Chapter 62 An Alternative Route
Holding Annabell’s hand Carson's touch was firm and comforting. They made their way to the mansion door by walking up the cobblestone path. His hand exuded warmth despite the cool air.
Without a sound, the enormous doors opened. He moved aside to let her in first. The marble floors in the grand foyer shone in the soft light from the chandeliers which were dimly lit.
Their footsteps were the only sound to break the dense silence. Without letting go of her hand, he guided her through the foyer.
She gave him a quick glance following the lines of weariness on his face. She had never seen him appear older, different and somehow more genuine before.
An unguarded vulnerability had taken the place of the carefree exterior. They stopped in the center of the foyer. His intense gaze turned to her.
In a low whisper he said “I'm so sorry Ana. For everything… I sincerely apologize. For not defending you, for allowing my mom to rule me and then to cause you pain.”
Annabel's throat constricted. Despite the words simplicity they carried a great deal of weight.
“I apologize as well Carson. I would have stayed back instead if leaving the way I did. It was right of me to argue with you or your mum.”
His eyes begged as he shook his head. “No. That fight wasn't yours. Instead of a boy who was terrified of his own shadow you deserved a man who would defend you. It was long overdue for me to confront her. I ought to have picked you.”
Annabel's eye slipped a tear. She put a hand on his cheek and touched it. “It is alright. We are here now.”
His face lit up with deep relief as he leaned into her touch. He kissed her palm after bringing her hand to his mouth.
“I was frightened, Ana. I was just so scared of losing everything. I was afraid of my position in the company and my inheritance. And I lost what mattered most in my life because of that fear. You.”
His voice strained as he drew her closer.
“I couldn't find myself. It all seemed pointless without you. The wealth and authority seemed like a cage. As soon as you left this house, I realized my mistake. This house was incredibly quiet. I was experiencing a physical pain in my chest.”
Annabel felt a surge of sympathy for him. She had been his escape from the golden cage in which he was imprisoned.
“I was afraid too.” she acknowledged. “I felt so hurt and furious. I left because I thought you were exactly like her… cold, callous.”
He drew her into his embrace and held her close. “Ana I am not. I promise that I'm not. I was mistaken. I made a mistake. I will make it up to you for the rest of my life. I swear. We can go anywhere you want for a vacation or something. We can go wherever you'd like. We can start all over again.”
“Carson.” she uttered, holding her voice to his chest. “We're not required to go. You call this place home. We will confront this together.”
A tentative smile came to his face as he withdrew. “You mean it? Really?”
“I mean it.” she said, her own smile faltering. “But you must make me a promise”
“Ask me anything.” He quickly said
“Promise me that no one not even your mother will ever stand in our way again. Make me a promise that you will always pick us.” She told him
His eyes were full of emotion as he nodded. “Ana, I swear. We will always be my choice.”
He took her hand and gave it a light squeeze as they exchanged a silent vow.
“Daily. For the rest of my life, you will be my first choice every day. My top priority is you.”
He lifted his hand to dab at a tear that had fallen on her cheek. “I'm going to stop being that boy. I'll be the man you've always wanted.”
He kissed her, holding her face in his hands. In itself the slow gentle kiss was a promise. With all the pain and longing he had been suppressing he gave her a kiss. He kissed her until she was out of breath.
His forehead was on hers when he eventually withdrew.
“I love you Annabel,” he muttered. “My home is you and my home is with you.”
“I love you too Carson.” She said with a full heart. “More than everything.”
For a long time they stood there absorbed in their own world. They were together for the time being even though the past was forgotten and the future was uncertain. They were at the cusp of a new beginning, a new beginning.
Then Carson's face briefly flashed with apprehension. He withdrew a little while keeping his hands on her arms. He turned his gaze to the grand staircase.
“My mother is in the library.” He said in a hushed tone with a trace of anxiety. “I promised her I would find you, that I intended to bring you back. You know my mum, she said very little.”
Her ribs were pounded by her heart. She was uncertain about what to anticipate.
He went on “I want you to be with me when I talk to her…but …You don't need to. If you're not ready I'll go by myself.”
Annabel turned to face the stairs. Beyond the archway was the library and Victoria was obviously there, perched like an eagle on one of her chairs.
A familiar fear gripped her at the idea of confronting her. But she was also aware that there was no other option. Together they had to confront this.
Carson looked into her eyes and asked “What do you want to do?”
Annabel paused. He was radiating tension which she could sense. It was her decision.
He repeated “Do you want to go see her now?”
Annabel drew in a deep breath. Troy had advised her to have courage and she looked back at the front doors where Fred had left her.
She glanced at Carson's face which was a mix of fear and hope.
“I…” she began. The word hung in the air, a cliffhanger of its own