A/N: Thank you all, who are coming back to re-read this journey that captivated my creative heart from day one as my fingers began dancing away at my keyboard, oozing with this story. :) I hope you continue to enjoy it. Emma's POV will be posted next in a few hours. Happy reading!

Just a little reminder, to those of you who haven't read Forbidden Temptations in third-person yet, PLEASE READ THAT FIRST, to avoid any confusions or unanswered questions that you will have.

These two versions of the story will contain differences that the other does not have.

Chapter 3: Regina

I sat in front of my vanity, avoiding my reflection at all cost. The bedroom is semi-dark. The only source of light came from the light bulbs that were stationed around the vanity mirror. I reach for my bottle of lotion, squirt some cream on the palm of my hand and rub it along my calves, followed by my thighs. Leopold was still locked in his office, busying himself with work. And I hoped it remained that way until I fell asleep. Chances were less of him bothering me if I was asleep.

God, he was such an ogre at dinner tonight. Poor Emma. I shake my head as I recall his interrogation toward Emma's choices regarding her future. Sometimes Leopold could really anger me. The way he loved stepping all over people he didn't like as if they were an ant and he was the boot. But, Emma was far from being an ant. The corners to my lips curve into a small smile at how confident the girl had been tonight.

Emma definitely had potential.

Reaching for my bottle of lotion, I squirt some against my palm again and place the bottle right back against the vanity. With my free hand, I undo the silk strands that held my gown together. I part open the hems, enough to expose my chest. I expose one of my shoulders and begin rubbing the lotion right on it in an upper and downward motion, followed by my neck, then back down to my bicep. My eyes couldn't help staring at my reflection back through the mirror.

I repeat the same steps with my other shoulder, stopping as my fingers come in contact with my bruise. The pain reminded me of the beating I had endured this morning. Leopold could turn into such an animal. Or worse. My eyes remain on my saddened reflection and I wonder: how the hell could my life sink so low?

It was all my mother's doing, of course. My father worked hard to support her, and she would blow away the money on mindless things. The Orchard wasn't doing well at the time and money wasn't coming in for my father. My mother, of course, met Leopold as he worked his way into our lives and started noticing his interest in me. When I was once a young, sixteen year old girl. How sick was that? I know.

I can still hear one of the last conversations I ever had with my mother…

'Leopold White is our key to a secure and financial future, Regina. Think about it. Out of anyone he could have gained interest in- he chose you.'

'And what if I don't want to marry him? What if I don't love him?'

'Who says you have to love him? Don't be foolish, dear. An opportunity like this doesn't come knocking on your door a second time. Love doesn't matter. You're doing this.'

My mother never cared for love. She didn't even love me. Sometimes I wondered if she even loved my father at all. All she ever cared about was money, and to be given everything her heart desired. And what angers me most, was the fact that she died with that hole in her heart. Then again, I don't think she ever cared about that either. She certainly didn't blink an eye or place her heart along her heart before handing me over to a man who was every bit a monster as she was.

I was glad she was dead.

I know. I would probably go to hell for that, but I'm not going to lie about it.

My mother loved me her way. It just so happened it wasn't the correct way to love a child, or a teenage girl. She wasn't at all like my father.

My father was everything I hope to someday be. He was everything I hoped I was for Audrey while she was growing up. I hope I was and have been the best parent possible for Audrey.

How I missed my father. There wasn't a day where I didn't wish he was still alive and present. Would he be here, I wouldn't have to be living this so-called life. He would have been brave enough to stand up to Leopold, no matter the consequences.

My father would be rolling over in his grave, disappointed in me for staying around in Leopold's life. I shake my head at the thought.

I am such a disappointment.

I would and could never be like my father. My father would have told me to tell both Leopold and my mother to go to hell and run away as far as I could. He would have told me to be true to my real feelings instead of hiding them. And stand up for them at all costs. But I could never do that now. It was too late.

I hiss as my hand travels along my shoulder blade. I twist my body and expose a bit of it along the reflection of the mirror and my eyes grow wide in horror to discover that the bruise ran along part of my back, too. Bastard. My lip curled upward in silent anger toward my husband.

