The thunderstorm rattled the glass pane in Faye's bedroom. The storm wasn't just brewing outside, it was about to sneak into her house as well. She held Louis in her arms as he was still a baby. Aloïs sat wrapped around her arm, watching his little brother. The lights were all out but none of the three were afraid of the dark. They had always found it comforting. Faye could hear loud voices coming from outside that kept getting louder. There was fighting and bloodshed just below her room. But she stayed glued to her kids and didn't flinch even a bit.
She knew in her heart that this attack wasn't like the ones before. These people weren't some politics goons, here to destroy the sole heir of the Valentine family. She knew it somewhere deep down, from the voices and from the way things happened that this time was different. These people weren't something that would leave before their work here was done.
She looked at her kids, carving their faces in her memory. She held them close, feeling their warmth, awaiting the fate, her sins had inflicted upon her.
The door sprung open soon. She didn't need to move to know who had come to pay her a visit.
Aloïs ran towards the door and hugged his father. Benoit came towards Faye and got on his knees to kiss Louis on his forehead. Faye didn't spare him a look. The noise outside hadn't died.
"Faye", it was rare for him to address her using her name, she looked up at him.
"I suppose all this must be really uncomforting for you. I wish things were more peaceful, it is so loud today, isn't it?"
She made no reply.
"We're trying our best. Cassius went outside but...I haven't seen him since. I hope the mob didn't get him. I told the ladies to hide downstairs. They'll be fine."
Faye looked at him questioningly.
"You are beautiful", he had never said this before, "So are they."
He caressed his children and went on.
"I don't think I've ever been able to give you the happiness you deserved. I'm sorry I failed. I wish I could have done more. I wonder...was I even close?", he smiled weakly.
She was puzzled, almost knowing what he was trying to say.
He leaned in to kiss her forehead.
"I wish I was a better father to them, but now this is all I can do. I hope I can make up for everything I miss out on later", saying this he smiled and left.
She never saw him again. The mansion was overrun that night.
She had locked herself with her kids in her room and as the moonlight filled her room even through the storm brewing outside, she embraced her kids.
"I will save us all", she kissed them one by one.
When the door sprung open and the invaders came in, she was gone. Aloïs stood protectively over his brother. That was the night the Valentine family was crushed.