The Sinclair Series Book #1: Tragedy Of Love

Chapter Seven: By Will Or By Force

Vivi's POV
"He was cheating on me."

I opened my eyes to look around at where the voice is coming from. Am I dreaming? Did someone say something? I noticed the woman seated on the edge of the bed. Why is she interrupting my sleep so early in the morning. The sun hasn't even come up. There is a packed bag on the floor. I sat up slowly. "Mother..."

"Your bastard father was cheating on me. I made that man. I picked him up when he was nothing and I made him something. I made him who he was and what did he do? He cheated on me. It went on for years and I never noticed until it was too late to save anything."

She looks devastated. I crawled over to where she is. I took her hand. "Who is she? The other woman?"

"Armour Deveraux."

I know that name. "The duchess."

"Hmmm... The duchess. Your father was an adonis Vivienne! He had the sort of gaze that makes women drop their panties. He was a heart throb. You sort of look like him you know." Sh touched the side of my face with a fleeting smile on her face. "You behave like him too. He was a gorgeous red blooded man with a silver tongue. He was a cassonova like I have never seen. I didn't marry up. I married down. I married a stable boy who used to tend to my family's horses. You see I was an orphan at a young age. I had a big inheritance. I remained in charge of what I owned but he benefited from my wealth. I made him a gentleman, the respectable kind and how did he repay me? He had an affair for five years with Armor Deveraux."

"He's despicable and ungrateful."

"As all men are. Lying cheats. That is why I don't believe in love my child. It's all a lie. You know that Aria Deveraux is her daughter and Henrik Sinclair is Aria's fiance. It won't be safe for you to accept Henrik's proposal. If you do... Armour will hurt you. She is s vicious woman."

I want to think I have nothing to do with it but innocent people are always collateral damage especially in love triangles. "I'm guessing you didn't find a husband for me."

"I figured it's best if you leave. I packed a bag and I included  everything I have left in the form of money. There is jewelry you can pawn off. It's not much-"

"Mother!"

"But enough to get you by. Don't spend it all at once. Find work. Consider dying your hair another colour that is not so conspicuous. Hide. Something tells me he is not going to give up easily. I saw it in his dark eyes. He wants you no matter the cost Vivi. You need to go and don't come back. Get up. Get dressed." She pulled me out of bed. "Brunette will suit you."

"Mother wait a minute! You can come with me."

"My dear child I'm old. This is all I know. I can't leave. I'm not adventurous like you. I love you."

"Is that all she did? Why are you scared? It was just an affair. He is dead. What are you scared of?"

She shook her head. "Some day I'll have the stomach to say more. For now, that is it. Go."

"Where will I go?" I asked.

"I don't know! Don't tell me and don't make it obvious. Just disappear!" She left my bedroom.

I didn't expect to wake up to this. Where am I supposed to go?

*
Several hours later, I checked into a hotel in Berlin. I have always wanted to travel across Europe and I guess this is my chance.

I don't have much but I know how to get by without spending much. I picked a simple hotel with a room facing the beautiful bustling city. It's my first time being all alone. I'm not sure what awaits me here but I'm now more than ever curious about my mother's story. There are too many gaps. I should find out more. Maybe my destination should have been Paris. I may just make my way there soon.