His beatings always had a way of surprising me, even when I expected them.

I sometimes wonder what different kind of life I would have lived, had I not been forced into this marriage. Would I have had a chance to find love? Actually find someone to love like Audrey and Emma found each other? Or would I have ended up with another abusive person?

How I wish I could be brave enough to shout what I wanted to shout. To live what I wanted to live, with whomever I wanted to live it with. How I wish I could be brave and stand up for what I wanted the most. Like Audrey. At least she didn't get my cowardliness from me. And unlike me, she actually stands in front of her father with the woman she loves even beyond his glares.

I could never do that. It wasn't in the cards for me to ever meet a beautiful woman and hope to fall in love.

My head whips toward my bedroom window to the sound of rich laughter, followed by the sounds of loud splashing taking place along the patio. As I lift myself up from my seat and move to stand near my bedroom window, with the curtains drawn, I look down at the pool and catch sight of Audrey and Emma playfully splashing one another with matching smiles on their faces. They had gone for a late night swim. The corners of my lips slightly tilted as I watched how easily Emma lifted up Audrey's body over her shoulder, and splashed her back along the water while Audrey screamed her lungs out.

It must be nice to date someone like Emma. Enjoy a nice, loving and playful relationship. That's how they were supposed to be, and I couldn't be happier that my daughter had what I could never have.

I can't help but keep staring and take notice of how differently Emma's arms tangle around Audrey's waist as they share a passionate kiss. How easily they become lost in it. The way Emma kissed her really gave away her feelings toward Audrey. It almost makes me jealous for not being able to have something I most desperately wanted.

But, how could I ever trust anyone enough to have it?

"You're still awake? I figured you would be sleeping by this hour. You usually are." As usual, Leopold's voice startles me away from my thoughts. My eyes close for a moment, and I wish I could be anywhere else but in this bedroom right now. I could leave, but that would just create a fight with him.

"I couldn't sleep." I say, keeping my back to him as I keep my eyes trained on Audrey and Emma.

I can hear Leopold shuffling behind me, possibly removing his Rolex as he tended to do every night before coming to bed. I could hear him remove his belt and it made me flinch a little, but not enough to look away from the window as Emma and Audrey shared another mutual laugh with one another.

"What on earth is Audrey doing out there?" I heard him ask, followed by his footsteps as he approached to stand behind me. Close enough for him to look out the window for himself.

"Her and Emma are enjoying a late night swim." I reply with a ghost of a smile playing along my lips.

"What do you think of this Emma Swan girl?" I heard him ask as he stood a little closer to me.

I give a shrug as I say, "I frankly don't know much about her yet to be sure, but from what I do know, I think she's a nice girl with a bright future ahead of her." Leopold didn't really care about my opinion on the matter. Because in the end, what he said is what would be. But I gave him my honest answer anyway.

"Bright, you say?" I could hear him chuckle and I could almost be sure he was shaking his head right behind me.

I roll my eyes at his mockery and say, "She thrives on excitement just as our daughter does. Frankly, I think she's good for Audrey."

"If I didn't know any better, Regina, I'd say you are quite fond of her yourself." His voice went low as he said this to me and it made chills run down my spine every single time.

I once told him about my deepest secret. And he made me regret that I ever mentioned anything to him by proceeding to show me what I had been 'missing.' And that once I had a man like him, the idea of wanting a woman would evaporate. God, did they ever. Not really, but I got used to the idea that if I ever met a beautiful woman, she would never be for me.

And as sad as my life was. I didn't trust anyone fully enough to dare and fall in love.

What good would that do me now, anyway? I was too scared to even leave Leopold's side. I had become a coward, who rather lived in fear than fight for a life of her own.

And because I had let him in on this secret of mine, hoping that he would have a change of heart and let me go- that secret- had become my lock and key to his side.

I turned to face him and I found him towering over me, trying to intimidate me. It works, of course, but my anger was so much tonight that I couldn't control what came out of my mouth next. "Now you're going to second guess what I say, when you practically asked me for my opinion? And besides, what's wrong with liking someone nice for our daughter to date? Isn't that what you should want as well, as her father?"

