Chapter 44: The Duty Of The Heir (Book 3): Chapter 44

Presley Estates, Wesbury

As I walk down the stairs towards the kitchen, the sound of the doorbell halts me mid-step. The house is quiet, unusually so, and the sudden intrusion makes me pause. Who could it be? My heart flutters with a mix of curiosity and apprehension. I check the CCTV and there she is, my aunt, standing patiently outside. A wave of relief washes over me.

Opening the door, I can’t hide my surprise.

‘Aunty?’ It’s unexpected but not unwelcome.

Her question catches me off guard. ‘Do you want company, or do you want to be alone? I brought homemade gizzard kebab.’ Her smile is warm, and comforting.

A chuckle escapes my lips. ‘I want company.’ But why am I laughing? It’s almost absurd.

She’s puzzled too. ‘Why are you laughing?’

Her question makes me think. Why does she even need to ask if I want company? It’s like she’s treading on eggshells around me, the new, changed Aisling.

She seems to read my thoughts. ‘Well, there’s a new Aisling in The Chateau. I just wanted to be sure.’

I smile. ‘Oh, come on, Aunty…’ Our hug feels like a lifeline, and I pull her inside, closing the door to the world outside.

She’s curious about my new life. ‘I heard you decided to become a housewife.’

‘Just for a few weeks,’ I reply, but there’s a deeper story there. It’s been quiet, a chance for introspection, a break from the chaos.

She’s concerned. ‘How has it been?’

‘Not bad. Quiet. I’m enjoying the privacy.’ But am I really? It’s more like a forced solitude, a retreat from a battle that’s left me wounded.

Her next question hits deeper. ‘I know this week has been hard for you. Where did the old Aisling go?’

I laugh it off, but inside, I know I’ve changed. The old Aisling? She’s gone, maybe for good.

‘How have you been?’ she asks softly.

‘I’ve been well, Aunty.’ But that’s not entirely true. Well? More like surviving.

‘Did you finish crying?’ Her directness stings a little.

Crying? ‘How was I going to survive this if I was just sitting around here crying all day?’ But the truth is, I’ve cried more than I’d like to admit.

‘You’re right,’ she agrees.

I’m resolute now. ‘I won’t give in to feeling stagnant. Discovering the truth about Duke has been disorienting, but I won’t let it break me.’ I head towards the refrigerator. ‘Can I get you something? Some juice?’

She’s easygoing. ‘Anything.’

As I prepare the drinks, I realize something. Duke isn’t worth my tears anymore. I’m moving forward, step by step, into a new chapter. And it starts with this moment, this simple act of hospitality in my own quiet, changed world.

‘You do know that I’m not shocked, don’t you?’ Her voice is calm, almost too calm.

I look at her, a bit taken aback. ‘Are you not?’

‘No,’ she says simply.

I’m puzzled. ‘Why?’

She reminds me of a conversation we had in the past. ‘I told you he might bow in eventually. That’s why I suggested a surrogate back then.’

She’s right. ‘You were right, Aunty.’

‘But I didn’t go through with it,’ I confess. ‘The same family opposed it.’

She’s incredulous. ‘But they prefer another woman to carry? What’s the difference?’

‘This is beyond reasoning, Aunty.’ The irony of it all weighs on me.

‘The signs were there,’ she says.

‘I saw them,’ I admit, feeling a pang of regret. ‘But I thought Duke was loyal. I was a fool.’

‘Don’t blame yourself,’ she advises.

I grab a juice jar from the fridge, my thoughts heavy. ‘Now, when I look at Duke, I see nothing but lies. I’ve lost all hope and faith. I don’t believe in anything anymore.’

‘You’ll feel that way for a while,’ she says, her voice full of empathy.

I shake my head, uncertain. ‘I’m not sure this feeling will ever go away. This betrayal… it’s shattered me. I trusted him completely.’

She understands. ‘Betrayal from someone you loved… it shakes you to your core.’

