Stay by my side, Mi Confidant

Part 1: Is It Too Late For Us?

"What? You're joking, right, Uncle? Creighton left with Liam. Like when?" Ashley couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"But how did it happen?" Carrie worriedly asked.

Butler Donald set the meal tray down on the kitchen bench with a sigh of disappointment. Carrie and Ashley stopped talking and stood silent because they couldn't believe Creighton had gone without even saying goodbye to them with a sad expression on his face.

"I don't know what happened after the ball party last night or when he left the mansion. However, it was Lady Agatha who found the letter this morning that was addressed to me. She was dispirited upon knowing that Creighton left without a word." Butler Donald started to feel worried about Lady Agatha again after a very long time.

"I asked Lady Agatha what happened, but she ignored the matter, and told me to find someone else." He added.

"I can't believe this. Arg! Creighton, you, you, coward" Ashley cursed him with a face filled with anger and disappointment [in a funny facial expression].

"Ashley, stop it. We don't even know what happened. We have no right to say anything to Creighton or Lady Agatha." Carrie warned her not to say anything further.

"Then what was on the letter, Uncle?" Ashley tilted her head while holding the broomstick.

"He just mentioned that he is going back to Kentidale with Liam. He did not say anything else in the letter." Butler Donald pondered.

"I don't understand, how can he leave like that? I'm eager to be angry or chastise Creighton for leaving without even saying goodbye to us, but it appears like he was provoked, he was made to leave. Something may have occurred while they were at the ball?" Ashley reflected on what was going on inside his head.

Carrie and Butler Donald exchanged glances, perhaps agreeing that Ashley may have a point. As for why Lady Agatha didn't say anything, it seems to be the reason. There's a chance that Creighton chatted with Lord Douglas Ashton during the party. The thought that Lord Douglas could have intimidated Creighton finally prompted Butler Donald to investigate why Creighton left the house.

"Is it possible for him to come back? Do you know where he lives, Sir Donald?" Carrie wondered while she tried to comprehend the situation.

"I will try to talk to Lady Agatha again. But at this moment, we can't do anything. Let the days come by. They might just need space."

**

It's been three days since that happened now. No one told Lady Agatha anything about Creighton, and she never attempted to find out. She's gotten back to her old routine of overseeing the family's other business properties in addition to the manufacturing company that her uncle, Lord Douglas, runs. She doesn't shut herself away in her room to cry like she used to, but she no longer celebrates life's milestones. She took a seat on the window seat couch and stared up at the stars. The moonlight sparkles in her ocean-blue eyes and outshines her scarred face. A look of regretful yearning. Her chest hurts as she remembers the happy times she had with Creighton and Liam. She longs for Liam's heavenly voice calling her "Mama" followed by his contagious giggles. She missed Creighton, who had shown her how to love despite her flaws with grace and kindness. The truth is that she misses them and hopes to be reunited with them soon.

**

Three days have also passed since Creighton and Liam returned to Kentidale. Liam, who called Lady Agatha "Mam-ma," would search the whole shabby home for her every morning. And Creighton would spend time at the grave of his wife, which was close to their home, leaning against the Mahogany tree while the wind rustled the leaves around him. Oftentimes, he doubts himself whether he made the right decision in leaving Lady Agatha. The menace of Lord Douglas Ashton has rendered him incapable of mustering his usual reserve of bravery.

Along with Liam, he wandered the backyard. When he walked gently with Liam, Liam will glance up at him and notice that his bare feet are touching the lush grass. When he saw that his father was upset, he would pinch his father's fingers with his small hand. Creighton will look back at him with a sorrowful grin on his face and then take him inside.

Creighton heard Liam's scream early the following morning as he was trimming the trees in the backyard. He dropped the axe and ran back inside, fearing that Liam had fallen off the bed. Once awake, Liam sat up by balancing himself with his hands on the mattress. He felt so lonely and homesick for Lady Agatha that he broke down in tears. He kept addressing her as "Mama." Creighton attempted to intervene by expressing as much, but after a few restless nights, he had had enough.

"I said stop crying! Lady Agatha is not your mother! Lucy, Lucy is your real mother. Do you understand!?" Creighton's tension towards his son finally broke, and he began to tear up.

That scared Liam a much. He caught his father's eye at eye level and gently shook his head as he cried out in innocence. A crimson, dripping nose became the norm for him. Creighton's eyes widened as he realized he had just emotionally hurt his son by treating him harshly. His son is an innocent boy who wants nothing more than to feel his mother's love. Hurriedly, he dropped to one knee, his half-body touching the bed's edge as he embraced his son. Little Liam clings to his dad's shoulders, sobbing.

"I'm so sorry, Liam. I should have not said those words." Creighton regretfully said hugging Liam tightly while he was crying.

While hugging his son, thoughts stormed into Creighton's mind, "I know how much you missed Lady Agatha, and so do I. I just don't know what to do. If we go back, I am not sure if Lady Agatha will allow us to return. I hurt her feelings but it's unbearable for me to see you hurt, my son. It's my fault, my fault, and I am so, so sorry." He closed his eyes wanting to repent, knowing what a huge mistake he made.