Charles walked up to the door and shut it, locking it behind him. His mood for the day had certainly been dampened by Elora's speech. Her voice kept ringing in his head and he broke down when he recalled her statement.
"Rose will be very disappointed in you just the way I am.... She'll be so disappointed in you for becoming the monster you are to Chloe!..... If you can't do it for her, do it for Rose!" Her voice echoing in his mind.
"Aaaah!!" He screamed loudly in pain. He threw the glass cup beside him on the wall. It smashed into pieces immediately it came in contact with the wall.
"Rose! What have I become?" He questioned out loudly staring at the portrait of his beloved wife just above his bed. He stood up and moved to the portrait, taking it off the wall as he stared at it. A peaceful and loving soul long gone but not in his heart. Silent tears fell slowly down his cheeks as he stared at the portrait of his beloved wife.
"What should I do?? What can I do?? I'm lost without you and Chloe suffers because of this. I need help!!" He stated as he drew the portrait closer to his chest, hugging it.
"I know you must be disappointed in me and I'm so sorry. Sorry for the mess I've caused. Sorry for being a wreck after your death." He said as he began to remember Rose's last wish to him on her dying bed...
*****
"Relax baby, you'll be fine." He assured her as she coughed out.
"Thanks sweetheart. I'm running out of time but I'll be fine." Rose said to him as he smiled at her.
"I know you will. You're a strong woman. Nothing is gonna take you away from me, never!" He affirmed. A faint smile appeared on her sickly face as she slowly raised her right arm to touch his face, which he held and pinned gently to his face as his eyes closed slowly.
"Charles..." She called out to him weakly.
"Yes Rose."
"I love you..."
"I know that honey and I love you more. You should be rest assured of that."
"I do..... I have one request for you my Charles."
"Tell me Rose, what is it? Anything I'll do it. I'll get it for you." She chuckled softly.
"It's simple my dear. I want you to love Chloe just the way you love me when I'm gone."
"You're not going anywhere, not yet! And yes I love Chloe and I will always do, just the way I love you. You know that."
"I do... in all you do, be there for her... don't..." She began to cough again which lasted for about a minute.
"Easy dear." He patted her on the back gently.
"Don't stop loving our baby. She's our seed, what connects us together.... promise me you always will!" She held his hands. He moved closer and gave her kiss on the forehead.
"I promise, I will my love. I won't stop loving her." He assured.
Tears fell from his eyes, realizing he had broken his promise to the love of his wife.
"I really wish I could fix things up. I really my little girl doesn't grow to hate me. Poor Chloe! She probably does." He withdrew the portrait and stared at his wife's picture.
"I miss you Rose. I'll make things right. For you, I'll try. I won't let you down my love." He kissed the portrait as he went down on his knees with tears falling down slowly from his cheeks. His emotions were in a turmoil. Thoughts of how messed he was as a father taunted him so badly.
******
For two days, Charles stayed inside his room. He didn't come out to eat or order any of the maids around. Madam Clara was worried and so was Elora but they all had to respect his boundaries.
"I have never seen Lord Higgins act like this before." Elora began.
"We've all seen him this way just once, and that was after the burial of his wife. But atleast he requested for his food to be brought to him in his bedroom. This is day 2 and he hasn't stepped out or requested for any meal. I'm quite worried. I hope he comes out soon." Clara said;
"Me too!" Elora said as she took a sip from her cup of coffee.
"By the way, what did you say to Lord Higgins to make him act this way?" Elora was hooked by the question.
"Nothing! I only told him what he needed to hear!"
"Which is?" Her eyes peering on the young lady as though it wanted to get the answer from inside her soul. Elora cleared her throat a little bit;
"Eh Ehmm..... I told him how disappointed I was about how he treated Chloe and how disappointed his wife must be finding out how he is emotionally damaging Chloe. I told him that she's thinking he hates her and she's gradually having hatred for him."
"Omg! That's quite harsh!"
"He deserves to hear and know it. The little girl is hurt by how he treats her you know."
"You know, for a governess, you sure do have a lot of guts...." Derrick said as he joined in the conversation. Elora laughed.
"Don't tell me you've been listening to us all this time?" Clara questioned and he chuckled.
"Well, not really. I guessed I missed out on a lot then. I only heard how gutsy she was talking to Lord Higgins. No one has ever done that. I must say Elora, you've got nerves!" He remarked.
"She's put Lord Higgins in the state he is now. Let's just hope it's for the better. Cuz I really want this house to be less loose."
"We all do Madam Clara." He replied. They continued their conversation talking about other things.