I pour the juice, my voice catching as I speak. ‘I’ve been to hell and back, Aunty. Duke was everything to me. My superhero, the kindest man I knew. Loving him was the easiest thing in the world. He never gave me any reason to doubt him.’

My aunt nods, her expression sad.

‘I can’t even talk to Jordan about it,’ I continue, feeling isolated in my pain. ‘I haven’t been able to talk to anyone but you, Mom, and Kari. It’s overwhelming, and I don’t know if I can ever love him the same way again. Everything has changed. He made a fool of me.’

In this moment, sitting in my kitchen with my aunt, I realize just how much Duke’s betrayal has upended my world. The future, once so clear, is now a murky path of uncertainty and heartache.

‘This is going to impact your marriage, you do know that, right?’

I nod, feeling a pang in my heart. ‘It already has. I can’t see Duke the same way anymore. Everything we had is gone.’

Her next question is more intimate. ‘Do you two still have sex?’

I shake my head, feeling the weight of the truth. ‘After I found out about Shelton, I just couldn’t. He’s sensed it too and kept his distance. We can’t be intimate, Aunty.’ The words feel heavy, laden with the loss of what was once a vital part of our relationship.

I hand her a glass of juice, and she thanks me. Then she asks, ‘So it was true about Duke and that girl?’

‘He’s been with her for a while,’ I admit, the betrayal still fresh. ‘I don’t know when it started, but it’s been going on for some time.’

Her disbelief is evident. ‘Wow, Duke.’

I recount the painful memory. ‘He was with her that weekend in Shelton. He made sure I wasn’t with him at Sandy Breeze that night.’

‘She’s Anne’s best friend’s niece,’ my aunt says, connecting the dots.

‘Yes, his mother’s best friend’s niece,’ I confirm, the irony not lost on me. ‘Anne couldn’t have a happy home, so she seems set on destroying mine.’

I take a deep breath before confessing my deepest fear. ‘Aunty, I think they’re grooming her to replace me if I don’t give Duke a baby by April.’

Her alarm is clear. ‘Are you serious?’

‘Why wouldn’t I be? He’s been seeing her behind my back. Why wouldn’t he marry her?’ I feel a mix of anger and resignation.

‘And what will you do? You’re not planning to stay, are you?’ Her concern is genuine.

‘I’ll stay until April, then I’m leaving. I’m ready to walk away from this.’

‘Do you know if he’s still going to Alford tomorrow?’

‘I don’t know, and frankly, I don’t care,’ I say, feeling a sense of detachment.

‘You’re okay with him continuing the IVF?’ she asks, surprised.

‘He started it. I might as well let him finish it,’ I reply, a sense of resignation in my voice.

My aunt laughs, but it’s a laugh filled with shock. ‘Aisling, you do realize if she gets pregnant, everything changes?’

I nod, fully aware of the consequences. ‘I know, Aunty. But what else is left for me here?’ Inside, I feel a tumult of emotions. Betrayal, sadness, and a growing sense of liberation. The future is uncertain, but I’m starting to embrace the possibility of a life beyond this marriage.

‘Okay, let it be,’ I say, accepting the inevitable. ‘Fine. It’ll be his baby. He’ll have to step up.’

Aunt’s concern is evident. ‘You won’t be happy later if you allow this.’

‘I don’t care, Aunty,’ I reply, my voice flat.

She warns me, ‘It’s your anger talking. Once that fades, you’ll regret it. Anger makes us act tough and foolish in situations like this.’

I shrug, feeling detached. ‘I’m not sure I’ll ever care.’

‘Do you want to see her photograph?’ she asks.

I shake my head firmly. ‘No. I don’t want to, and I don’t think I ever will. She’s trash.’

Aunt mentions a resemblance. ‘I told you she looks a lot like us.’

‘Yeah, so?’ I reply, feeling a pang of bitterness.

‘She’s not related to us, though. We looked into it,’ she assures me.

‘Good,’ I say, feeling a small sense of relief.

