Alexandra's cottage, nestled in the quiet outskirts of the forest, was a stark contrast to the grand estate her brother Wesley had left behind. He had traveled from the opulent confines of Blackwood Manor, a majestic estate renowned for its sprawling gardens, exquisite architecture, and ancestral legacy. The manor was a place of prestige and power, but it also held memories of betrayal and loss.
As Wesley entered the cozy, dimly lit cottage, the scent of burning wood and herbs filled the air, mingling with the faint aroma of fresh bread. Alexandra greeted him with a warm embrace, but their reunion quickly turned to the pressing matters at hand.
For hours, they plotted and schemed, their conversations filled with hushed whispers and intense deliberations. The room seemed to grow darker with their plans, the weight of their shared purpose almost palpable. Their minds were sharp, their resolve unyielding.
In the midst of their discussion, Wesley's eyes fell upon a portrait of Adelaide, propped against the wall. Her beauty was captivating, and an idea began to form in his mind. He walked over to the portrait, tracing the delicate lines of her face with his finger, a determined glint in his eye.
"I will make her mine," Wesley declared, his voice low and menacing.
Alexandra, sensing his distraction, reminded him of their true purpose. "Wesley, don't forget why we're here. The Duke's grandparents murdered our father and made our mother's life a living hell. We promised her on her deathbed that we would avenge his death."
Her words brought a surge of anger to Wesley's heart, the memories of their childhood and their mother's suffering flooding back. They had been just eight years old, standing by their dying mother, her frail hand clutching theirs as she made them vow to seek justice. The promise had been seared into their hearts, shaping their lives and fueling their determination.
Wesley's face contorted with rage, his fists clenching at his sides. "They will pay," he spat. "They will all pay for what they did to us, for every moment of misery they caused."
Alexandra watched him, her own heart hardening with resolve. She knew Wesley's intentions toward Adelaide were complicated, but she also knew that their quest for vengeance was the only thing that had kept them going all these years. Their bond, forged in pain and strengthened by their shared purpose, was unbreakable.
Together, they stood in the dim light of the cottage, their eyes burning with the fire of their resolve. The Duke of Ashbourne and his family would soon learn that the past was not forgotten, and that the sins of the ancestors would be paid for in full.
The Ashbourne manor had been enveloped in an uncomfortable silence since the earlier incident between Adelaide and Luca. The tension was palpable, affecting the servants and leaving a somber atmosphere in its wake.
At breakfast, Luca made a valiant attempt to start a conversation, but Adelaide brushed him off with curt replies and downcast eyes. The pattern repeated at lunch, with Luca's efforts met with the same chilly reception. By dinner, Luca's patience had worn thin. He instructed the stewards to move Adelaide's seat to the space beside him, determined to break through the wall between them.
Adelaide opened her mouth to protest but quickly remembered her place and fell silent, her expression a mask of resignation. Throughout the meal, Luca tried to engage her, even resorting to nudging her foot under the table. She remained stoic, her demeanor unyielding. Frustrated and defeated, Luca finally gave up, focusing on his meal in silence.
After dinner, Luca could no longer contain his frustration. He chased Adelaide down the corridor, startling the servants who looked on in surprise. Catching up to her at the door of her room, he dropped to his knees, the action shocking Adelaide.
"Please, get up," she begged, her voice trembling with a mix of concern and confusion.
"I'm sorry," Luca began, his eyes filled with a sincerity that Adelaide had not seen before. "I'm just not used to being touched. It's something I've struggled with for a long time."
Adelaide's heart softened at his words, seeing the vulnerability he rarely showed. "You don't have to apologize," she said gently. "I understand."
"No," Luca insisted, taking her hands in his. "You should be able to touch me. You're my wife. You're allowed to touch my hair, my face, my arms… my forearms."
Adelaide felt a spark of happiness, a sense of victory that Luca was beginning to open up to her. She squeezed his hands, a small smile breaking through her composed exterior.
Later that night, they lay in bed together, a newfound sense of connection between them. Luca stared at Adelaide's face, illuminated by the soft moonlight filtering through the window. He thought about his life before she came, filled with solitude and guarded emotions. Now, with Adelaide beside him, there was a glimmer of hope that things could be different.
As sleep began to claim him, Luca whispered, "Thank you for being patient with me."
Adelaide, already on the edge of slumber, squeezed his hand in response, her heart filled with a cautious optimism for what the future might hold for them.
~~~
After meeting with Alexandra, Wesley retired to his chambers, his mind swirling with thoughts of revenge and schemes. The intensity of their plotting left him restless, his emotions running high. Jenna, a maid who had often caught his eye, entered his room, her presence an unexpected distraction.
The encounter escalated quickly. Wesley, consumed by his own turmoil, was rough and unrelenting. He took Jenna's maidenhead, causing her pain at different intervals. Her cries of discomfort did little to temper his actions, and the brutality of the night left her trembling and broken.
In the early hours of the morning, Wesley awoke and immediately ordered Jenna to leave, his voice cold and dismissive. Humiliated and hurting, she began to gather her things, but before she could escape, he grabbed her again, forcing himself upon her once more. Her cries echoed through the silent manor, but no one came to her aid.
After the second assault, Jenna lay on the floor, her body wracked with sobs. She looked up at Wesley with a mix of fear and defiance. "I'll expose you," she spat. "I'll tell everyone about what you and your sister are planning for the Duke."
Wesley's eyes darkened with a chilling resolve. He couldn't allow Jenna to ruin their plans, couldn't risk her revealing the depths of their schemes and the promise they had made to their mother. Without a moment's hesitation, he made a decision that would forever stain his soul.
Moving with a terrifying calmness, Wesley grabbed a nearby candlestick, its heavy metal base gleaming ominously in the dim light. Jenna's eyes widened in terror, but she was too weak to fight back. In a swift, brutal motion, he brought the candlestick down, ending her life.
As her body lay still, Wesley's breath came in harsh gasps. The gravity of his actions settled over him, but there was no room for remorse. He needed to clean up the evidence and ensure that their plans for revenge remained undiscovered. Dragging her lifeless body from his chambers, he vowed that nothing—and no one—would stand in the way of avenging his father's death.