Chapter 41: The Duty Of The Heir (Book 3): Chapter 41

Presley Estates, Wesbury

Standing in the master suite, my heart racing, I’m on the phone with my Aunt Emma, trying to convince her to intervene in a situation that’s spiraling out of control, but it’s not going the way I want it.

‘Aunty, it has to be this week, before Thursday. We can’t let this fall apart,’ I plead, as I pace back and forth in the spacious room.

‘I’ll see if I can make time,’ she responds, but her hesitance is clear.

‘Aunty, please. You have to come to Wesbury. Your friends can wait,’ I say, desperation seeping into my voice.

‘I’ll try,’ she says, but she’s not promising anything.

‘You’re the only one who can get through to Duke, and make him listen. This is more important.” I press on, my frustration mounting.

‘Maybe I can call him?’ She offers a compromise.

‘No, Aunty. It has to be in person. Phone calls just don’t work with him, especially not for something this important,’ I argue, feeling the burden of the situation.

She suggests waiting. ‘Can’t it wait until Saturday?’

‘It can’t wait,’ I insist. ‘The procedures are scheduled for Thursday. We can’t postpone.’

She’s still reluctant. ‘I can’t talk to Duke before Thursday. I’m at a retreat.’

I can’t hide my exasperation. ‘Oh my God, Aunty. Why can’t you prioritize this?’

‘It’s not that simple,’ she starts to explain.

‘You’re at a health retreat, having fun. That’s not urgent. Why can’t you leave?’ I’m nearly pleading now.

‘I came with friends. I’m supposed to be part of the program tomorrow.’ She explains her commitment.

I’m almost begging now. ‘Please, Aunt. You can ask for permission to leave.’

She offers a last resort. ‘Let me try calling him.’

I agree, but without much hope. ‘Fine, try calling. But I don’t think he’ll listen.’

She then asks, ‘Do you think Aisling knows?’

I pause, the weight of the situation sinking in. ‘I’m not sure, but everything is falling apart.’

‘She knows something, Aunt,’ I say, the words sending a cold wave through me.

‘To what extent?’ she asks.

‘I can’t be sure, but she knows. The devil-shaped cookies she sent me, with that thank you note? It’s a clear message,’ I explain, my heart racing just thinking about it.

A soft gasp from her side makes me shift slightly. ‘Are you sure it’s not just a… coincidence?’

“No, Aunt.”

‘She definitely knows something then,’ she muses.

‘Yeah, she does.”

‘So how did she find out?’

‘I’m shocked, Aunt. I have no idea how she could’ve found out,’ I say, the confusion clear.

‘Somebody must be talking,’ she suggests.

‘Yeah, and who knows who it might be,’ I reply, the uncertainty growing.

‘It’s bad.’ She finally acknowledges the gravity of the situation.

‘But we can’t let this stop the process,’ I argue, clinging to my resolve.

‘We might have to wait, Anne. We need to be careful now,’ she advises.

‘No, Aunt, we can’t let this stop us,’ I insist.

‘I’m not sure what’s going to happen next. We need to step back for now,’ she says, her words hitting me like a blow.

‘Why should we step back, Aunt?’ I ask, my frustration mounting.

‘We don’t know the full extent of what Aisling knows. It’s safer to pause and figure out who’s leaking information,’ she explains.

‘Why should we stop or wait because of this?’ I am unable to hide my annoyance.

‘It’s necessary, Anne,’ she says firmly.

‘Why does it matter so much?’ I ask, my frustration boiling over.

‘Aisling is your son’s wife, Anne. She deserves some respect,’ she says, making me roll my eyes.

Throwing my hands up, I can’t contain my frustration any longer. ‘Respect? We’ve been respectful! If we were outright deceitful, it was only because we wanted to shield her. But now? It might be too late for that!’

“Anne..”

‘So what? Isn’t this whole plan because she hasn’t given us what we wanted?’ I can’t hold back my resentment any longer.

‘But she shouldn’t have found out. We have to be discreet,’ she argues.

I feel defiance rise within me. ‘You know what, Aunt Emma? I don’t care anymore.’ My words are defiant, a clear stand against her caution.

