Chapter 127 Echoes in the Distance
There was too much silence in the mansion for Carson’s comfort.
The chandelier cast a gentle golden glow on the marble floors but the radiance only highlighted the emptiness within him.
He was sitting by himself in the living room gazing at the fire in the fireplace. The air was filled with the crackling sound but even that seemed far away.
With a deep sigh he ran his fingers through his hair.
“Why does it still feel like she’s here?” he asked himself silently.
The hallway was filled with the sound of heels clicking. As always Victoria arrived at the doorway poised and calm.
As she got closer the light caught her pearl necklace.
“You’re sitting here by yourself again,”she remarked.
“I just had to think,” he remarked.
“You’ve been thinking too much,” she said.
Carson didn’t respond.
His thoughts strayed to the past while he maintained his gaze on the fire. By that same fireplace he could practically see Anabelle standing with her arms folded and her eyes wide with hurt and rage.
“Carson, you don’t understand me at all” her voice reverberated in his head.
“Stop it” he whispered to himself.
“What did you say?” Victoria asked, giving him a weird look.
“Nothing.” he muttered
Victoria took a seat across from him and studied his face with piercing eyes.
“You look so worn out, son.” She said
“I’ve had a long week.” he said
“You should get some rest. Bridget had already called. She said you didn’t reply to her messages” she said
“I have been busy.” He lied
“Carson, she is your fiancée.”She said “You can’t ignore her.”
Carson massaged his temples as he reclined in his chair.
“I am aware of that,”he said.
“Are you?” she inquired. “You are engaged to her. Now is the moment to put the future ahead of the past.”
He slowly raised his head.
“The past doesn’t go away that easily.” He said.
Victoria chuckled a little.
“You’re talking about that girl again, aren’t you?” Victoria asked angrily
Carson’s brow sank.
“Anabelle. Her name is Anabelle.” He said
Victoria dismissed it with a wave of her hand.
“Yes, whatever. Anabelle. Why waste your time thinking about her?” she asked.
“Because she was important,” he muttered.
Victoria’s forehead went up.
“And how about Bridget?” she inquired. “Bridgets family is powerful, influential. She is aware of how this world functions. She will assist you in maintaining what I had built in the past years.”
Carson’s jaw became tense.
“You mean she’ll help ‘you’ maintain it.” he retorted
“Watch your tone, Carson.” Victoria snapped
He leaned forward and let out a slow exhale.
“Mother, I’m not a kid anymore.” He said “You don’t have to arrange my life.”
“I’m not planning your life. I’m protecting your future.” She said
Standing Carson moved in the direction of the window. The city lights below were obscured by the rain outside.
“You think it’s worth securing a future based on pressure and lies?” he inquired.
Victoria’s mouth tensed.
“You’re acting dramatic.” She said “Bridget and you are a wonderful match. It is visible to all.”
“Everyone but me” he uttered.
She got up from her seat and approached her face sternly.
“Carson then open your eyes. It’s impossible to stay in the past forever. That girl was merely a distraction. This family has always been your responsibility” she said
Carson whirled. “Responsibility?” he inquired. “Because it feels more like a cage is that what you call it?”
Victoria’s expression briefly softened but she soon covered it up.
“You’ll be grateful to me one day” she said. “When you realize the benefits of power and stability.”
“I don’t want power if it means losing myself.” he said
“When she left you already lost yourself.” She snapped
He was surprised at how hard the words struck him. He looked at his image in the mirror as he turned away once more.
He appeared worn out, aged and hollow.
“I didn't lose myself” he uttered quietly. “I lost a person who gave me the life I had always dreamt of.”
Victoria gave a sigh.
“You will overcome it,” she remarked.
He remained silent. When a moment had passed she touched his shoulder.
“Dinner will be ready shortly.” She said”Tomorrow evening Bridget's parents will be joining us. Try to make them smile”
“I'll try” he muttered.
As she walked out of the room the silence grew even more dense. Carson strolled leisurely through the living room pausing at the piano.
Memories of Anabelle's playing nights filled his mind as his fingers brushed the keys.
Pressing one key he sat down. There was a gentle note in the air. Anabelle's bright eyes and playful voice as well as her laughter when she missed a note brought back another memory.
The sound of laughter was all that was left.
He hit additional keys while closing his eyes. Like a heartbeat straining to maintain rhythm the melody was slow and paused.
He paused his music and leaned forward pressing his hands to his forehead.
“I thought forgetting would be so simple.”He muttered to himself
Marcus, one of the chef came in as the door opened again.
“Your coffee sir” he said.
“Just leave it there” Carson said.
The cup was set on the side table by Marcus. “Miss Bridget gave another call. She said she wants to know if you'd be attending the gala this evening.”
“Tell her I will be there.” Carson said.
“Yes sir.”Marcus replied
He was about to turn and leave when Carson turned back to him.
“Marcus?” He called slowly
Marcus turned “Yes sir?”
Carson looked up at him, his eyes heavy “Do you ever think about the past?”
Marcus paused. “Sometimes sir. The past cannot be wiped away.”he stated.
Slowly Carson nodded.
“No” he said “It cannot.”
Marcus left the room with a slight bow. Although he picked up the coffee cup Carson did not sip it. He went to the balcony outside.
His skin felt cool against the night air. The city lights below glistened lovely but far away.
He recalled Anabelle’s smile, her obstinacy and the way she had challenged him. She was calling his name and he could practically hear it.
“Perhaps you were right.”he said quietly. “We might not have been meant to be together.”
He didn’t believe it though even as he said it. A different narrative was conveyed by the pain in his chest.
The clock inside chimed another hour gone from memory.
Soft and unending, the rain continued to pour down on the city and a man who was unable to stop hearing the faraway echoes of the woman he had once loved.