Shattered Glass

10- Resolution

The house that they arrive at has a clean and simple design. Christopher is a respected doctor who likes to do charity services, but he is not close as loaded as the duke. He only has one servant and one butler, so the kids need to quickly adapt to their new life.

"Eliot, Jack , and Barnes you can have the room at level one together." 

"huh? Like the three of us, in one room?" Jack genuinely asks, they are so used to have their own room and with servants in each room. 

"Yes." Bree answers shortly, still busy unpacking the boxes. 

The kids are exchanges looks with each other; this wouldn't be an easy transition. 

A few months goes by, Christ must admit that they are doing a good job fitting in together. William comes to visit every so often, and he even takes the kids out for outings, as a dedicated father. 

William enters the house to pick up the kids, they are going for a picnic down South today. He is followed by five servants ready to assist the kids. 

"Come on kids, let's go now." Will smiles widely as he sees his kids. 

And so does his kids. 

"Father, I miss you!" Claire runs to hug him.

"Oh dear, I miss you too!" he tightens his hug.

"Look what I made for you!" He waived a handmade card for his father, with best father ever writing at front.

"Wow, that is beautiful, thank you so much.. I should make one that says best child ever for you too!" Will pinches his cheek.

"Um, no! That would be me, not him!" The older boy plays angry. He crossed his hands in front of his chest, pouting. 

They all laugh together seeing the poor acting. Christ is watching the harmonious family playing together, is he the wall that separate them? 

William then raised his eyebrows at Christ as a gentle hello and leave the house. William has been nothing but supportive, and Christ knows that the duke shallows his pride just to make sure his kids are having an easy home-life transition between the two families. 

-

The sun sets early that day, Christ is sitting alone on the piano seat at his house waiting for his family members to come home.

"I'm home." Bree smiles as she sees her new husband, she reaches for a kiss.

Bree is now working as a seamstress to help the family financially. Even with her working, their living standard is still low compared to when she is still with William. But she really doesn't mind.

And hopefully, the kids don't too.

"Are you tired after working all day?" Christ pats his wife's head.

"Yess.." she buggies her face on his chest. "You know, the Countess of Upperland keep on asking for a revised gown.. we have changed it three times!"

Christ feels sorry for his wife, it is surely hard to work with noblewomen. But most importantly, Bree was a respectable duchess. She never has to serve other people. He doesn't know, how can she cope with this disrespect.

He knows, she only do it because she have to, they are not very well financially. Especially since they have to take care of five young children.

To be completely clear, William always offers to financially support them. "They are my kids." As he always says.

But Bree never accepted.

Christ tries to let go of his intrusive thoughts as he pulls her by the waist. He is carrying her easily and place her on top of the brown piano. Their lips are still conjoined, hands on each other.

He needs to be closer to her.

As they are still on top of each other, William and the kids enters the house. They were walking happily until he sees them. He stops and take a deep breath.

The defeated look on Will's face sends shivers down his spine. Christ knows that he is the homewrecker.