“Well then, it’s over.”

‘No, Aunt, you can’t just dismiss this,’ I counter her chiding.

“What do you want me to do then?”

‘So we need to be upfront with Aisling now that she knows,’ I argue, feeling a sense of urgency.

‘No, Anne, that’s not the way,’ she protests.

‘Aunty, we’re out of time,’ I say. ‘What’s the plan now? Expect Aisling to have the baby for us?’

‘No, listen to me,’ she tries to interject.

‘But she knows. We should just be honest with her now, and move on’ I insist, feeling desperate.

‘I don’t agree with that approach,’ she resists.

‘Anne, we can’t hurt her. Duke loves her,’ she reminds me. ‘There’s a plan for Aisling to adopt the baby later. She wasn’t supposed to find out like this. We need to step back now and reassess.’

My heart feels heavy. ‘But Duke needs a baby by April.’

‘We’ll resume the plan before then,’ she assures me.

‘What if it’s too late by then? Aisling’s already sending signals with those cookies. She’s planning something too,’ I argue, my mind racing with all the possibilities.

‘That’s exactly why we need to be cautious and observe her actions,’ she reasons.

‘I wanted her out of the Chateau by the anniversary. That was the plan,’ I say, my frustration boiling over now.

‘Anne, think about Duke. If you hurt Aisling, you hurt him. You can’t just force her out without consequences. Their hearts are intertwined,’ she warns me, her words hitting hard. I know she’s right.

‘But what am I supposed to do? We’re running out of time,’ I plead, feeling cornered. “We can’t let her dictate the situation.’

I hear her sigh deeply. ‘Anne, this conversation is going nowhere. You’re not listening.’

‘Aunt, please,’ I say, but I can tell she’s made up her mind.

‘I’ll be there this weekend. We’ll talk then,’ she says, ending the call.

Left alone with my thoughts, I feel a mix of urgency and helplessness. We need to act, but every option seems fraught with risk.

I tap my fingers impatiently on the lavish marble countertop, waiting for Trina’s familiar voice on the other end of the phone line. When she answers, her voice is a welcome to my fraying nerves.

‘Trina, Aunt Emma is at some retreat!’ I vent, feeling a prickling irritation at the back of my neck. ‘Of all the times, she chooses now?’

“Oh, no,” Trina says.

‘Aunt Emma’s not coming until the weekend,’ I say, feeling the irritation bubble up inside me.

Trina’s confusion is clear. ‘But why not?’

‘She’s at some seniors’ retreat in Parkway,’ I explain, rolling my eyes.

‘When’s she coming back?’ Trina asks.

‘Not until the weekend,’ I reply.

Trina repeats, ‘The weekend?’

‘Yes, and she’s even suggesting Simone take a break,’ I say, my frustration growing.

‘A break? For what?’ Trina sounds just as frustrated.

‘To ‘assess the situation.’ Aisling knows, so now we’re supposed to just step back. Can you believe it?’ I say, my tone bitter.

‘I didn’t expect that from your aunt,’ Trina admits.

‘I think she’s having too much fun with her cocktails at that retreat,’ I mutter cynically.

‘So what’s our plan now?’ Trina’s question is urgent.

‘We’re not waiting,’ I declare firmly.

‘So what are you thinking?’ she asks.

‘I’m going to invite Aisling over for lunch tomorrow,’ I say, my plan forming in my mind.

Trina’s concern is immediate. ‘For what?’

‘To talk. Woman to woman. She sent me those devil cookies. I need to thank her and also tell her everything. There’s no point in secrecy now,’ I argue, feeling the need to confront the situation head-on.

Trina warns me, ‘No, Anne. That’s not a good idea. It could start a huge mess.’

‘What are you scared of?’ I ask, feeling defiant.

‘Think about your son. How’s he going to take this?’ Trina’s voice is filled with worry.

I pause, considering her words. ‘Well…’

‘Remember him, Anne. If you do this, we might lose him, and it’ll be over for all of us,’ she cautions.

I sigh, feeling cornered. ‘So, what now?’

‘We wait for your aunt to come back,’ Trina suggests, her tone suggesting it’s the only sensible option we have.