Unwanted Love || Colin Bridgerton

1# ghost of the past

8 years ago...

The sun shone brightly over the sprawling gardens of the Bridgerton and Brownwhill estates, casting a golden hue over the lush greenery and vibrant blooms. Birds chirped merrily, and the air was filled with the sweet heat of summer.

Angelina Louise Brownwhill, a spirited girl with a captivatingly mischievous smile, and Colin Bridgerton, the charming and witty third Bridgerton brother, were inseparable.

They raced through the gardens, their laughter echoing through the air, their friendship a tapestry of shared adventures and whispered secrets. The world was a magical place, and they were its intrepid explorers.

"Come on, Colin! You can't catch me!" Angelina's voice rang out as she darted behind a large oak tree, her long auburn hair streaming behind her like a fiery banner.

Colin grinned, his green eyes sparkling with mischief. "Oh, we'll see about that, Miss Brownwhill!" He gave chase, his legs propelling him forward with the determination of a boy on a mission.

The game continued, each child trying to outwit the other, until they both collapsed on the soft grass, breathless and giggling. Colin looked over at Angelina, her cheeks flushed with excitement, and felt a warmth in his chest that he couldn't quite understand. She was his best friend, his confidante, and the person who made the world seem brighter.

Their idyllic world, however, was soon to be shattered.

The summer picnic was meant to be a day of joy and relaxation. Families from the surrounding estates gathered near the old stone bridge that spanned the river, the sound of laughter and conversation mingling with the gentle babbling of the water below. The sun was high in the sky, casting dappled shadows through the leaves of the trees.

Angelina's younger sister, Margaret, a delicate girl of seven with an angelic face and a heart full of curiosity, wandered close to the edge of the river, her eyes wide with wonder at the world around her. Angelina, always the protective older sister, kept a watchful eye on her while chatting animatedly with Colin about their next great adventure.

"Look, Angelina! A butterfly!" Margaret's voice was filled with awe as she pointed to the delicate creature fluttering near the water's edge.

"Be careful, Margaret!" Angelina called out, but her sister was already reaching out, entranced by the butterfly's beauty.

Suddenly, dark clouds began to gather, and a distant rumble of thunder warned of an approaching storm. The adults started to pack up the picnic, urging the children to stay close. But in the chaos, no one noticed Margaret venturing further onto the old stone bridge.

A sudden downpour turned the world into a blur of water and noise. The river, once calm, transformed into a raging torrent, its waters swollen and violent. Angelina's heart lurched as she saw Margaret standing on the bridge, her eyes wide with fear as the wind whipped around her.

"Margaret! Get back!" Angelina shouted, her voice barely audible over the roar of the storm.

But it was too late. A massive tree branch, dislodged by the wind, came hurtling down the river, smashing into the bridge with a sickening crack. The bridge trembled, and Margaret lost her footing, slipping towards the edge.

Angelina's scream pierced the air. She ran towards her sister, but Colin, seeing the danger, grabbed her arm. "Angelina, no! It's too dangerous!"

"Let me go! I have to save her!" Angelina struggled against Colin's grip, her eyes fixed on Margaret's terrified face.

In the chaos, Colin's grip slipped, and Angelina was thrown back. She landed hard on the ground, pain shooting through her body when she realised it was too late . Desperation and guilt clawed at her as she watched Margaret, helpless and alone, being swept away by the current.

The world seemed to move in slow motion. Colin, in his attempt to pull Angelina to safety, felt his heart shattering. Angelina's screams mingled with the sounds of the storm.

The rescue operation that followed was a nightmare of frantic searching and agonizing uncertainty.

Hours passed before Margaret was found. Her body battered and bruised, with no sign of life. Angelina, her leg mangled and her spirit broken, was left to grapple with the guilt of having failed to save her sister.

The incident left deep scars on both their lives. The once vibrant innocence of their friendship was replaced with a bitter resentment. Colin, haunted by the memory of the accident and guilt, grew distant and aloof. The fact that Angelina blamed him made his heart shatter

Angelina, consumed by guilt and self-reproach, retreated into a shell of bitterness and anger. She blamed herself for Margaret's death, but she also harbored a deep resentment towards Colin. In her mind, he had held her back, prevented her from saving her sister. The bond they once shared was now a chasm filled with sorrow and blame.

The Brownwhill family, devastated by the incident and burdened by guilt, felt the sting of societal judgment. Whispers of negligence and accusations of blame followed them, casting a shadow over their once bright reputation. Seeking refuge from the relentless gossip and scrutiny, they fled Mayfair and found rather peace in the countryside.

Years rolled by, turning the wounds of the past into festering scars. Until Angelina's parents decided the time had come for their daughter to present herself to society, and to find a suitable man to wed.