This wasn't about Audrey. This was him trying to make sure that I didn't like Emma too much. Also because he never liked the idea of me having many friends in my life. He allowed my friendship with Belle because she was the young wife- a little younger than I was even- of one of his coworkers and good friends. And Daniel, well, I didn't see much of him. Sidney, he worked for Leopold, even if the man did offer me a sign of friendship ever since I stepped foot in this house.

But, really, what was wrong with me liking Emma? I did like her. For my daughter.

Emma certainly seemed to be good for her.

"It is." He nods at me, still towering. "On that we can agree. Why, the way I see it, Audrey is the one good thing you've ever done in your life, and if anyone ever hurt her in any way… I would personally see to it that they met their demise."

'The one good thing.' He always loved reminding me of that, making me feel less than. And it worked. Every time. He was right after all. I hadn't done much of anything to feel proud of myself, except to hang on strong to continue to live in this so-called life of mine. But even that small choice had been in question recently.

My brow raised at the irony of his words, and decided to challenge him at that moment. Why? That's an answer I'll possibly never know. "Yes…" I chuckle, actually chuckle at the bastard and say, "I'm sure it would be tragic for you to discover that Emma or anyone else she dates was beating on her, wouldn't it?"

It was ironic. An abuser going against abuse when he practically bistode it upon his own wife almost every single day?

Of course, my challenging him didn't sit well with him at that moment. "Now, Regina…" I glare up into his eyes and see them darken. "I would be careful of what comes out of your mouth next. Do not dare to question the love I feel for you and my daughter." He says to me.

"Love?" I release a scoffing sound mixed in with a chuckle. "I highly doubt that a monster like yourself knows the meaning of that word, dear. Especially for Audrey." Once again, my own words surprise me. Maybe it was the fact that we had company and I felt somewhat secure that with company in the house, he would not try anything against me. How wrong I was.

As I brush past him, attempting to climb into bed I feel his hand grab onto my wrist in a rough manner. For a man his age, older than I was, much older, Leopold was a strong man. And as my free hand grabbed onto his wrist, his other one grabbed onto mine. Stronger this time. My head whips around to give a quick glance along the window, and I catch sight of Audrey and Emma smiling happily, sharing a kiss. And in that moment, I could also feel my body being moved and pressed up against the wall, hiding us from the view of the window. A grunt escapes me as I feel Leopold lock me in by pressing his forearm along my throat.

I could feel the grip on his arm tighten along my throat, leading me to grunt in pain and with my free hand, hold onto his bicep, gripping tightly. His other free hand made sure to hold onto my other wrist, pinning against the wall. Keeping me a prisoner between him and the hard wall behind me. I could hear Audrey's and Emma's laughs outside, and see Leopold's eyes focus on them with a quick glance. Their rich laughter being the only thing I chose to focus on as I heard it louder, blocking Leopold's voice as he spoke an inch away from my face. Ugh. I always hated when he did that. It was worse when he's had one too many drinks.

"Don't fight me," He hissed at me, his eyes darting back and locking onto mine. I know he could see my fear right through them. He thrived on that. With my hand that was located around his bicep, I attempted to remove his arm away from my throat as I could feel him put more pressure along it. But, who were kidding? I was trapped until he said otherwise.

My body automatically gave up, and I listened. As I always did.

"Now, I don't think I need to tell you that I don't need you to tell me what I can and cannot feel. Especially for my own daughter." His breath tickled along my cheek as he spoke to me. "Because it so happens that I do love Audrey. I love her very much, and if you ever dare to think otherwise than what I say again, I promise you Regina, I may just kill you myself to make my point clear."

He meant it. I knew he meant what he said. Leopold was a dangerous man, who not only liked control but enjoyed hurting others. I could see the anger in his eyes ready to boil out. Of course, I knew he wouldn't kill me. Not now. Because a man like Leopold White needed me for his own sick and twisted pleasures, until he deemed otherwise. And I knew he wasn't through with me yet. Besides, if he were to kill me now, he knew that would just be an easy way out for me. I would feel no more pain. I would be free of him. That actually didn't sound like a bad idea half the time. But of course he wouldn't bring himself to actually do it, because that would only mean that the only person he cares about in this world would hate him forever and see him for what he truly was.

