The Unexpected Husband

Chapter 3

Charles' strong arms cradled me as he ascended the staircase. The rhythm of his steps was steady, a calming contrast to the thunderous beating of my heart. His scent, a mix of cologne and something uniquely him, filled my senses, making me feel strangely safe.

His expression remained stoic, his jaw set in a firm line. But his eyes, oh those eyes, they held a depth of emotions that were too complex to decipher. I found myself lost in them, the intensity of his gaze sending a shiver down my spine.

As we reached the top of the staircase, Charles turned to me, his voice breaking the silence. "Edna, there's something I need to tell you," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

I blinked, taken aback by his sudden confession. "What is it, Charles?" I asked, my voice shaky.

He paused, his eyes searching mine. And just as he opened his mouth to speak, the lights in the mansion flickered and went out, plunging us into darkness. The sudden change startled me and I tightened my grip on Charles, waiting for his next words. The anticipation hung heavy in the air, adding to the intrigue of the night.

"If there's something you want to tell me, could we possibly discuss it tomorrow? I'm rather tired," I suggested. "Would you mind putting me down, please?"

"Of course, I'll just investigate why we lost power," he replied, carefully lowering me to the ground.

"Wait, I need some light in my room. I'm afraid of the dark," I confessed, my voice shaking with fear.

"There's no need to fear, you're not alone. I'm right here with you."

With a nod, Charles left me standing in the hallway while he went to check the power outage. The mansion was eerily quiet, the only sound was the distant ticking of a grandfather clock. I wrapped my arms around myself, suddenly feeling cold.

Charles returned a few minutes later, a flashlight in his hand. "It seems like there's a problem with the main power supply. I've called someone to fix it, but it might take a while," he explained, shining the flashlight around the dark hallway.

I swallowed hard, trying to hide my fear. "Okay," I said, my voice barely audible.

Charles must have noticed my discomfort because he quickly reassured me. "Don't worry, Edna. I'll stay with you until the power comes back on."

His words were comforting, and I found myself feeling grateful for his presence. As we made our way to my room, the beam from the flashlight dancing on the walls, I couldn't help but feel a strange sense of anticipation. The night was far from over, and with Charles by my side, it was turning out to be more intriguing than I had expected.

"You don't have to accompany me to my room. The flashlight is sufficient," I responded.

I could hear him release a deep sigh. "It's your call. I'll leave now. Get some rest, and I'll be the one to drive you to school tomorrow," he stated.

He handed me the flashlight, and I accepted it. We stood right in front of my room. I unlocked the door and entered.

"I'm going to bed," I declared, not waiting for a reply. I promptly closed the door to my room, embracing myself tightly as the overwhelming silence enveloped me.

As I stood alone in the stillness of my room, the weight of the day's events began to settle upon me. The room felt empty and devoid of warmth, a stark contrast to the chaos that had unfolded earlier. I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing thoughts.

The soft glow from the flashlight illuminated the room, casting dancing shadows on the walls. I walked over to the bed and sat down, feeling a mix of exhaustion and emotional turmoil. It was hard to process everything that had happened - the humiliation, the unexpected rescue by Charles, and the lingering questions about my future.

I lay down on the bed, staring up at the ceiling. The silence was both comforting and unsettling, allowing my mind to wander through the events of the day. Thoughts of Richard's betrayal and Charles' enigmatic presence swirled in my mind, intertwining with my own feelings of confusion and hurt.

As I closed my eyes, I couldn't help but wonder what the next day would bring. Would I be able to find the strength to confront Richard? And what role would Charles play in all of this? The uncertainty weighed heavily on my heart, but I knew that I had to face whatever was to come.

With a sigh, I let the exhaustion wash over me, hoping that sleep would bring some solace and clarity. Tomorrow was a new day, and I had to gather my strength to face the challenges ahead.

The following morning, I awoke early. Silently, I expressed gratitude upon realizing that the electricity had been restored.

I slowly rose from bed and stretched, taking my time to straighten the disheveled sheets. Deciding it was time for a shower, I made my way to the bathroom.

