The Inheritance: Chapter 5 - Part II (Updated 11/14)
CuriousSimmer:
The Inheritance
Chapter One - Part XII
October 1945
Later that week, I received an invitation to another tea party at the Thornycrofts. Dante picked me up and drove me over, and we found that we and Mama Moretti were the only ones invited; Roger was already there, and the Koenigs, we were told, were settling in their elderly mother at the bakery.
I stood by the pool, watching my reflection in the water. I heard footsteps in the gravel behind me and turned to find Roger walking up behind me. "Let's sit down and talk," he said gesturing to a bench in the garden.
"Yes," I agreed. "I think we'd better."
I can never be sure, but I feel that I made my final decision on the walk to the bench. We sat down and I took his hand in mine. "Roger, this whole... situation has been such a shock. When I found out that you weren't dead, I wasn't so much surprised as blown away."
"I understand that," said Roger. "I really can't explain what happened or why, and I'm sorry for what I did. But I need you, Lizzy. Can't you see that I need you?" His eyes were pleading.
"I do know that," I said kindly. "The thing is, Roger, I can't trust you anymore. I can't trust you to do what's right for me and for Josephine." I saw him glance behind me and turned to see Dante standing by the pool, watching us. He caught my eye, then turned and walked inside.
Roger looked angry when I turned back. "You can't leave, Elizabeth. You're still married to me."
"No, Roger, I'm not. And I'll tell you why: because if you contest our annulment, I'm going to call the War Department and tell them exactly what you've done." My voice trembled as I threatened him. "You're dead, Roger. You need to stay that way. Excuse me."
I stood and walked away, my fists clenching and unclenching. As I moved towards the door, I heard him shout, "You can't keep Josephine from me!" I stopped in my tracks for a moment, stunned, before continuing on. I didn't know what would happen to me, but I knew one thing: Roger wouldn't be getting his hands on my daughter.
The next day...
I went to get the mail and found a letter. I opened it and found a note that read: Mrs. Williams: Your presence (and that of your daughter) would be appreciated at the law offices of Giovanni Giorelli. Another note, this one without a stamp or a postmark, just had a blood-red X on the paper.
Later that afternoon I was singing to Josephine in the nursery when I heard the sound of breaking glass from downstairs. I set Josephine in her crib and rushed down the stairs.
I was shocked when I found the one of the kitchen windows shattered. I looked out and saw no one around. I quickly shut the shutters and locked the others before snatching up the phone. I called the police and told them what happened; they said they'd send someone out in the morning. I tried to get someone to come sooner, but they couldn't be bothered.
I moved Josephine's crib up to my bedroom and locked the doors and windows. As I knelt at the side of my bed, I prayed for the wisdom and the tools to protect myself and my daughter.
And as I slipped under covers for bed that night, I felt calmer and resolute. For the first time, I felt that if we pray hard enough...
...God gives us the tools to our salvation.
CuriousSimmer:
Okay, so, a little author's note. Sorry about the ceiling showing in some of these photos. I've recently discovered some neat ceiling tiles for the photos but I haven't got around to treating all the houses yet.
Next up: Josephine went and grew up! I try to set up my photos carefully and it sometimes takes time, and I often forget to pause when I take the photos, so her infant time just got away from me (and her). So for the time being, she'll be there in her crib...but not really. Make believe if you can.
steelguy:
I love the "Period" feel of this story.
And the ever-changing hairstyle of the heroine. :)
CuriousSimmer:
The Inheritance
Chapter One - Part XIII
October 1945
Angela Giorelli always wanted a house in the country, but part of marriage was compromise and so when her husband said that they needed to be close to town for his law practice, she consented.
That's why when Elizabeth Williams showed up at her door to meet with Angela's husband and his client, Angela couldn't help but feel a stab of envy. Everyone who went to the bakery knew that Mrs. Williams was staying in that big, beautiful country villa up in the hills.
"Now, Signora Williams. Signor Williams," said Giovanni Giorelli, leaning back in his office chair. "I'm glad you could both make it. Mrs. Williams, I take it you received my note."
I nodded. "Yes, I did."
"And yet you did not bring the child with you as I requested," said Giorelli, looking at her sternly.
I met his gaze resolutely. "That's right. There's no need to drag her around this town for this nonsense."
"You can't keep her from me," said Roger heatedly. "She's my daughter."
I shook my head at him. "Yes, Roger, I can. Don't think I don't know what you've done. You're not coming near Josephine."
"Mrs. Williams, I asked you here to inform you that I would be moving to open custody hearings in court on the matter of Josephine. We'll be suing for full custody," said Giorelli.
I was shocked. "What?" was all I could muster. My world was spinning, especially since I couldn't imagine Roger as a father figure.
"Fathers have rights, too, Lizzy," sneered Roger. "I'm going to get Jo' and take her home. If you want to come back and be with us, that's your business, I won't stop you. But one way or another, I'm taking her back."
"You go ahead and try it, Roger," I said angrily. "See what happens. Signor Giorelli, this meeting is over. You'll be hearing from my lawyer." And with that, I stormed from the house. As Angela Giorelli watched me go, I could almost see in her eyes that she no longer envied me my villa.
Later that night...
The Thornycrofts arrived home from dinner in town. Lady Thornycroft was wandering through the lounge in search of her cross-stitch, complaining about the food. "I swear, that marinara is going to keep me up all night. My goodness, how dreadful. And--" She turned to see a window that had been shattered, leaving shards of glass on the carpet and chair in front of the window. "Grant! Grant, go check the attic! Check it now!"
Grant rushed through his mother's bedroom to check the attic. He peered inside and found nothing amiss. Indeed, after a more thorough look over the house, it was decided that nothing was taken. But that wasn't entirely true.
The Thornycrofts lost their most valuable asset that night, though they didn't know it...
...they lost their most precious secret. And it was Adela Koenig that took it from them.
steelguy:
Dun-dun-DUUUUUNNNN!!!! :D
Wow, you really know how to keep us hanging. :)
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