Eclipse of Solaris

Ch. 3

Later that evening, after changing into my evening gown, we went down for dinner.
Me, Beau and Briar sat at one end of the table, our Father at the head, our Mother at his side and the Alden's sitting at the end.
"Your family is beautiful, Sir Viotto" Lady Alden says with a smile.
"Thank you, my lady. I could say the same for yours" he compliments. She blushes.
Mother's anger rises.
I glance towards Lady Alden, near her neck.

The necklace.
She's wearing it.
She is my father's mistress.
How dare she ruin my family like this.

I regain my composure as my father and Lady Alden continue to subtly flirt.

*After dinner*

Me, Beau and Briar exit the dining hall with the Aldens as Mother and father stay behind.
Once everyone disregarded me and left the area, I turned back and listened to what my parents were talking about.

"Sign it." Father's voice said, disappointment clear in his voice.
"Now why do you sound so upset? You never wanted this and neither did I. If anything this is for the better." My mother's stone cold voice states.
"I know that, Laura. Your abandoning the children you'd have birth too. How will they feel?" Father begins to raise his voice at Mother's cool demeanor.
"Frankly, I could care less. Those children were nothing but mere pawns in raising our status and that's all they are. I never wanted that and I've stated it time and time again. I do not want them and never will." She says coolly.
I hear my father sigh as the scratching of a feather pen was heard from inside the room.
A few moments later mother exits the room.
I didnt move and she didn't care to even glance my way.
Even after she had retreated upstairs I remained by the door.
This was real.
.
.
.
Oh but how I wished it wasn't.
After another 10 minutes, father leaves the room and notices me on the floor beside the doorframe.
He stares at me.
I stare back.
"Alessia, dear. I know this is very upsetting but you must trust me, darling. This is for the better." He reaches his hand out to help me up before I slap it away.
"And what about Sir Alden? Lady Alden can't just ask for a divorce out of the blue and if anyone finds out about your affair not only will our family be heavily criticized but you may also be arrested for adultery!" I whisper-yell.
"Don't worry, we have everything all figured out" he assures before kissing the top of my head and leaving me alone, following on my mother's footsteps and going into the bedroom, where even more arguing is heard from above.

Not long after the argument does Mother come down from the bedroom, suitcase in hand.
"Mother! Please dont go, we need you!" I beg, chasing after her as she enters a carriage.
She wastes no words on me as the driver whips the horses and leaves the manor.

She left us.
She really left us.
Surely she must come back.. right?

"Alessia, where is Mother going?" I hear Beau say from behind me.
I turn around and hug him tightly, tears streaming down my face as I do so.
"She's gone, Beau. And she's not coming back" I cry out and he begins to cry with me.
And just like that, out Mother was gone.
The Mother who raised me for the past 16 years with no love or compassion whatsoever.
Though I can't help but feel upset.
After all, shouldn't a Mother love their child no matter what?
.
.
Isn't that what a Mother does?