White Lies and Sweet Compromise( 𝐁𝐖𝐖𝐌💕)

Chapter 54

Monday morning at Preston Manor.

The thought of leaving Duncan Cove was filling Deacon and Wendy with a heaviness that already left them longing for the comfort and peace that they had found in the past three days. It was like leaving behind something that you wished for and received yet could not keep.

They had earlier finished having breakfast with Cynthia and Precilla and would be heading back to the city in a few hours. Wendy who had sat back with the two women as Deacon went to get their stuff in the car hurriedly made them aware that her relationship with Deacon was a farce.

Wendy telling her mum and aunt the truth had sat quietly waiting for them to express their hurt and disappointment. She could not hide her surprise when the other women had just smiled at her as they sat and sipped their green tea.

Cynthia had said after a few minutes of silence that they were both hoping to see them a few weeks before their wedding.

"Mother," Wendy said trying to hold in her sadness. "There is not going to be a wedding. I told you that Deacon---"

"I know what you told me but Deacon and I had a long talk early this morning before you came down," Cynthia said cutting her off. "That man wants to marry you and I think you want to marry him too."

Wendy who was now standing in the living room looked out the window at Deacon who was bidding farewell to a few of the workers with who he had become quite friendly turned to glare at her mother with a frown.

"Huh?" she asked.

The sound of cheerful chatter and laughter caused her to turn back to the window where she found herself smiling as she saw Deacon's arm wrestle with Wilfred before he turned to the old man's young grandson and pretended to be defeated by his grandfather. He got cheers and laughter from the onlookers who came to see him off and a big toothy smile from the little boy.

Cynthia got up from where she sat came and took her hand then led her to the couch and sat her down, she smiled sweetly at her as she stroked her daughter's hand lovingly.

"Listen I know you think I am disappointed with you for lying about the basis of your relationship with Deacon. I know why you did it and I must say I pushed you to it.

I should have talked to you about my fears and what my intentions were but I was never good at speaking about how I felt. I should have shared my anxieties with you but to be honest I never thought you would have wanted to listen to me after how I treated your relationship with Brandon.

I won't let that happen again though. Like your father, I won't be silent and leave you blindly reaching out to grasp the desires and aspirations that I have for you. You are my daughter and I love you and never have I been disappointed or let down by you.

I see you as a strong, committed and hardworking woman who puts other's feelings before hers so that they can be happy. It's time you did the same for yourself and I believe Deacon is the start to you doing so."

Cynthia squeezed her hands affectionately as she stared loving into her tear-filled eyes.

"You have nothing to be ashamed of Wen darling. Preston Manor is where it is today because you decided to ensure your father's legacy, lives on. You endured Sonia's grudge, jealousy and her manipulation to swindle the Manor away because she never got to marry your father and became Mistress of the one thing she craved.

If Sonia had not interfered with your relationship with her son I truly believe that both of you might have been happy together but she created a hell hole for you and misery for me as she saw us having what she craved.

Brandon is no saint mind you but her control over her son had him becoming twisted and torn as he fought for his existence.

I see your second chance at happiness and I believe that if you should focus on how things started with Deacon you'll not see where it has been and what it has become. Follow your heart Wendy Preston and know that I love you and I am proud to call you my daughter."

Precilla who had come into the room brushed tears from her cheek as she now watched them embrace when they pulled apart they too were crying. She walked over as they got up and hugged her niece to her then staring into a face that oftentimes resembled that of her charismatic father she smiled lovingly. Her brother might not have been an outspoken man and in the end, it might have triggered some bitter occurrences but he was caring, generous and selfless just like his daughter.

"We are all proud of you Wendy Ann Preston don't you forget that," she told her then reached into the pocket of the wide denim skirt she wore and handed her a letter that had a familiar handwriting on it.

"Gorgi wanted you to have this."

Wendy reached for it looking curiously at the yellow envelope but as she was about to ask if Precilla had any idea as to what it held Deacon came inside with little Jacob in his arms with the little boy's hands affectionately locked around his neck.

She smiled lovingly at him knowing that she wanted nothing more than to be with him, have a family of their own and spend the rest of her life seeing that she built on the foundation of the lessons she learned from life and the mistakes made.

Her heart raced with pleasure when he smiled back his eyes fastened on her. She had no reason to doubt Deacon's feelings she could see that it mirrored hers perfectly. They had both come to the same overwhelming end seeing that a white lie and its rising compromise had made for them an appealing result.

I love you, he mouthed.

I love you more, she mouthed in return.

A few minutes later when they were through with saying their goodbyes and were seated in the car she heard Deacon's cell phone ring. He reached for it and answered.

"What did you say?!"

Wendy turned curious eyes to him thinking that their leaving Duncan Cove was going to take them into another whirlwind of events. Her heart thud with apprehension as she sat quietly trying to remain cool and optimistic.

As he listened some more to what was being said on the other end of the call she felt a sense of panic rise within her chest. What seemed like an hour instead of a few minutes he hung up then turned to her and said.

"Evelyn is dead and Elizabeth is in the hospital. Evelyn kidnapped Elizabeth and in the end, lost her life."

"Wha..."

Her voice trailed off as she saw from the corner of her eyes a familiar jeep drove up. Brandon came out looking dishevelled and sleep-deprived.  He barely looked their way as he made it to the porch where Cynthia stood with Precilla. He  without so much as a greeting  pushed in Cynthia's hand a manilla envelope then staggered back to the jeep and drove away

Wendy unlocked the car door and rushed to Cynthia knowing that they were not going to leave for Dresdale at the moment.

𖧷𖧷𖧷𖧷𖧷𖧷𖧷𖧷𖧷𖧷𖧷𖧷𖧷𖧷𖧷𖧷𖧷𖧷𖧷𖧷

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What's happening now? Surely Brandon turning up isn't a good sign... and what's in the envelope?

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