if she goes back, would she go back to her lover?"

Father Alexandre frowned at this. He could tell Erik was clenching his teeth and his fists were tight. He had murder in his eyes once again.

Anne knocked on Adrianne's door. She needed to speak with her. When it opened, there was a tearful and fearful Adrianne. She looked like she hadn't slept through the whole night. "Adrianne," said Anne, smiling. She went inside the room and closed the door behind her so no one could hear. "I went looking for you in the kitchen, but they told me you were here."

"Monsieur Levesque told me not to come out until he saw fit to speak with me," she responded meekly.

"Why? I cleared everything up already," said Anne, sitting on the bed, taking her hand.

Adrianne's eyes widened. "Did you tell him you were going to escape?"

"Oui."

"And what happened?" urged Adrianne.

Anne looked down. "Well, we spoke about many things and he's letting me go back home."

"Non, non, please don't abandon him. Don't leave him. I'm sure he still loves you," said Adrianne, taking her hands.

Anne looked her. "He might have loved me before, but no anymore. Besides, our wedding was a mistake."

"Answer me this," whispered Adrianne. "Do you still think of the other man? Do you want to back to him?"

Anne shook her head. "No, not anymore."

Adrianne grinned. "Then, why not stay? You can also reconcile with your husband."

"That can't happen because even though I won't ever see Maurice again, my heart will always be his," said Anne, sadly.

"Erik told me that you were returning home," said Father Alexandre as he stepped outside the manor with Anne with Erik.

"Oui," Anne responded carefully, feeling Erik's stare on her.

"When?" he asked.

Anne looked uneasily up at Erik, but he kept his eyes forward. He couldn't even imagine when the day would come. "I'm not sure."

"Well, before you go, come by and see me. I want to talk with you. When are you taking her into town?"

Erik glanced at the priest. "One of these days."

"Alright then, I must take my leave. Au revoir, Anne," said Alexandre.

Anne's smile and kissed his hand. "Good-bye, Father."

"Let me walk you to the gate," said Erik as he accompanied Father Alexandre to his carriage. When Erik began going back into the house, Anne stopped him by gently reaching for his arm. "When can I go home?"

Erik sighed and turned to face her. "When a family member comes to get you."

"A-Are you going to write them?" she said, uneasily.

"Yes."

"There's no need for that. I can go on my own," she said. If by any chance her father would see the letter, he would die on the spot or if her mother saw it, she would probably leaver her here.

Erik smirked. "No, ma chère, I need to make sure that you will be with your people and not with your friend," he said, nastily. He stomped away into the back of the house to find one of his horses. Riding always cleared his mind. An angry Anne ran after him, lifting her skirts up so she could reach him faster.

"I gave you my word that I would never see him again!" she yelled after him.

Erik growled as he turned around. "You also promised to love and respect me until death do us part, hmm? You also promised me that you would give me a child in exchange of your leave, but you have done neither of the two. That's why I'm going to make sure you return home and no where else," he said, getting on his horse.

"And who are you going to write to?" she asked.

"Your father, of course."

Anne lost her breath. "And what are you going to tell him?"

"The truth," he said with a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

Anne grasped the saddle of the horse. "No, please don't tell him! He's sick! It could kill him!"

"I'm tiered of lying for you and the rest of your family," he said, turning the horse away. Anne's hand, however, was still stuck between the saddle and rope. The horse accidentally pushed her off, sending her to the ground and falling against a wagon. Erik immediately stopped the horse, jumped down and quickly went to her aid.

Anne winced in pain. She felt her back aching and burning. She also felt her arm in pain.

"Anne, are you alright?" asked Erik concerned, trying to touch her. Her pain was his. Anne just shoved him off.

"Don't touch me," she whimpered, trying to get up. "My waist hurts," she said almost in tears.

"I'm sorry, Anne. Please forgive me," he whispered.

She turned and saw sincerity in his eyes. It almost startled her. His green eyes masked behind his mask were almost hypnotizing her and she couldn't look away. "I-It wasn't your entire fault."

"Yes, it was," said Erik. Anne couldn't believe it. He was about to cry? "Let me take you back to your room."