And that was the last thing Leopold wanted.

All the signs were there for me. Deep down I knew, sooner or later, he would attempt to do worse. It was like an alarm I couldn't hit the snooze button on.

"Are we clear, dear?" He hissed once again along my face. Clearly getting back at me for the tone I had spoken to him in earlier. That was one thing about Leopold. He never forgot anything. His memory was as sharp as a tack. If only he could use that power for good instead of evil. Wishful thinking, of course.

I couldn't nod, I could no longer move as Leopold's arm just kept pressing along my throat, harder and harder until I had a hard time to breathe. I could see his face turning red with anger and hate toward me. How could someone who says to love you do such things as hurt you? This wasn't love. I may not have experience when it came to it, but I knew what love was. My eyes shut tight on me and I could feel pearls of tears form at the corners of my eyes. And it wasn't until I gagged for a breath that he released me, going about his nightly routine as if what he had done was the most normal thing in the world, while I hunched over, my hand grasping around my own throat as I coughed with no means to an end.

My hand lands on the window ledge as I catch my breath. I can hear the door to the bathroom close behind me as Leopold makes his way in. And that's when my eyes turn to look outside the window as I feel someone watching me. I looked over to find the pool had been vacant, followed by Emma's form, standing just off to the side. Her shirt stuck to her wet skin as she held a towel in her hand. She was looking up at me! Her eyes were so fixated on me that it made me wonder if she had seen anything. Surely not. Leopold had moved us aside for that very reason, so that no one would notice what was happening inside our bedroom just distance away. Then, why was Emma staring up at me? The thought of her having seen something frightened me. What if she had seen something?

So what if she did? That didn't mean anything. She wasn't here to save you.

I glared down at her, not really meaning to, but the anger that boiled inside of me took over in that instant. So much that I took it upon myself to shut the curtains of the bedroom window. My eyes close as I turn my back toward the closed curtains and I take a deep breath.

"Emma! What are you looking at?" I hear Audrey's voice just outside the window. Followed by Emma's.

"Nothing." She says to Audrey. Was that true? Did she see nothing?

I took a quick peek through the curtains, trying not to move them so much as I pushed one curtain aside with the tip of my finger. I can see Emma take Audrey's hand as it is offered to her. Her eyes glancing my way, for one last look.

"What are you looking at now?" Leopold's voice startles me as he comes out of the bathroom.

I turn. "Nothing," I say to him, choosing to climb into bed, where I feel him shuffle beside me as he lays on his side with his back to me. While I lay on my back, staring up at the ceiling and wondering if in fact, Emma had seen anything.

Breakfast was served early the following morning as I entered the dining room. Leopold had gone into the office earlier that morning. Something I was thankful for. Unlike other wives, I craved his absence from home instead of waiting patiently for his arrival, just so I could greet him by the door with a kiss to his cheek like some TV-mom from the fifties. Ready to take his briefcase from him and serve him a glass of his favorite drink.

Honestly, I couldn't think of a better way to start my mornings.

With Leopold gone, the house always fell quiet. I liked the quiet. There was no sound of any door closing, except those I would close. I had grown accustomed to being alone. I like my solitude from time to time. The only one who would be saddened by Leopold being away at work, slaving away would be Audrey. But, even she liked the idea of doing things with me, enjoying some mother and daughter time. I loved those, too. It always gave me something to look forward to, and got me out of the confinement of this house that sometimes could feel a little too stifling.

I take a seat at the table, reach for the pitcher of orange juice and serve some in my glass. I sigh in content after I take a sip of my cool drink. Even the food and beverages tasted glorious for me when Leopold wasn't around.

"It's a shame dad has to be away all day, isn't it?" Audrey says to me, breaking the tranquil silence that surrounded us.

"Your father loves to work, dear. You know that." I reply, stabbing a slice of pancake with my fork before popping into my mouth.

"I know," I see Audrey frown, all while looking down at her food. "I was just hoping to spend more time with him this summer, that's all. You remember last summer? He literally had to travel for work."

