BLACKTHORNE MANOR
Rhia hummed as she cuddled her son to sleep. After a minute or two, she noticed his breathing was even. He was asleep. She smiled and kissed him gently on his forehead.
"Goodnight, my dearest".
Nathaniel smiled as if sensing his mother's love in his sleep. His mother was truly the best. But why did Father always bully her? Nathaniel thought about all the various reasons in his dreams until he was too tired to do so anymore.
Meanwhile, Rhia smiled at her son's reaction. It felt like it was early spring in her heart. Truly, her son was the best thing that had happened to her in this lifetime.
Her smile slowly faded as a particular man's face flashed in her mind. Lucian.
She sighed heavily as she stood up and made her way to the balcony. She stared deep into the forest right below her.
The Blackthorne Manor was surrounded by various vegetations. And a forest was just half a mile away. This had always been Rhia's escape.
When she wanted to escape reality and vent out her frustrations, she would simply tell it all to nature. It was the only thing that was always there with her and never changed.
But lately, she had not been with her friend for quite a while. Her mind was a mess. And that was why this moment felt too good for her.
Her hair danced mildly in the wind as she closed her eyes, humming softly. The sight of her right now looked magical. Like something out of a fairytale.
But unlike the princesses in there, this one didn't exactly get a prince charming.
RHIA POV
I reopened my eyes after taking a moment to appreciate the wonders before me called nature. It felt good that I wished it would last forever. But it just couldn't because someone kept interrupting.
The thought of Lucian plagued my mind immensely. I didn't know why I was worried. This had been our routine for five years now. We would pretend to be a happy couple in front of our son when it was the direct opposite when he wasn't there.
I would hide the bruises and he would hide his displeasure. All for Natty. Then, why was I so worried now? Why did it bother me so much?
Fortunately, dinner went fine. Excluding the warning he gave me, everything was normal. And I was lucky since he didn't hit me this time.
So, why?
I really didn't know why I was asking myself these questions when I knew the answer already. It was crystal clear.
I recalled the news Lucian told me a few days ago about a soiree that was going to be held at the House of the Beaumonts tomorrow.
The eldest daughter of the Beaumonts, Lady Evangeline Beaumont, had insisted on holding a soiree for her soon to be sister-in-law, Lady Celine Graham.
The Beaumonts were an influential family in Valemere, so as expected, everyone was going to be there. At least, those that mattered. Despite this, Lucian had refused to attend, saying he hated social gatherings and had work to do.
But the moment he heard Lady Dahlia Harcourt, her sister and his old and current flame, was going to be there, he agreed immediately. So, therefore, since my husband was going, I had to go as well.
But still, I felt disturbed. Dahlia, my sister and other tormentor, was going to be there. How could I not worry? Nothing good was bound to come out of it. And if Dahlia was coming, that meant he would be there too.
It just kept getting better and better.
I sighed once more. Tomorrow would surely not be a good day. I was bound to not get enough sleep tonight.
Lucian was obsessed with Dahlia. Matter of fact, that was the very reason for my suffering. To him, I was the only thing that stood in the way of him and Dahlia. It's not like he was wrong, but I didn't want to do this either.
They forced me to do this. They forced me to do everything. Whatever that was happening now was retribution. Including mine.
I sighed heavily once again as I turned to go back into the room. I went in and closed the door to the balcony so as not to let the wind in. That might cause my baby to fall sick.
I looked at his small and cute sleeping figure and smiled.
My joy. At least, the world didn't leave me empty-handed. It had pity on me and gave me what I had always wanted. Someone to call my own.
My smile broadened at the thought.
But just then, I caught something glint from the corner of my eye. I turned and there it was.
The very same bear that had always been hovering around my son. It stood there mightily at the corner of the room, it's red eyes shining viciously. It was expressionless.
It simply stood there, doing nothing but string at my son.
I drew my son closer to me, on guard. This bear, where had it come from? Why was it always with my son? What did it want?
Suddenly, as if sensing my questions, It turned to me and stared deeply, as if examining my soul.