Before Anne could protest, she was lifted into his arms and carried inside the manor. When they reached her room, Erik gently laid her on the bed. He left quickly to call for Lucy to bring water and he left to get his medical bag in the next room. Anne slowly turned around, undid the back of her corset. It was unbearable. She heard Erik coming into the room again, making her cheeks burn in embarrassment. Erik, too, noticed and his savage male side was stirring. He shook it off and when Lucy came in with a bowl of water. She was pretty surprised to see the lady of the house injured. Erik thanked her and she quickly left the room.

Anne bit her lip when she felt the cold cloth touch her back. Erik cleaned her up and then began to message her back with ointment.

"It's to ease the pain and prevent the injury from swelling," he said as he applied it.

Anne didn't say anything. She simply closed her eyes and relaxed. Erik could feel it, too. She almost let a sigh escape her mouth. It felt… wonderful. His skilled hands rubbed across her back as he felt her soft skin. It was distracting her. He wanted nothing more than to turn her around and make love to her.

"I-I wanted to ask you that if you write my father, please do not to mention what happened. You can tell him that the countryside doesn't appeal to me. I beg you, sir."

Erik stopped and neared closer to her. "It's me who begs you, Annabelle." She turned and looked at him. He cupped her face and pulled her nearer. "Don't leave me, Anne. I need you." He dropped his head, pressing his lips against hers. Normally, she would pull away, but something in her made her kiss back. She reached gingerly to touch the exposed part of his face. She pulled away, looking like a scared rabbit, but Erik didn't let her go. "I love you, Anne. I love you."

Anne almost smiled. Her heart was fluttering. She couldn't explain what she was feeling. Being in him arms at that moment, made her feel safe. It was the same feeling she had when she was with Maurice. "This is wrong," she whispered out loud and to herself.

Erik pressed his lips together and stood up quickly, leaving her room to his music room. Anne's turned to her stomach again, beginning to cry and make sense of what just happened. She then stopped suddenly, wiping her tears and sat up. A small smile spread on her face. Her fingers ran over her lips. I liked it, she thought.

Erik grabbed the first object he got his hands and smashed it against the wall. "How stupid can I be?" he said, hitting himself on the head. "Why do I always get like this with her? Why did I fall in love with her? Damn her!"

The door suddenly opened and he quickly composed himself, seeing that it was Marie. "Lamar went into town and said the new furniture you ordered will be a few days late." He still hadn't turned to look at her. He didn't want her to see that he was crying, but Marie knew otherwise. "A letter also came for the Madame."

Erik turned back and snatched the letter from her hands. He read who is was from and sighed in relief. He had wondered if she would dare to send secret letter to her old lover, but so far it seemed that none came in. "Give it to her," he said, handing her back the letter and trying not to make his voice crack.

"If you want, we can begin to hang the new paintings?" said Marie, carefully.

Erik nodded. "Sure. That's fine."

Marie smiled and left the music room. Erik took a deep breath and gulped his sorrow down. He will not be seen as the fool.

"How was it that the horse threw you? Did Monsieur Erik get on top of you?" Mae asked Anne. However, Anne was in another world. She had changed into something more comfortable and was lying in bed. Her fingers traced her lips. She couldn't get the kiss or Erik out of her head. "Not on purpose, of course," continued Mae, immediately.

"No, I just got scared and pulled back," she replied. Her smile still didn't go away. She also thought of his hands on her.

"Well, thank goodness your husband is a doctor and attended to you right away," said Mae. "Of course where did he learn medicine? It seems that man does it all!"

Anne turned her head. "I don't know. I never asked him." She gave a small laugh. "In reality, I know very little about him."

Mae laughed. "Don't worry about that, Madame. Any one, after ten years of marriage never really knows her husband well. Most just are arranged marriages."

Anne just smiled and wondered what secrets Erik was hiding. She wondered who he was in reality. A kind, passionate, and loving man who had a temper or was it just an act to have a rich and pretty wife?

A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. "Come in," she called.

Marie came in. "A letter arrived for you, Madame."

"Merci," she said, opening it.

Marie was curious, as well as Mae, about what was written in the letter, but Mae shoved her off so Anne wouldn't get suspicious. Mae was trying very hard to befriend the missus. She would tell Marie later anyways. "Who wrote you?" said Mae, cheerfully.

"My aunt Charlotte," replied Anne. "She wants to come and visit."

