Rage (Blue Rose Series Book 1)

Chapter 29

"You have lost your mind. We're only twenty-one."

"So? My parents got married when they were eighteen."

"Good for them, but twenty-one is way too young for me."

He moved away from me. "You don't want to marry me?" he sounded hurt.

"Noah, until a few days ago, I wanted you in jail. I thought this whole thing would end with you four going to jail and me on a beach somewhere sipping a margarita. And now you're talking about marriage. No. Hell no."

"This is the way to protect you. Blue Rose has strict laws when it comes to marriage. He can't touch you."

"They don't believe in divorce, so if we end up hating each other, we'll either have to kill or stay married."

"My parents don't like each other, and they're doing fine."

"We aren't them. And if we ever get married, I want it to be because we're so deeply in love, not because you think it's the only way to save me."

"We are deeply in love."

"I know. When we're more mature, have our degrees and explore the world a bit." He nodded, but I knew he was hurt. "I'm sorry, Noah."

He shook his head. "It's fine. I will find out if there is any update on the case."

He walked out without another word. I felt shitty, and I shouldn't feel shitty when I knew I was doing the right thing. I wasn't ready for marriage, and I knew he wasn't either. I waited in Noah's room for about an hour, and he still hadn't come back yet, so I went exploring. The mansion had been passed off from generation to generation.

From what I knew, each of the four families had a mansion in Hillford in this neighborhood. That must mean so did the Dumas. It would be foolish to go there, but I still thought about it. No, I couldn't risk going there and Wallace somehow finding out. He'd know I was in contact with the family. I hope Henry was able to protect Alice.

As I was walking around, I seemed to have landed in another wing that appeared to be for guests. There were five colors on each door, signaling the colors of the families. I got the fifth door with a dark purple rose above a place that said Dumas. I couldn't help myself and turned the doorknob. It was unlocked, and I walked in. Dust particles floated around the room, and there were white sheets. It was the size of an apartment. There was a living room, a dining room with a long table, and multiple doors. I opened each one finding six bedrooms. Three had two bunk beds, while the others had single beds. This must be where all the families slept. I stepped further into one of the rooms and looked through the drawers. There were a few nick knacks but nothing significant. I was about to leave when something in the closet caught my eye. It was a walk-in closet, and I stepped inside to look closer.

There laid a brown leather book, and when I picked it up, it was heavy. I carried it to the desk in the corner of the room and sat down. I opened the book, and the sound of pages filled the room. As I looked through the book, I realized it was some history book dating hundreds of years ago. The Dumas documented what seemed like their whole history. The Dumas slowly built their empire where no one could touch them. They bought land in California and raised their families. This book seemed to summarize each family through the generation, and every family member seemed to have contributed to the reader. On the last page was dated about twenty-one years ago by Evelyn Dumas.

I don't know how long I have. I can't continue the legacy. I'm sorry to my ancestors, who I know are disappointed in me. I tried, but I can not marry someone I do not love. Owen Grant is a cruel man who will never change his ways. I am writing this because I carry possibly the last Dumas in my belly because Alice can't have children. This will be the last. Our legacy will end because my child will not know she is a Dumas. No one will know. I will place this book in our home in Hillford and never return. The Blue Rose isn't what it used to be, and I believe we are too far gone. I ask that the universe take mercy on all our souls. Evelyn Rachel Dumas. December 10th, 2001.