Deanna could only do one thing after Beverly left: lock herself in the music room. It was her refuge when she needed to think, when she argued with Daniel, or when she needed to cry. And at that moment she did need to cry.
Her place in the house was beautiful, so full of music, so full of her husband's affection in every detail. Everything thought of for her, from the armchairs so she could receive her musician friends, to the instruments she didn't know how to play.
She sang for everyone there. Jonathan would run with all his might when he knew Deanna would give them a particular performance. He would settle on the floor, cross-legged with a little face full of anticipation, a huge grin from ear to ear. And he would look at her in wonder.
There, she would teach him, although he wouldn't repeat anything. He just moved his head to the beat and enjoyed it. That cute little boy full of untold stories who adored her madly. Remembering his pink cheeks made her cry harder. She had to cover her mouth with the sleeve of her sweater because the sobs were becoming uncontrollable.
Ethan sat on a small green ottoman and closed his eyes. Perhaps he was imagining the scenes of what she was singing to them, even without knowing the language. A gentleman despite his youth, a centered and proper boy who even went to blows for defending her. She felt like she was drowning.
The cheerful Naomi, always stood next to her father and held his hand. She was perhaps the most joyful because her body moved to the rhythm of the music until the last note. She would clap her hands making a big fuss every time. And then she would ask her what the person singing that piece would be wearing. Her chest heaved.
And Daniel, he would look at her with sparkling eyes. He never seemed to blink, as if he didn't want to miss a single movement of her hands or her mouth. When it was all over and the children returned, he would eat her up with kisses in a corner of the room, a corner with no windows. He would tell her the sweetest things between small bites and open kisses, he would drive her crazy with his caresses, he would press her body into a corner. The pang of pain became unbearable in the middle of her chest and moved through every inch of her soul.
As if she had called out to him in thought, he appeared through the door. His expression tired, the edges of his mouth depressed, exhausted. He saw her standing with tears running down her cheeks and went to her side and wordlessly embraced her, hiding his face in her hair. Deanna wrapped her hands around his back and held onto his jacket.
"What will you do, Deanna?"
-I'll do whatever you ask me to do," She told him, answering Beverly's question.
Daniel took her face and wiped away her tears, how many times had he seen her cry because of him?
-Stay with me.
He didn't ask her how she had found out, he didn't care. Everything that was going on around them was public knowledge.
And he kissed her. He kissed her with tenderness, with fear. And Deanna kissed him back in the same way. They both sought to calm and soothe the other, to support each other, to give each other courage. Since they had met all they had done was face obstacles and problems. It seemed as if the heavens were conspiring to separate them.
They stayed in each other's arms for a long time until they sat down on one of the armchairs. There was no need to talk, what needed to be said to each other had been said. "Stay with me," was all Daniel needed. His world was falling apart and he only needed her.
Ethan interrupted them, his expression also grim.
- "Grandma and Grandpa are here... It doesn't look like a good thing..." he said.
Of course they were going to his house, especially Camilla.
- Thanks, son... do me a favor? -
- Yes, dad –
- Take your siblings out for ice cream, will you? I'm afraid we're in for a rough afternoon -
They didn't get up right away. Daniel had no urge to face his mother and Deanna had no interest in anything. Finally they returned to the house, holding hands. At the very least, he had to show his face in front of Charles.
- This is your fault! - she shouted at Deanna as soon as she saw her.
- Camilla... -
- It's your fault! I knew from the first moment you'd wreak havoc on my family! How much do you want to get out of my son's life?! -
- Camila, shut up at once! -
Charles never raised his voice, he never got upset. He used to stiffen his tone or be sarcastic and that was enough; but this time it sounded like he was shouting. The nerves were on edge.
-We came to talk to Daniel, not to make yet another fuss. Calm down and let's have a civilized conversation... If you came to attack my daughter-in-law, you'd better go back. I will no longer tolerate your madness... I'm tired of you, my dear... -
Charles trusted his son more than anyone else. They had a special and unique relationship all their lives. He loved his three sons, but with Daniel the connection was on another level. He saw himself reflected in him. And he was there to show his unconditional support and help.
He retired from the company to pass it on to him, convinced that the new generation would work wonders, and it did. Daniel expanded the company and ventured into new business and achieved one success after another. Charles, however, still had some cards left up his sleeve, he still had some influence and favors to collect.
-Son, don't worry about Leonard, I'll do whatever it takes to unbalance him. This is but a small blow, I know he won't play harder than this. The rest is up to you... -
He looked at the intertwined hands of the two of them.
- Is this what you want? –
- It's all I wanted," he replied confidently.
- Good, good... That's what I wanted to hear. Now, listen to me, both of you... The battle will be short, but a little bloody, don't worry. Stay united and resist... They are going to talk, they are going to say stupid things about both of us... HAHA! They already do... You have the support of the whole family... the whole -
He looked at Camila who didn't say anything.
-When this storm passes the bases will be left intact, we will have to start from a middle point, but I know you will make it, you always do... -
Charles continued talking to them, explaining about the favors he would collect and who he would turn to. Leonard's were nothing more than empty threats, yes he had generated some damage, but he was measured and calculated well so as not to strike a fatal blow. After all, it was not what he wanted.
-I can't believe you supported that woman, what are you all thinking? -
- And me, my dear, I don't understand why you don't support your son, what are you thinking, eh? Haven't you seen the smile on Daniel's face again? Really, Camila, I'm surprised that you still let yourself be blinded by gossip -
-What happened today is not gossip, "dear." -
-No, it certainly isn't so... All the more reason to stick together, don't you think? "That woman", as you fondly call her, in part of this family and we don't leave the fallen in battle... I think I'm being clear enough right? -
- I can't believe it! -
- You're still just as beautiful even when you're outraged... -
The sentence was given, Camilla could do nothing about it.
- Charles is a great man...
- He is.
- I'm a little envious... –
- Why? -
- I didn't know my father, and from what little my grandmother has told me, he's a moron.
They were left alone when Charles and Camilla left. He held her in his arms once more, he was afraid she would slip away from him.
-He'd have to be to have left a daughter like you behind...
Deanna told him what few words her grandmother had told her. Almost nothing. Phillipa never mentioned him, as if he had never existed. Her father-in-law seemed to her the kindest, most lovable man, a strong man who still cared for his family despite the years.
Getting back to normal was not easy, but they put on their best face and switched to a smile when the children returned.