Chapter 72: The Duty Of The Heir (Book 3): Chapter 72

Montaceito

Since leaving the chaos of Rich Oaks three days ago, I’ve been in agony. Duke’s betrayal still hurts me deeply. At Elsa’s penthouse in Montecito, a place where I seek healing for my broken heart, I stand staring silently at the horizon far away.

Then I notice my phone ringing on the patio table. The display reads ‘Jordan,’ and a rush of mixed emotions runs through me.

Relief, anxiety, and anticipation.

I take a breath before answering.

‘I’ve been speaking with Monica.

‘Who is she?’ I ask.

“Monica. She’s a close friend of Dad’s. She’s willing to help with the divorce.’

There’s a pause that feels like an eternity, but when I finally speak, the words sound distant, even to me. “Okay,’ I reply, trying to process this new information.

‘She’ll be in Spring City to meet with you on Thursday,’ he adds.

I pause for a moment, anxiety building up. ‘Okay.’

‘Does Thursday work for you?’

‘This Thursday?’ I seek clarification.

‘Yes. Can you make it?’

‘Yes, I’ll be there.’

‘You’re not heading back to Spring City before then?’

‘No, I’m not.’

‘So when are you planning to return?’

‘On Sunday.’

‘Got it. Do you want Monica to meet you in Spring City or would Montecito be better?’

‘Spring City works for me. I’ll drive there,’ I confirm with Jordan.

‘Alright, then that’s settled,’ he says.

‘Yeah.’

He changes the topic, ‘How have you been holding up?’

I force a semblance of cheerfulness into my voice. ‘Great. I’m managing pretty well.’

‘Has he reached out? Anything from him?’

‘No, nothing. We haven’t talked since I left Rich Oaks.’

‘Okay, I understand.’

‘But I’m okay. Everything’s fine.’

‘Do you really want to go through with the divorce, Aisling?’

‘Yes, Jordan, I do.’ My voice breaks, revealing the hurt beneath my facade.

‘Why do you ask?’

‘I just need to make sure you’re sure about this. I never thought it would come to this.’

Silence ensues, and it’s one of those silences that says more than words ever could. After what feels like an age, I finally respond. ‘He doesn’t love me, Jordan. If he did, he wouldn’t have hurt me like this.’ The tears come unbidden, spilling over as I speak the painful truth. It is time I quit.

Jordan lets out a deep sigh. “I just want you to be happy, sis. Whatever that looks like.’

‘I need to move on from him. I’ll be better off.’

‘If that’s what will make you happy.’

‘It will.’

‘Okay. I have to go now.’

‘Alright.’

‘I’ll call you tomorrow.’

‘I’ll be waiting.’

‘Goodnight, Aisling.’

‘Goodnight.’ The line goes dead, and I’m left with the aching in my chest, each breath a reminder of the heartache I’m enduring.

Leaning against the window, phone pressed to my ear, I listen intently as Aunt Geneva’s voice, tense with emotion. I’m bombarding her with questions about our family’s supposed curse.

‘No, Aisling, it’s not like you think,’ she tries to correct my misconceptions.

‘So what really happened?’

‘I’m going to tell you now.’

‘I’m listening.’

‘I’ve been pregnant before,’ she reveals.

Stunned, I manage to utter, ‘You? Pregnant, Aunt?’

‘Yes, I was.’

‘I had no idea.’

‘I never would have mentioned it under normal circumstances.’

My voice is low as I ask, ‘What happened to the baby, Aunt?’

‘I… I had an abortion.’

I’m speechless, struggling to process her words. I had no idea she’s been through that. After a moment, I find my voice, ‘Aunt, please tell me that’s not true.’

‘It is true, Aisling.’

‘But why? Why did you do it?’

‘I was seventeen and terrified. I didn’t know what else to do.’

‘Aunt…’

‘In those days, your grandmother would have been furious. She might have disowned me.’

‘Maybe there was another way…’

‘I was too young and scared. And I couldn’t turn to your grandfather for help.’

‘He was away on a military assignment. He never used to be home. So I went to see this woman in a nearby town, and she took it out. I couldn’t go to the hospital cos I was so afraid.’

The pain in her voice was strong. ‘Oh…’

‘I bled heavily for weeks. I thought I was going to die. Years after, we found out she did a shabby job on me and I haven’t been able to conceive since. Your mother knows everything. She was the only person I could talk to at the time. And it was really tough on her.’

Tears brim in my eyes as I respond, ‘I’m so sorry, Aunt.’

‘It’s in the past now, Aisling. But you needed to know,’ she replies, her voice filled with a quiet strength.

‘Yes, I understand now.’

‘There’s no curse hanging over us. That’s why I’m not backing down from this fight.’

‘You’re right. We can’t give up.’ A light laugh passes between us, a brief respite from the gravity of our talk.

‘Just believe that you can have a child. It’s only a matter of time. Trust in that.’

‘I do believe,’ I say, feeling a sense of resolve building within me.

‘Are you feeling a bit better now?’ Her voice is tinged with worry.

I manage a small laugh. ‘Yeah, I think so.’

‘One day, you’ll find someone who truly loves you. And then, everything will fall into place,’ she says, her words offering a glimmer of hope for the future.

‘I’m actually looking forward to it, Aunt.’

‘It will happen for you, Aisling. How’s everything else going?’

‘It’s okay. I have something to tell you, though. I’m meeting with a divorce attorney this Thursday.’

‘That’s good. You need to get away from that family.’

‘I’m on my way out, Aunt.’

‘Are you sure you won’t see him and feel something again?’

‘Not a chance, Aunt.’

‘I used to like Duke, but not anymore. He’s not the right one for you, Aisling. You deserve someone who will stand by you.’

I nod at her, ‘You’re right, Aunt.’

‘Imagine, they accuse your wife of being cursed, and his solution is to have a child with someone else? Who does that?’

‘Just him,’ I sigh deeply, feeling the hurt all over again.

‘I’m surprised he hasn’t tried harder to reach you.’

‘He’s probably too embarrassed to call. I don’t want to see his call anyway.’

‘Do you think he knows where you are? Duke isn’t the type to just give up.’

‘He doesn’t know I’m here. Elsa’s place is the last place he’d think of.’

‘There’s the big meeting tomorrow.’

‘Yeah, I’m aware.’

‘I’m ready for it. Do you want to come?’

I laugh, shaking my head. ‘No, Aunt. I’ll pass.’