"Oh, but what's the problem?" asked Mae, looking at the worried face Anne had. "I don't think Monsieur Erik won't mind, no?"

"No, but it doesn't matter."

"Why do you say that? You'll feel more accompanied with someone of your family, but you always have me if you need me."

Anne smiled. "Thank you. The problem is that I'm returning to Paris in a few days. For a short time of course," she replied quickly. "My husband gave me permission."

"Yes, the newlywed girls always miss their parents," said Mae. She knew it was otherwise. Both were on shaky grounds, but with her away Marie can take advantage of the situation and take over Anne's place. Something happened between the two. Maybe she wasn't a virgin when he lay with her. How would she love to know!

Anne stopped short when she saw Erik coming in the room. She was coming from the bathroom.

"How are you feeling," he asked.

"Fine, thank you," she said softly, heading towards her bed. He noticed her limp and helped her to her bed. His touch made her uneasy… in a good way.

"I'm going to write to your mother and tell her to bring someone to come get you or send you to Paris."

"And what are going to tell her?" asked Anne, frightened.

"The truth and then I guess she'll find away to tell your father."

Anne sighed. "Thank you. I appreciate it." Erik noticed the letter that was sent to her earlier. "It's from my aunt," explained Anne as if reading his mind. "Would you like to read it?"

"No, no, it's fine." They were in an awkward silence. Erik wanted to go over and kiss her again, but he held his place. "Well, I hope you have a good night," he said and left the room.

It was strange to Anne. Now every time she saw him her heart would race. Her stomach gave her butterflies. What in the world was happening to her?

Erik glared at the woman who was standing at the foot of the stairs looking very nervous. "What did my wife speak to you about last night?" he asked Adrianne.

"Excuse me?"

"Look, I'm capable of letting you work here for the sake of Father Alexandre, but if you don't tell me the truth, I swear I'll change my mind," growled Erik.

"Well, I saw her walking with her luggage and I asked where she was going. She told me she was leaving," she said carefully. She doubt Anne would also have explained to Erik their entire story.

"Why?" asked Erik. Adrianne stayed silent. "WHY?" he barked.

"S-She said that the two of you didn't understand each other." Erik turned away in frustration. "That's why I told her not to leave because of bandits. They told me that Mademoiselle Marie's father died because of those bandits and I was afraid for the misuses safety."

"Who else knew that she was going to leave me?"

Adrianne longed to touch and comfort her son. To take him into her arms and be the mother she ought to be. "No one, sir," she said, sweetly.

"I meant who have you told," he accuse harshly as he turned to face her.

"No one I swear," she said taking a step back. Erik again turned his head away. "I would never tell anyone about the things that happen between you and Madame Anne."

"Things! Things!" barked Erik, stepping closer to her. "Does that mean Annabelle already told you what happened between us!"

Adrianne shook her head furiously and looked down. "N-No, no, of course not. It's just that she looked very scared and sad. I felt sorry for her because she's a good person, sir," she said, thinking fast.

"How is a woman a good person when she tried to leave her husband, hmm?" Adrianne said nothing. Erik scowled at her and marched to his study. She jumped when she heard the door slam. She shook her head. Why was her son suffering like this? One way or another she will try to fix this.

"Erik said that he was going to write my mother so I can go back home," said Anne as she looked at her window.

"I assume you're happy," said Adrianne a bit bitterly as she straightened up Anne's bed.

Anne smiled. "Part of me is happy, but another part of me isn't. I've behaved awful to him," she whispered, pressing her head against the mirror. "I know my marriage was made by a dirty money trade, but even then I should have been honest. I didn't accept only to help my family from financial ruin, but also because I gave up home in loosing Maurice. It didn't matter if. I married Erik or another. I was egotistic. I didn't pay attention to his feelings. I didn't realize that by not telling me the truth I was giving him false illusions. I feel horrible that I hurt him. Really, I do, Adrianne."

"Is it true that the other is dead to you?" asked Adrianne. "Why can't you get nearer to your husband? Maybe over time, you'll fall in love with him."

"No, Adrianne. Between us there's been too much unpleasant and offensive moments." Adrianne looked down, knowing what she was talking about. There are marks too difficult to erase."

"Well, how do you feel?"

"Good, very good."

"Then why don't you get dressed and take a walk in the gardens? It's such a pretty day."