Ah, yes. I remembered that summer well. I almost wanted to smirk at the memory but prevented it for Audrey's sake. At the last minute, Leopold had been called and informed that he had to take a trip to Tokyo on a business trip. Halfway across the globe and away from me. That was nice.

Audrey's disappointed look made my heart ache for her. Would she know the kind of monster her father was, I'm sure she would be as happy as I was.

Suddenly, to help lighten her mood, I think of another person that could do just that as I say, "Well, it's a good thing you have Emma here to keep you company." I smile as my intention works wonders for Audrey. She grins happily at me and my heart has never felt better.

"True," I notice the pink color that coats Audrey's cheeks as she takes a bite of her pancakes. And judging from the sparkle in her eyes, and as her mother, I can tell what she's thinking.

"Audrey," I glare at her from across the table. "Now, you know I only ask this because I worry about you."

"Mom, please don't." She chuckles, brushing back a strand of her hair- which had gotten long- behind her ear as an embarrassment quirk.

I totally understood. No young woman would want to have the sex talk with either of their parents. I certainly never got one from my mother. Maybe that's why I care enough to ask about Audrey's. No matter my lack of experience, I was still her mother and above happy, I wanted her healthy and to know that she was careful.

"Have you two…?" I give her a knowing nod. Hoping to let her know she can trust me, if she ever wanted to talk about it.

"Mom," Audrey murmurs under her breath, avoiding to meet my gaze until she no longer could.

"You know you can talk to me about these things, don't you?" I say to her with my most sincere tone of motherly voice. I give her a warm smile, and she returns one back to me, letting me know that- yes- she did trust me.

"Yes," Audrey smiled once more. "I know, mom. And I'll talk to you about anything, but that."

"I just want to make sure that you're being careful, that's all." I shrug, not looking to push the matter any further.

Audrey chuckles and says to me, "Well, you definitely don't need to worry about me becoming pregnant. Like ever, so," she takes a sip of her orange juice, and I know it's to hide the blush that erupts all the way from her neck. I can feel a blush of my own coming. Audrey would never believe me, but this was as embarrassing for me as it was for her. Even more so because I never had the chance to experience life and or sex the correct way like Audrey has.

I was curious, but above all, jealous. Jealous, but happy for her that she had a life of her own.

I, as her mother, wanted Audrey to have everything I never did.

"Is she good?" Okay, I decided to push a little further, but quickly regretted it once I realized how my question sounded. It reeked curiosity. So much that Audrey's own fork clattered loudly against her plate in surprise just as my eyes bugged out of my head at that moment.

And Audrey's twisted humor didn't help matters as she then said, "Well, if you'd like to find out, why don't you go test her out for yourself?" My cheeks had never turned so red before in my life like they did in that moment. Audrey smirked as she had achieved embarrassing me. Served me right, I suppose.

"Audrey!" I snapped at her in a whisper, seeing my daughter's smirk grow impossibly larger. "That is not what I meant."

"I'm joking, mom. It's called humor."

"Well, you have a twisted sense of humor, dear." I grin along as I shake my head.

But that little twisted sense of humor is what we needed to break the barrier of embarrassment between Audrey and myself.

In that moment, as Audrey took one more sip of her orange juice, she smacked her lips as she placed down her drink and followed with, "She is a really good person, mom," As my eyes lock with Audrey's, I can see the fire in her eyes of love as she talked about Emma. It made me smile. "All jokes aside, Emma is so loving with me. She cares for me, you know? She really does. Intimately… She's very passionate." Passionate? I feel my cheeks wanting to turn crimson again, but thank God, Audrey's words distract me and keep me focused on her opening up to me. "And you haven't seen much of her yet, but she is a romantic." She rolls her eyes in a playful manner. "Something I'm not very much of, but that doesn't seem to bother her."

Ms. Swan- passionate and romantic- all good qualities.

I then became so intrigued. So curious about Ms. Emma Swan. I wanted to know more. About their relationship and about Emma. I wanted to view our conversation not only as mother and daughter but as two long-life best friends. Except one was younger than the other, and more experienced. While I was playing catch-up.

