Chapter 4

Thunder stroke on a blue sky. 

Father’s face held a reddening rage while Mother wailed. I sat there in silence, staring at the wooden floor. I couldn’t help but choke out the words over breakfast. Out of shock father stained his pristine suit that mother always bled knuckled to keep it clean. Parts of the stain lay on the floor, where my attention was fixated. 

Red was never a passion, but an intensification of emotion. 

I could feel the way my cousin looked at me. I could imagine the gleam in her eyes as others continued to shout. For someone who was saved from misery, she made sure to surge from it. Father shouted until he had to leave. Instantly, Mother began to make a plan. 

“Marriage shall do it.”

I told her about Samuel and his departure. She waved her hand, not caring about my mangled heart. She made a list of suitable men who could play the part, someone who could match the appearance of the child. 

How can one compare a hyacinth to an opposite?

Micheal Bowler was his name. Mother sent me to my room to prepare and by noon he was in our sitting room telling us his tales about his travels. His smile was kind, kind enough to sting my heart. This was not right. His eyes were blue according to Mother, but I begged to differ. His were a blue hydrangea while my Samuel’s were a bluebell-like. 

“It shouldn’t matter, for ink always stains”.

The chances of this child earning my oak eyes seemed higher than a beautiful bluebell. Yet, my heart was set on the idea. As Micheal continued to speak, his eyes would not wander off Elize, who did take notice of this action. Her response was coy and made sure to present herself as the perfect host. 

Yet the tide turns with the moon. 

When Father arrived home Micheal behaved like a perfect gentleman once more. His speech was formal and paused. Father was pleased. When Micheal left, Father told me to not ruin another thing and walked away. Mother was already planning the wedding, for it must be before the baby grew larger. 

Just how much will the storm rage on?