“Benjamin! Stop this torture, at once!” Her mother’s voice cut through the tense air.
How long was she standing there?
Theodora gazed helplessly at her. Lady Dowell looked as though she had aged ten years in the last two days.
Lord Dowell grunted. “Torture? I am stating facts.”
“You are humiliating our daughter.” Her mother scolded him like a child. “And for what? To soothe your own pride?”
“My pride is all that stands between this family and ruin!” He barked.
Lady Dowell laughed humorlessly. The sound was unnatural and it made Theodora’s skin crawl. She stepped forward, placing herself between him and their daughter.
“You are the reason this family is ruined.”
Lord Dowell’s face darkened. “Do not insult me in my own house.”
“Do not torment our child in her own home,” she shot back. “God knows she has suffered enough keeping your dirty secrets.”
He swore under his breath, brushed past her, and left the room. Theodora tried to stand tall and keep her chin up. She pretended as though she wasn’t falling apart.
I am a composed, rational woman. As I have always been.
But when her mother reached her and wrapped her arms around her, the last of Theodora’s strength gave way. A sharp pain shot through her chest and her knees buckled. She let out an inhuman cry and collapsed, dragging her mother down with her, whilst sobbing into her shoulder.
“Oh, Theodora, my darling. Theo, breathe,” her mother whispered, holding her tightly. “Please, breathe.”
But Theodora could not breathe. She couldn’t think. And she couldn’t understand how everything had fallen apart so quickly. She had been so careful and cautious. She had tried so hard to keep her world in order. And now everything was shattered.
Her mother stroked her hair and spoke softly despite her own trembling. “It is all right. I am here. It is all going to be all right.”
“He left,” Theodora croaked and felt that sharp pain again, pulsing through her chest and travelling along her entire body.
“I know,” her mother whispered.
“He left.” Theodora sobbed.
Nothing made sense.
“Why did he leave me, Mother?”
Her mother held her tighter. “My sweet girl, I am so sorry.”
Theodora’s sobs grew harsher. Her breath came in sharp, painful gasps. She felt humiliated, foolish, and exposed. She had allowed herself to hope, just a little, and just enough to imagine that someone had come to save her. But now that hope had been ripped away.
Her mother cupped her face gently. “Look at me.”
Theodora forced her eyes open.
“This is not your fault,” she said firmly. “Do you hear me? None of this is your fault.”
Theodora shook her head. “He did not want me and I thought—I thought he would. I am a fool, Mother.”
“Heis the fool,” Lady Dowell said. “A frightened fool.”
Theodora let out a broken laugh. “I do not even believe in love. I never have. I never wanted any of this.”
Her mother brushed a tear from her cheek. “Not believing in love does not protect you from heartbreak.”
