Shattered Glass

5- A Poison for Him

Bree is sitting in the living room, where her whole family is gathering. Elliot is playing the piano with James, they are doing some kind of duet.

A few days ago Claire has left for her boarding school. She was crying and begging her father to cancel the trip, but the parents, or mainly
Bree's decision is final.

The mother feels a little bad, almost sorry. But she knows that it is for her daughter own good. She doesn't want Claire's future to be ruined. She needs to protect her, even if it means that Claire will probably hates her, for now.

She looks up again at her family, what a warm and happy family.

"Duchess, a letter." The maid comes up innocently, where ass Bree shooting daggers with her eyes.

Fortunately, this time the letter doesn't come with a rose. Instead, it comes with a simple silver bracelet.

"What letter is it my love?" The husband walks closer, trying to look.

"Oh it's nothing." She scrambles the paper, hiding it.

_____

"Is your husband the Duke of Southriver?" Christ holds her in his arm, they are in one of his property. Cuddling to eliminate the cold weather.

"Yes."

" I heard that he is a successful businessman, I think every noble secretly looks up to him. In his young age, he managed to build a business empire for himself."

"Hm, I guess so." Bree says uninterested.

Actually, the successful business is not the only thing that make the duke admirable. He is known to be a loyal and loving family man. Many women dream to be his mistress, even married women secretly wish their husband can be like him.

But Christ is not going to say that to Bree. Because, he likes her. And he doesn't want her to leave him for her husband. Although he is the third person, he also, can be jealous.

"I don't like him." She says quietly, almost like a mind reader. "I never did."

His eyebrows are tangled, clearly confused with her confession.

"But he loves you, and he treats you very well." Christ can't stop himself from saying his mind. "Does he behave differently behind the closed door?" He asks still trying to understand where she is coming from.

"No he doesn't. He acts exactly the same like what the gossip says, loving, caring, and overall a great husband. But.." Bree stops, looking at the man next to her. Can she trust him with her biggest secret?

Bree likes him. In her 26 years of living, this is the first time she fall in love. And she doesn't want him to leave her.

"But I still, bore him five children." She almost sound regretful. "I love them Christ, I love my children."

"Do you want to leave him? Forever?" He asks carefully.

She nods.

Christ walks to his drawer, where he puts all of his medicines. Yes, he is a doctor that specializes in making medicines.

His hand is mixing the ingredients carefully, weighing accurately. This solution should be able to save Bree.

"No it will not kill him, but it will give you an excuse to leave him. Forever. You will finally be free."

If the duke loves her like what he says, this staged drama will certainly be enough to create a crack in their relationship.

"What is this?"

"Well, during his birthday party, just mix the solution to his drink."

"Are you coming to the party next week?" She is clearly focused to the wrong thing.

"Yes."

______

The blonde haired girl is sitting in front of Bree and Christ. She is looking at them intensely, unable to make out a decision.

"So you are going to drug him? The duke?"

The both culprit nods.

"And you want me to spend the night with him, on your bed?" She raises her eyebrows, very confused.

"Yes." Bree answers.

The woman touches her blond curls. She is surely interested in being with the duke, just like every other woman alive.

But what is wrong with this duchess? Maria can understand her being bored with her husband, but to take such an extreme measure.. is it even legal to do stuff like this?

"Here." Christ hands her a box of gold jewelries to bribe her.

But is Maria desperate enough to do it? She will need to throw away all of her morality to do it.

"It will not be a one night thing. I am leaving William , so you can have him." 

Maria's eyes lit up. Really?