Chapter 7 Fragile Peace

For a moment, I let myself believe him. I let myself melt into the warmth of his hand, I could see the embers from the fireplace glowing in his eyes. I let myself forget the battles waiting outside for me outside the cottage, after our vacation was over.

After all, I agreed to follow him so I could find some peace and quiet. I agreed to this vacation because somewhere in my heart, I wanted to steal time alone with him. Mark was the man I wanted, I can't even lie. He is my dream come true.

That night, we sat by the fire for a long time after Lily had fallen asleep, speaking in hushed voices about everything. We talked about my dreams, my childhood and his regrets. And though we never said it out loud, love was between us, it was fragile but undeniable.

For three days, we enjoyed that fragile peace. Lily laughed more than she had in weeks, chasing waves along the shore with Mark running playfully after her. His laughter and hers made my heart palpate with joy and peace.

I watched them play from the porch where I sat, my heart swelling with hope and joy. Mark was my joy, he gave me a kind of hope that I knew was dangerous. When I cooked, he stayed with me, hyping every scent of aroma that came from my simple meals.

He ate my food with joy and a warm smile that made me know that I had found my home, my safe place. He didn't let me do any chores, he got the house cleaners to do it. I knew from the way he treated me that he was madly in love with me.

We played board games by the fire. And for the first time, I felt what it was like to have a family, to belong to someone. My parents were always there for me but I had been alone, after my mum died and I had to raise Lily on my own.

My ex, Lily's father, was the man I thought I would spend my whole life with. We met when I was in college and he told me that he would be my everything.

Our love story ended when I discovered that he was cheating on me with my then best friend in college. I found out I was pregnant three weeks after our break up and I told him.

He told me to get rid of it but I knew I couldn't. So I decided to raise Lily on my own without him and without support. And that has been my life until I met Mark.

Mark, my Mark had been my peace and comfort from my struggles. But the peace we shared was a fragile thing and it was shattered on the fourth morning.

I woke up that morning to the sound of loud voices outside. My heart was pounding from fear, so I rushed to the door.

I froze at the door instantly but it wasn't because I felt cold. I just couldn't believe the figure I was seeing.

You guessed right, it was Emily Vanclair.

She stood in the driveway, and her designer coat was glistering under the bright sun, her eyes looked as if she had won a battle. She looked like she had been looking for me and Mark and she finally found us.

Behind her was a sleek black car, and though I couldn't see inside, I knew that his parents had found us.

"Well," Emily's voice bragged with her gaze sweeping over the cottage with disgust before landing on me. "So this is where you've been hiding. You can't take Mark away from me."

Mark stepped in front of me instantly, his voice aggressively chasing her. "Emily, leave."

She laughed, it was a cruel sound that made my stomach twist. "Leave? Oh no, darling. I've come to take you. Your parents are furious, and frankly I am too." I can't believe you ran away with this cheap waitress and that thing she calls her child."

"Emily!!!" his voice flared in anger. "Don't speak to her that way."

"I'm just asking if you know what this has done to our image?" Emily replied to him.

"What image? I don't care!" Mark roared back at her.

I was shocked at her words. Our image. She said it as if Mark were already hers.

"You don't own me, Emily," Mark snapped. "This engagement, you know it's just for the family business. I don't want you. I never have."

Her eyes narrowed and her face twisted with jealousy. "And you think you can replace me with her?" She pointed her perfectly manicured finger in my direction, her voice filled with hatred for me.

"She's nothing, Mark. She is nothing but a charity case with a child that isn't even yours. Do you really think your family, your world, will ever accept her?"

The words cut through me, leaving me breathless. She reminded me once again that I will always be a stranger in Mark's world.

I wanted to talk back to her and defend myself, but my throat closed with shame and fear. Besides, I wanted Mark to defend me. He wasn't worthy of me if he couldn't defend me in front of Emily and his parents.

"Enough! You don't get to insult her. Clara is worth more than you'll ever be. She's stronger, kinder, more real than you and my parents put together."

My heart thundered with pride. My man was defending me.

Emily's lips curled into a cold smile. "Then you've made your choice. But don't say I didn't warn you. This won't end well for both of you."

She entered the car sharply, her heels hitting harshly on the gravel, and within seconds she was gone, zooming off in her sleek black car.

I stood there, short of words.

Mark turned to me, his face was pale but he didn't look discouraged.

"Clara, look at me."

I looked at him weakly. He didn't look like he was giving up but I was afraid and wished that we didn't have to fight so hard for our love.

"Whatever they throw at us, whatever they try, I won't let them win. I won't."

But my eyes didn't leave the empty road where Emily had stood, her threats kept echoing in my ears.

Because I knew this was only the beginning.

And love alone might not be enough to save us.