Wednesday 20th April
Rose took a deep breath as the train pulled in to Philadelphia- she was somehow nervous yet excited. Nervous to see Cal… excited to see Tilly.
She disembarked the train and quickly headed back to the mansion… the place she would have to start calling 'home' again.
—
As she reached the house, she looked down at Sophia who was staring up at her. She stroked her cheek before leaning down, kissing her forehead and sighing "I'm so sorry we had to come back baby" she said before continuing the walk up to the house. She knocked on the door and was met by a frustrated looking Cal - she was somewhat surprised that he didn't appear as angry.
"Sweet pea" he said firmly "welcome home" he continued as he moved aside, welcoming Rose back to the mansion. "Where is she? Where's Matilda?" Rose said panicked. "Nice to see you too, darling" Cal replied "Cal, please, where is she?" she begged "Elizabeth!" Cal shouted, making Rose jump. Elizabeth came rushing in to the hallway just a matter of seconds later "yes Sir? Oh… Miss Rose, it's so good to see you!" Elizabeth smiled, she had missed Rose. "Please take Sophia up to her nursery and settle her. I will have Miss Jones sent up shortly to take over, can you please send herself and Matilda downstairs" Cal said "OK Sir" Elizabeth replied as she walked over to Rose, giving her an apologetic look before taking Sophia. Rose watched sadly as Elizabeth carried her up the stairs… she best get used to this, now she was back at the mansion, it would be nannies raising her children.
Rose stood with Cal at the bottom of the stairs, she waited impatiently for her daughter to appear- it felt like forever before she did. "Mummy!" Tilly screeched, seeing Rose before running to her. "Hey!" Rose said as she lifted her up and held her as close as she possibly could. "I'm so sorry, darling" she almost cried to her daughter as she continually kissed her head. Tilly just held on to her "it's OK…" she whispered back.
"Matilda" Cal interrupted, causing Rose to put Tilly back on the floor. "Please return to your bedroom, your Mother and I have things to discuss" Tilly looked up at Rose, hoping she wouldn't have to listen to her Father's orders. "Go on, I'll see you later" Rose said, stroking her cheek. She wanted nothing more than to go and get to Sophia and leave with her and Matilda, but she knew that was no longer an option.
"Shall we go to my study?" Cal raised an eyebrow. Rose nodded weakly and followed him. "Care to explain why you left?" He asked firmly "because you're abusive… you hit me, in front of our children, all because I didn't birth a son… something completely out of my control. I wasn't prepared to live with that and for the girls to assume it was normal and acceptable for a man to hit his wife" she replied bravely, shocking herself. "I don't think that's an acceptable reason to leave with my children and run away, causing me to have to think of an excuse as to where my wife and children had disappeared to" he raised an eyebrow "Forgive me, but you didn't consider them your children until today" she replied "Look Rose, I won't punish you or take this any further if you stay. If you choose to leave again, you will be leaving Matilda and Sophia here with me. Do you understand?" Rose nodded "yes darling" she sighed quietly. This was it… she would be staying in this hellhole… she had no choice, she was not prepared to leave the girls. "Good. I'm glad we've cleared that up. Right, please find something to do to occupy yourself. Leave the children to be cared for by Miss Jones… as I said before you left 'it is not a woman's job to raise her children'. You can however wish them goodnight before they go to bed this evening" he said as though Rose should be grateful. "Thank you…" she forced a weak, gentle smile. "You may go" he nodded and watched as she stood up to leave, she rushed to the toilet to cry as soon as she did.