Aunt poses a thought-provoking question. ‘Have you ever wondered why they chose someone who looks like you?’

I pause, considering. ‘Why, Aunty? What do you think?’

‘The baby might end up looking like you,’ she suggests.

I feel a surge of frustration. ‘So?’

‘They might be hoping you’ll adopt the baby later?’

‘What? Aunty, stop. I don’t want to hear this,’ I say, feeling overwhelmed.

‘It’s just a guess, but it might be close to the truth,’ she adds.

I urge her to change the subject. ‘Please, no more. I can’t deal with that right now.’

‘Alright,’ she acquiesces. ‘You canceled the vacation. Why?’

‘What would we have done there?’ I ask, feeling cynical.

‘It could’ve been a chance to escape, to talk,’ she suggests.

‘A complete waste of time,’ I dismiss.

‘Anyway, I have good news,’ she says, changing gears.

I raise an eyebrow. ‘Good news?’ The concept feels foreign in the midst of all the chaos.

Sitting across from my aunt, her words hang in the air between us. ‘I can’t promise you’ll agree with us, but your mom and I think it’s important,’ she says, her tone serious.

Curious, I ask, ‘What is it?’

She drops a bombshell. ‘Duke withdrew from the IVF.’

I’m stunned. ‘He did what?’

‘He’s not going ahead with it. He pulled out,’ she explains.

I can’t hide my disbelief. ‘I don’t believe it, Aunty.’

‘They were supposed to do the egg retrieval tomorrow, but he’s canceled it. It’s all off,’ she continues.

‘How do you know?’ I ask, trying to process this new information.

‘The lady called me,’ she says simply.

‘Okay.’ I’m still trying to wrap my head around it.

‘Do you feel a bit relieved he’s not involved anymore?’ she asks, looking at me closely.

‘I don’t know, Aunty. I can’t even think about it right now,’ I admit, feeling a mix of relief and confusion.

‘He came to his senses and exited quickly,’ she remarks.

‘When did she tell you this?’ I probe further.

‘Monday,’ she replies.

I’m a bit annoyed now. ‘And why are you only telling me now? We’ve talked so many times since then.’

‘We wanted to see how you’d react,’ she explains.

I sigh. ‘I wasn’t going to do anything. I told you that.’

She nods, understanding. ‘We believe you. Are you going to ask him about it?’

‘No, Aunty. I’m just going to leave him alone,’ I say, feeling a sense of resignation.

‘He’s going to be consumed by guilt, Aisling. I suspect he’s with this girl to have a baby. Forget about Shelton. You should talk to him, get the whole story.’

I shake my head. ‘I don’t think I can, ever.’

‘Why not? There has to be some explanation. Anne is involved in this,’ she points out.

I pause, lost in thought. ‘I’ve been thinking all week about whether to go back to Rich Oaks or just forget it.’

‘You have to go, Aisling. You’ve had a long break. Maybe it’s time to give it another try,’ she encourages.

Her words run in my mind, a mix of advice and assumptions, leaving me with more questions than answers. The path ahead is unclear, but one thing is certain – whatever decision I make, it will be on my terms.

Leaning against the kitchen counter moments later, I tell my aunt about my new decision. ‘I will leave for the place two weeks after his father’s anniversary.’

She looks surprised. ‘Isn’t that a bit early?’

‘I just need to get away from here. I need space to think, to clear my head.’

‘So, you’re giving it one last shot?’ she asks, her eyes searching mine.

‘Maybe,’ I confirm, feeling a mix of determination and resignation. I don’t know even know why I want to go through that route again. To prove a point that I’m capable of bearing a child?

My aunt’s face lights up with a smile. ‘I see you still have some hope for your marriage.’

‘Only until April. Just a few weeks left,’ I say, the reality of the situation settling in.

‘Aisling, you’ve got to stay strong. Tough times don’t last, but tough people do. I love this new side of you,’ she encourages me. ‘You know what else I recommend?’

