THE POWERS
In 1930, the Ashfords, once rivals, are now a feared mafia couple. United by marriage, they run separate empires while facing danger together. Jack urges Lisa to focus on strategy, but her deadly skills remain hard to hide. They'll do any...
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TIMELINE
March 1919 – Birthday celebration in the Aldridge's mansion
Guests, many of them Michael Aldridge's trusted men, mingled with drinks in hand while having a lively conversation.
It was Elisabeth’s 19th birthday, a night meant for celebration. She stood near the window, glancing out into the night, but her mind was elsewhere.
Ernest stood beside her, his gaze distant.
"Happy birthday, Lizzie," he said quietly, his tone not matching the festive atmosphere around them.
She smiled softly, turning to him. "Thank you, Ernest." She studied him for a moment, sensing something was off. He hasn’t been himself lately, growing more withdrawn, more uneasy. "Are you alright?"
Ernest hesitated, glancing around to make sure they wouldn’t be overheard. "I don't know, Lizzie. Sometimes, I feel like this life... It’s not meant for me."
Elisabeth frowned, her eyes narrowing slightly. "What are you talking about? You've always been part of this world. My father trusts you. You're his right-hand man."
He shook his head, his thoughts heavy in his eyes. "I know, but... living in the underworld, it’s ruining me. I thought I could handle it, but lately..." He trailed off, unable to finish.
Elisabeth reached for his hand, her voice gentle but firm. "Ernest, you used to tell me we would do everything together. That we’d build our dreams side by side, no matter what. You believed in this life."
His gaze met hers, torn. "I did," he whispered, "but maybe I was wrong. Maybe I was just... young. I don’t want this anymore, Lizzie. I want something... normal."
She stared at him, trying to understand. For Elisabeth, this world, their world was all she had ever known.
She couldn’t imagine stepping away from it, not when so much of her family’s future depended on it.
"You’re overthinking it," she said softly, squeezing his hand. "We’ve come this far together. We’ll figure it out. You said we would."
Ernest forced a smile, but inside, his heart was heavy. He couldn’t bring himself to tell her the truth, that he wanted out.
He wanted a life far from this. The danger, the shadows, the bloodshed. But he didn’t say it.
Not tonight. Not on her birthday.
Instead, he kissed her hand and said nothing, letting the thought linger in his mind as they stood together.
•••
June 1919 – Night At the Northern Dock
The docks were cloaked in a thick fog that night, the smell of saltwater heavy in the air.
