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"My mother was... different," Leah tried to find the right words. "Adventurous was what Father would call her, what everyone would call her, but that was only one part. She was different than any other lady of theton.That was what made her so special, that desire to help everyone, to see what others would fail to see on a daily basis." She paused a little, overwhelmed by a sudden onslaught of memory, which was always a bittersweet feeling. When she was strong enough to continue, she did so. "I've been talking to all the people she's helped, to see if she had any enemies, if there was anyone who, for whatever reason, wanted to harm her."
"Did you have any luck?" he inquired.
Leah swallowed heavily. She felt her lips dry up completely. Her father would never partake in such a conversation with her. The only person who would ever listen to her talk like this would be Alicia, but even she would try to convince Leah that she was letting her imagination run wild again, that she was afraid for her best friend's wellbeing.
Edward, on the other hand, actually listened to her. He asked her questions, which showed that he was an active participant in this conversation, and he wanted to know more. This realization made her swoon. She was grateful beyond words, just for the mere fact that he was willing to listen to her and take her seriously, which was more than her own father had ever done.
"There was this man–" she started, faltering. It was difficult to talk about this, although she wanted to. "He had fought with her, because Mother saved his wife. He was abusing her physically, and Mother helped this woman escape from his clutches. As you can imagine, he did not like this, and considered my mother to be the guilty party, for opening the eyes of this woman to the torture that she was enduring."
"You think this man might be capable of seeking revenge?"
"Possibly," Leah nodded. "I haven't spoken to this man myself, although I want to. I've only watched him from afar, seeing how he acted with other people. I think he is a coward. He is aggressive with women who are meek and mild, but when someone shows defiance, he cowers like a mouse. I doubt he has it in him to kill anyone. However, you never know where someone's line of aggressiveness ends."
"That is correct," Edward agreed. "It is also important to remember that sometimes, people kill for no reason at all."
At that moment, they exchanged a meaningful glance. She knew exactly what he meant. This world was filled with meaningless violence, aggressiveness that did not seem to have any reason or cause. People did not care about others and whether or not their own actions were inflicting pain on those around them. Evil was everywhere around them. That was the most frightening fact.
"I still believe that the truth needs to be unearthed," she concluded. "My mother deserves that. If it truly was just an accident, I will accept it and move on. But if it was not... then I want to see the person or persons responsible pay for what they have done."
Her voice threatened to betray her. It was on the verge of breaking. She realized that she had never spoken to anyone about her mother in such an intimate manner, spilling out all of her hopes, without fear of being judged. She felt more vulnerable than ever, and yet, nothing felt more natural than sitting here, with her husband, telling him what she had never told anyone before.
CHAPTER9
Edward knew about revenge. He knew more about it than he wanted to. Revenge had occupied his mind ever since the death of his parents, but he did not know where to aim it. So, it was aimed at the entire world. He started to hate everyone, because no one helped his parents when they needed it. They were left alone, to suffer their fate, and be erased from this world as if they never existed.
"It would be a far better world if people who were responsible for crimes actually got punished for what they had done," he noted gravely. "But we do not live in a fair and just world. We live in...thisworld."
There were many things thatthisencompassed, and something told him that Leah knew exactly what he was referring to. Strangely, this young lady who had dropped into his life by sheer accident turned out to have more in common with him than he originally thought she would. They shared the same kind of tragedy. They understood that profound pain that never went away. It only hurt less the more time passed by. But it never completely went away, nor would it ever. At least, not until justice was served.
"Are the rumors about your parents' death true?" He suddenly heard her ask, with much hesitation in her voice. She lifted her gaze to meet his, under those deep, dark eyelashes. "I'm sorry, if you don't want to talk about it, you don't have to–"
"It's all right," he replied. "It is something that has been plaguing me for a very long time, and apart from Andrew, I haven't had anyone to talk to about this. It is difficult to talk about, but I need to get it out."
"I am here to listen," she said softly. "We can talk, or we can just sit here quietly."
"I am also certain that there was foul play involved with my parents' death," he finally said. "They died along with a footman, who probably tried to protect them. But they never found the people responsible. I suppose they never even tried too hard. Now, I feel that it is up to me, to find out what happened, but honestly, I do not even know where to start."
He felt helpless, and now, talking about it, he remembered that horrible sensation. "When the Constable came to my door to tell me what happened, I remember that sinking feeling in my gut. I couldn't believe it at first. I thought it was a mistake. I thought it was some cruel joke, played on me by the universe. Then, I went to claim their bodies, and–" His voice betrayed him, and he couldn't continue.
Suddenly, he saw her get up and walk over to him, only to place her hand on his shoulder. She didn't say anything. She didn't have to. Her presence, her touch was enough to make him feel at least a little better.
"I just can't fathom what could have happened," he found the strength to continue. "The very thought that someone wanted to harm them... intentionally... it just doesn't make any sense."
"Sometimes, the world can be a dark and cruel place," she told him, something he was already more than aware of. "Things happen that sometimes make no sense to us, because we do not see the bigger picture."
"That is what I need to find out," he pointed at her, shaking his index finger. "The bigger picture. What happened that night? And who was responsible for it? I won't rest until I find the person or persons responsible and see them punished for what they did."
He wanted to add that sometimes, earthly punishment was nothing. Whatever the punishment was, it would not bring his parents back. It could never. And that was all he wanted, just for things to be the way they used to. The very knowledge that this was impossible was tearing him apart.
However, there was at least some light at the end of the tunnel. He wasn't alone. Leah was there, by his side, and regardless of how their marriage started, something told him that there was more to this young woman with such bright, curious eyes that looked at him with such interest. Sometimes, he could see a reflection of his own sadness inside of him, and while it soothed him to know that there were others like him, he was at the same time, even more saddened that someone like her had to know such misery. It did not seem fair.
Revenge was still the primary thing on his mind. However, it was slowly making room for something else... or better yet, someone else. He still wasn't certain how to feel about this. Time would tell, that was at least what people said. Only, he didn't trust time. He didn't trust it at all, because people also said that time healed all wounds.
It did not.
* * *
"You like him!" Alicia exclaimed, her eyes widening with sheer glee.