As I settled into the warm bathwater, thoughts of Richard continued to linger in my mind. I couldn't help but steal glances at the necklace he had gifted me, which I had just removed from my own neck earlier. I reached out and held it, my gaze fixated upon the delicate pendant. "Where are you, my love? Please come back to me. I am capable of listening to you and understanding you," I whispered. And once again, a profound sense of sadness engulfed my heart, causing tears to trickle down my cheeks.

With a heavy heart, I let the tears flow, allowing the weight of my emotions to be released. The warm water of the bath provided a comforting embrace, soothing my troubled soul. I took a deep breath, trying to find solace amidst the pain.

After some time, I gathered myself and slowly got out of the bath. I dried myself off and wrapped a towel around my body. As I stood in front of the mirror, I gazed at my reflection, searching for strength within myself.

I made my way to the majestic wardrobe and searched for my school uniform. Once I finished getting dressed, I quickly left my own room.

I headed towards the dining table. The household staff welcomed me with cheerful smiles and greeted me with a pleasant "good morning." I responded with a polite but reserved smile.

"Ma'am, it's fortunate that you're awake. Your breakfast is ready. Mr. Carson asked me to inform you that he won't be able to accompany you today as he has an important matter to attend to," one of the staff members relayed.

Upon hearing this, a subtle disappointment filled my heart, though I maintained a smile. "That's alright," I replied.

I then made the decision to approach the table and have my meal alone. The day felt heavy with a profound sadness. I could only manage to eat a small amount before deciding to depart.

I made my way to the garage and found the sleek black Bugatti, using it since I had the keys.

I entered the car and started the engine, immediately driving towards the school where I worked as a teacher.

In no time, I arrived at the designated location. I swiftly parked in my assigned parking spot. Exiting the car, I walked towards the school gate.

"Edna!" I turned my head at the familiar voice. It was Tatiana, a fellow teacher. Our shared profession had forged a deep friendship between us. I always found solace in talking to Tatiana. She was one of my confidants whenever I faced challenges.

I greeted Tatiana with a warm smile and walked over to her. It was always a pleasure to see her friendly face in the morning.

As we reached the faculty room, we parted ways, each heading to our respective classrooms. I entered my classroom, ready to face the day with renewed determination.

Teaching was my passion, and despite the challenges I had faced, I knew that being in the classroom, guiding and inspiring my students, would bring me a sense of purpose and fulfillment.

With a deep breath, I greeted my students as they entered the classroom, ready to embark on a new day of learning and growth.

After a few hours had swiftly passed, I heard the bell indicating that it was recess time. The excited voices of my students filled the air, and in that moment, a smile spread across my face. Some of my students eagerly exited the classroom, while others remained inside.

With a warm smile, I approached Rome, one of my students who often came to school without any lunch. "This is for you, please accept it. I'll be disappointed if you decline," I said, my smile widening.

"I feel shy, ma'am," he responded.

"Come on, it's to make me happy. Don't you want to see me happy?" I playfully added. A shy smile appeared on his lips, and finally, he took the chocolate from my hands.

"Thank you, ma'am."

"You're welcome. Study hard, alright?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"I'll return to my desk," I said with a smile, making my way back to my seat. Just as I did, Tatiana arrived with an abundance of food, as usual. Her fondness for sweet treats had caused her to gain a few extra pounds.

"You have a letter, here," Tatiana said to me.

"Who is it from?" I asked, intrigued.

"I have no idea. Just read it. Maybe you have an admirer, Edna," Tatiana said, playfully smiling at me.

"Please, Tatiana, I don't have time for that. It might be from Richard," I said, hoping for a different scenario. I swiftly took the letter from her, my excitement evident as I opened it and began to read.

As I read the letter, tears welled up in my eyes.

I couldn't contain my emotions as I continued reading the heartfelt words written in the letter. It was a mixture of joy, sadness, and longing that overwhelmed me. The words on the page stirred up memories and emotions that I had tried so hard to bury.

Tatiana, noticing my tears, approached me with concern. "Edna, what's wrong? What does the letter say?" she asked, her voice filled with empathy.

I took a deep breath, trying to compose myself. "It's from Richard," I whispered, my voice trembling. "He expressed regret for what happened, acknowledging his mistakes and the pain he caused."