Heart at risk

7. And all I did was bleed

Eloise's mouth fell open in disbelief as Colin's words cut through the tension in the hallway. Her eyes flashed with a mix of anger and hurt. 'You cannot just throw me out like this,' she said, her voice trembling with a blend of outrage and confusion. 'I am worried about Penelope too.'

Colin's face remained a mask of stern determination. 'Eloise, your presence right now is not helpful.' Eloise's eyes glistened with unshed tears, a stark contrast to the anger that had previously dominated her features. 'You cannot just dismiss me. I am family too.'

Colin's expression hardened further, his patience wearing thin. 'You have been badmouthing Penelope for months, and now you think you have the right to barge in here like you're the concerned sister?'

Eloise's eyes widened, her voice rising in anger. 'You have been just as cruel to her! You have no right to lecture me about concern when you've made her life miserable yourself!' The sting of Eloise's accusation hit Colin with full force. His face fell, the anger in his eyes giving way to a dawning realization. The weight of her words struck him hard, and he found himself grappling with the truth he had been too blind to see.

For a moment, Colin stood in stunned silence, his eyes dropping to the floor as he processed the gravity of what Eloise had said. 'Do you remember how you called her a liar?' Eloise spat, her voice trembling with emotion. 'How you said she was deceitful and that she had tricked you into marrying her? You accused her of manipulating you... of being a fraud and-'

Before Eloise could continue, Violet's voice cut through the tension with a sharp authority that demanded immediate attention. 'Enough!' She stepped forward, her gaze shifting between Eloise and Colin with a look of steely determination. 'Enough of this,' Violet said, her voice ringing with the weight of a mother's fierce protectiveness. 'This bickering, this blaming—it ends now.'

Violet's voice grew softer but no less intense as she continued. 'Both of you have failed Penelope.' Her words were laden with sorrow and disappointment.

'Colin, you have let your anger and frustration overshadow your love for her.' Violet said, her eyes piercing through him. 'I am baffled by how such cruel words came to the surface. However, have you been truly listening to her? Have you tried to understand her side, to talk things through with her, or have you only let your grievances fester?'

Colin's face flushed as he stared at the floor, struggling to hold back tears. Violet watched him intently, her gaze unwavering. 'If your answer is no,' she said quietly but with a firm edge, 'then you should be deeply ashamed. You have no right to be angry with Eloise or to place blame elsewhere.'

Turning her attention to Eloise, Violet's expression softened but remained resolute. 'And Eloise, you have failed Penelope just as much,' Violet said, her voice steady with disappointment. She sighed, the weight of her words settling heavily in the room. 'Both of you need to take a hard look at yourselves. Penelope is suffering, and neither of you has been the support she needed.'

Eloise opened her mouth to respond, a mixture of defensiveness and frustration in her eyes. 'But mother, you are clearly not aware of what she—'

Violet cut her off sharply, her voice brooking no argument. 'I do not care.' Eloise's eyes filled with tears, her voice trembling as she tried to explain. 'But —' Violet's gaze was unyielding, 'I do not care. The reasons, the excuses—they are irrelevant at this point.'

His tears fell freely, betraying the deep anguish he felt but had been trying to suppress. The weight of Violet's words, and the truth of his own actions, had become too much to bear.

Violet's gaze softened as she looked at Colin, the sternness giving way to a more compassionate but still resolute demeanor. Her voice, though firm, carried a note of gentle concern. 'Colin, how is Penelope?' she asked, her tone inviting a response but also laden with the expectation of sincerity.