"Have you ever…" I play with the eggs on my plate, moving them in different directions with my fork. Finding them interesting to look at while I ask, "Thought about doing something romantic for her in return?" My eyes look up to find Audrey's locking in.

Audrey shrugs, because she's right- she's never been the romantic type.

"I know you don't need me to say this to you, Audrey, but, things need to be mutual in a relationship. Imagine how wonderful and cherished Emma would feel if you ever did anything romantic for her." I try doing, again, what my own mother never did. Be a mother. Give my daughter my best advice. Although what kind of advice could an inexperienced forty-year-old mother like myself, who's never even been in love, could possibly give her?

"Well, I would love to make her feel cherished. I mean, obviously I know that it isn't enough to tell a person that you love them. You have to show them. Right?"

I nod, "That's right."

"I mean, take you and dad for example," Audrey chuckles and my stomach turns as she naively continues, "I'm sure that if he weren't romantic with you from time to time, you would think he was cheating on you. I certainly wouldn't want Emma to think that of me."

Your father romantic? That'll be the day hell freezes over. I think to myself, brushing the silly thought off as I reply, "I'm sure she doesn't think that of you, Audrey. She wouldn't be here otherwise."

"Well, given your experience with romance. What would you suggest I do?" She says to me.

I frown, but quickly hide it by taking a sip of my orange juice, hoping Audrey can't see right through me. I wasn't completely clueless to not provide her with an answer. God knows I've read enough books to escape my reality to learn a thing or two about being romantic. Not that I would ever get to put it to use.

"Well…" I quickly put my train of thoughts into motion as I continue, "Why not plan a nice evening out that the two of you can enjoy together? Take her out sightseeing? Plan a picnic." I shrug. "It's such a nice day out today. You don't want to spend all summer cooped up in here, do you?"

Suddenly, Audrey perks up and says, "Hey! How about that riding lesson?"

"Oh, I don't know." I quickly shake my head. I loved the Orchard and all it represented, but Audrey and Emma wouldn't be alone if I tagged along.

"Come on, mom. What could be more romantic than a nice day out in the open field?"

"Audrey, we are talking about doing something romantic for your girlfriend. It won't be as romantic if you have me tag along to teach her how to ride a horse." I speak the truth.

"Well, let's ask Emma!" Audrey motions toward Emma as my eyes turn to her figure entering the dining room. Her hair is loose, cascaded over her shoulders and I pick up on the scent of her perfume. She's freshly showered.

"Hey," I watch as Emma smiles at my daughter, walks to where she's sitting, bends down and places a quick peck along her lips before she's taking a seat beside her, helping herself to some breakfast. "Good morning, Mrs- Regina." I heard her correct herself and I'm thankful.

So much and so relieved for her calm state toward me that I greet her with a small smile as I realize that maybe she didn't see anything on last night's commotion. "Good morning, Emma."

"So, my mom and I were just talking and we think that today is a great day to show you how to ride a horse." Audrey grins, her eyes trained on Emma.

As my eyes move toward Emma again, I watch her practically freeze over where she sits as she's pouring herself a glass of orange juice. Her green eyes look directly at me, "Uh…" She chuckles nervously.

I can spot nerves a mile away. Poor dear. I hide my faint smile behind my last bite of breakfast.

"Come on, please! I promise you, it's going to be fun." Audrey practically begs Emma.

I don't blame her for her excitement. The Orchard was certainly a place with magic of its own. And as a future photographer, it's a place even I know Emma would greatly appreciate.

"Well, if it's okay with your mom." Emma's eyes are back on me. "I wouldn't want to interfere with your plans or anything."

How considerate of her. And sweet. I give her a smile as I say, "No plans today. I was just going to catch up on some reading, but I could spare some time in giving lessons."

"So, what do you say, babe? You in?" Audrey turns to Emma with a hopeful grin.

After a minute of stewing it over, Emma said, "Sure." She shrugged one shoulder, providing Audrey with a smile. "What the hell? Okay."

While Audrey's eyes practically light up and she cheers, wrapping Emma in a tight embrace, Emma's eyes turn to me, and I smile.