"I've been speaking with the Madame, but not once has she mentioned about Erik's past," said Mae to Marie. "I don't think she knows that her husband was the Phantom of the Opera. That means their fight might be about her virginity. You know how men are. They don't want leftovers."

"How do we find out?" asked Marie.

"I don't know but it's always best to keep your eyes on this rather than to ignore them," said Mae.

"Mademoiselle Marie," said Lucy coming in. "There's a man here saying he's the new administrator. He asked where Monsieur Erik was, but I told him he wasn't here. He says he wants to speak with the Madame."

"No, I'll speak with him," said Marie going outside to greet the man along with Mae. "Are you the new administrator sent by Monsieur Nadir Khan?"

Maurice stood his ground. On his way to Orleans with Travis, they witness a man murdered and was on his way to the manor. He was going to be the new administrator for the manor. This was his chance to get Anne back. No one will get in the way of their happiness again. He is willing to confront the man who forced her to marry him. "Oui, Mademoiselle, my name is Paul Laroche."

"Je suis Marie Leroy. My father was the last administrator here," she said. "He died just recently."

"My condolences to you, Miss Leroy."

"Yes, he was killed out back during one of his duties," explained Mae.

"Well, this place is very dangerous, we were just robbed," said Maurice.

"Really? Where?" asked Marie.

Maurice pressed his lips together. "Close to the road outside Orleans. They took our horses, luggage, and money."

Mae shook her head. "The nerve of some people. They even steal during day time."

"Oui, I'll tell Erik about this. In the mean time, let me show you to your rooms," said Marie. It was a small house out back where she and her father used to sleep before he died. Maurice, with Travis, tagged along.

Just then Anne was going downstairs to their gardens when she saw the unthinkable. Maurice is here? She thought. She rushed back to Adrianne. She was shaking, her heart pounding and she was beginning to sweat.

"Madame, what's wrong? It looks like you've seen a ghost," said Adrianne.

"A-Adrianne, I just saw these two men. Do you know who they are?"

"Two men?"

"Oui! They were going outside with Marie and Mae. Please, do me a favor and find who they are."

"Oui, Madame…" she said, hesitantly.

"Thank you, Adrianne," she said shakily and rushed back to her room. Adrianne just stared in confusion at Anne's reaction. She wondered what troubled her.

Maurice sighed as he sat on the chair. His leg was aching from a long walk here. "I can't believe we're finally here, Travis."

"Yep, now all we have to meet the boss, huh?" he said.

Maurice nodded. "This woman, Marie, speaks with a lot of confidence about Levesque, don't you think? She even called him by is first name."

Travis shrugged. "Maybe she's his mistress because she talks and orders like if she were the misuses of the house."

"We're going to have to warn Annabelle. She's going to be surprised when she sees me. She might give us away," Maurice said, excitedly.

"Do you know anything about numbers?" asked Travis.

"A bit. I used to do them for my farm, though it's not the same as a manor." A knock interrupted them. Travis went to open the door. Adrianne smiled as she came in.

"Good afternoon," she greeted. "Monsieur Erik is waiting for you in his study, sir."

"Alright," said Maurice, looking back at Travis.

"J m'appelle Adrianne. Mademoiselle Marie told me that I am going to fix your rooms and attend to you in what you need," she went on.

"Isn't Monsieur Erik married?"

"Oui," responded Adrianne.

"Then why is Mademoiselle Marie making all the orders and not his wife?" asked Maurice.

Adrianne almost rolled her eyes at that. She wasn't fond of that either. "Well, the Madame has been under the weather lately."

Maurice's eyes widened. "She's sick?" he burst out. Adrianne eyed him oddly. He took in a deep breath and took his posture again. "What does she have?"

"Nothing too grave. She hurt her back when she fell trying to ride a horse," she answered.

Maurice nodded. "Tell Monsieur Levesque that I'll be right there." Adrianne nodded and excused herself from the room. Maurice's jaw tightened. "It better be that way and I hope that this sorry bastard doesn't take joy in beating defenseless woman." He turned to Travis. "Why don't you go walk around and find out something about Belle. Finally, I'll be able to face the man who took my Belle from me."

There's hope between Anne and Erik! I hope you enjoyed this chapter and please review! Thank you!

PS - There are also new characters added to my profile if you would like to see them.