‘What’s that, Aunty?’

‘Do yoga. Start breathing exercises. Meditate. Focus on self-reflection. You need to heal and strengthen your core. It’s broken, but it can be mended.’

I nod, taking in her advice. ‘Self-care is my priority now.’

Suddenly, the doorbell rings, jarring the quiet atmosphere.

‘Who could that be?’ I wonder aloud.

‘Go check,’ my aunt suggests.

‘I’m not expecting anyone.’ I walk to the window to see who it is.

‘Colin? What’s he doing here?’

‘Duke’s assistant?’ my aunt asks, surprised.

‘Yeah. He never just shows up like this.’

‘Find out why he’s here,’ she urges.

I open the door to Colin, Duke’s ever-reliable assistant. ‘Colin?’

‘Hello, Lady Aisling,’ he greets me formally.

‘What brings you here this afternoon?’

He looks a bit uneasy. ‘Mr. Presley has requested that I escort you to the airport.’

My confusion is clear. ‘Why?’

‘He’s arranged for you to join him on a trip out of town,’ Colin explains.

‘To where?’ I press for more details.

‘He didn’t specify a destination. He said to bring only a handbag,’ he adds.

‘Where’s Duke now?’

‘He’s at the tower. He’ll meet you at the airport,’ Colin informs me.

I’m taken aback, unsure of what to make of this sudden plan. ‘I’ll give him a call.’

‘Sure. I’ll wait in the car,’ Colin says, obedient to Duke’s instructions.

‘You can go, Colin. I’m not sure I’ll need your service.’

‘He insisted I shouldn’t leave without you.’

‘Alright, I’ll call him.’ As Colin steps away, I close the door, my mind racing with questions. What is Duke planning? Why this sudden trip? I need answers before making any decisions.

‘Aunty, Duke wants me to join him on a trip.’

‘I don’t want to go,’ I tell her, feeling a sense of dread at the thought.

‘Aisling, maybe you should consider it,’ my aunt suggests, her voice gentle but firm. ‘You both might need this time.’

I’m adamant. ‘I’m not ready for deep conversations or to dig into everything. I don’t need a getaway to sort through our issues.’

‘Aisling, give him a chance to explain,’ she urges.

I shake my head, feeling the resistance build inside me. ‘I don’t think I can handle his version of things right now, Aunty.’

‘He’s probably feeling guilty,’ she points out.

As if on cue, my phone rings from the counter. I see Duke’s name on the screen. My aunt gives me a knowing look.

With a heavy heart, I answer. ‘Hey…’

Duke’s voice is filled with hope. ‘I’m heading to the airport. Where are you?’

I brace myself. ‘I can’t join you, Duke. I’m sorry.’

‘Aisling, please. I’ve arranged something special. We need to talk,’ he pleads.

‘No, Duke. I don’t want to talk right now,’ I assert, feeling a wave of emotions.

‘But I need to talk to you,’ he insists.

‘I’m not ready!’ I raise my voice, feeling overwhelmed.

‘Aisling, please, just give me this chance,’ he says, desperation in his voice.

I close my eyes, feeling a rush of pain. ‘What’s there to talk about?’

‘Us. Our situation,’ he says, his voice filled with urgency.

‘Nothing’s going on,’ I reply, trying to shut down the conversation.

‘You know that’s not true,’ he presses.

‘Did you do something?’

‘Yes… and we need to talk about it.’ His admission hits me hard.

I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. ‘I don’t want to know, Duke.’

‘Aisling, please..’

‘Save it. It won’t change anything,’ I cut him off.

He concedes. ‘Alright, I’m coming home.’

‘Fine,’ I say before ending the call.

I turn to my aunt, feeling a sense of resignation. ‘He’s coming home.’

The thought of facing Duke and all that might unfold is daunting, but I know it’s inevitable. As I stand there, I realize that no matter what happens next, the Aisling that once was, the one who believed in fairy tales and happy endings, is no longer here.