Chapter 5
Lately, both Weston Carrington and I had been busy.
He was preparing for Isabelle “Belle” Knight’s return to the States, while I was making plans to take the children and leave.
If I wanted to slip away from the ever–watchful Carrington family, timing had to be perfect.
Though the kids said they didn’t care about their father, the day before we were set to leave, they sat staring wistfully at a picture of Weston.
After much hesitation, I finally dialed Weston’s number
The line connected, but his voice was as impatient as ever.
“What is it?”
“The kids want to see you. Would you come by one last time?”
Would he come for one final goodbye?
“Weston, I finally made it back, and you’re not even paying attention to me. I’m going to be upset!”
Isabelle’s voice chimed in the background.
He was with her.
Without a second’s hesitation, he hung up.
When fate has run its course, even a final meeting becomes too much to hope for!
On the bedside table, my Portrait of a Countryside Girl still hung, as if the fragrance of the fields could seep out at any moment.
I flicked the lighter and set it ablaze.
The fire licked eagerly at everything in the room, spreading rapidly through the manor.
Our marriage, which began with fire, would end in fire.
As the flames roared around us, I held Ethan and Lillian’s hands and walked away, not once looking back.
Weston, I’ve returned your freedom to you.
The fire raged on, consuming everything, even what should have been permanent.
I returned to Grandma Lucille’s Homestead.
Since her passing, the house had remained untouched, blanketed in layers of dust.
Brushing it away, I could almost see her offering me a big, ripe watermelon, urging me to eat.
She would slice it in half, and if that wasn’t enough, she’d let me scoop it out with a spoon. Her eyes crinkled with joy as she laughed at the mess I’d make.
Now, I lived quietly with the kids, emulating the simple, serene life she had once led.
We tilled the weed–choked garden with small hoes, reclaiming the land inch by Inch
News reports buzzed with stories of the fire that destroyed Carrington Manor suggestion that Weston’s wife and their twin children were lost
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in the blaze.
As the inferno devoured everything, Weston was in a hotel with Isabelle.
She excused herself, claiming she needed to freshen up, leaving Weston waiting
He knew exactly what her invitation implied.
