Broken Soldier ~ Assassin's Creed 4

Chapter Forty Four

Dearest Edward,

It is with horrific news that I write to you. Unfortunately, I have lost my baby. For reasons unknown, I miscarried and will no longer be having the child. This happened around a month ago now, so I have had a long time to mourn now, but something else has happened to make matters worse. Martin returned from his trip to France on business and to visit his family. He was happy to see me, had clearly missed me, and we talked for a little while.

Back at home and in my bedroom, we sat on the bed. I planned to tell him about his child, perhaps even suggest trying again. Instead, as soon as he found out that his child had been lost, he was quick to put me in my place and he made his plans very clear. Two days ago now, Martin chose to leave me alone with my sorrow. He took back his engagement ring, took a carriage to the harbour and then caught the next ship back to France again. His brother, Clemence, wrote to me to tell me of their family's decision to punish Martin harshly by not letting him stay with them any longer and that they would no longer be helping him in any affairs when they heard the reason he had left me. 

I have done a fair amount of crying over both the loss of my child and my fiance, but just this afternoon, I found out that my mother has been drinking since midday for weeks. She took my sadness into her own heart, began feeling very sympathetic, and drank to make herself feel happier. Of course, I feel awful about her doing it because of me, but I have also vowed to help her through it. I also need her help, and she is offering it kindly, but she needs my aid as well. Of course, her being my mother, she believes that my well being is more important than hers, but I think otherwise.

I know I have said time and time again that I miss you and that I want you to come home quickly, but now I very highly need you. In fact, now, I think I need you more than ever. Now, I will leave you to think and to work.

Missing you dearly,

Elisa.

~~

"Good morning, Miss Ward!" Edith chirped. She was carrying three empty trays in her arms with a huge smile. "I trust you are well today." I nodded, flattening my skirt. "Good. Today, your mother has plans to take you into town, I believe. Also, Daniel wishes to speak with you in his study as soon as possible."

"Thank you, Edith. I will be going along there right away. Are there any apples in the kitchen? I will grab one for breakfast." She smiled.

"Why, of course there are some. Dave gathered some just this morning."

I took an apple from the fruit bowl and took a large bite from the red flesh. Some of the juice from it dripped from my lips and snaked down my chin. I wiped it away on my sleeve. Then, outside Daniel's study, I knocked on the door.

"Come in." His voice was deep and scratchy, as if he had just woken up. When I opened the door, he was looking over some letters with deep interest. "Ah, Elisa, my dear. Take a seat." I did as he said. "Now, I have received some letters from potential suitors--"

"No, no, I don't want anyone picking suitors for me anymore." He cleared his throat. Daniel hated when I interrupted him, and he was very obviously angered.

"You will do as I say."

"I will not marry out of money! I want to love someone, not to want their wealth. Besides, I only just lost my last suitor. I am waiting, at least, a year."

"Yes, and you will choose from these four men. Then, you will marry your choice in a year from now. No more arguments." I stood and slammed my fist on the desk.

"I am not getting married! Not in a year, not in a decade, never. I am never having this amount of hurt happen to me again. And, if one day, I do unfortunately decide to get married, you will have nothing to do with me, my husband or my children." My breathing became heavy. "I follow no one's orders any longer. I am my own person and I will live that way for the rest of my life."

"You are still a child - my child."

"I am not your child. My father  was Marcus Ward."

"You are under my roof, and you will follow my rules." His face began to turn red. Then, he let out a loud sigh. "You have been doing this ever since I married your mother." He pinched the bridge of his nose and leaned back in his chair. "Such a rebellious, spoiled little brat." I widened my eyes.

"Fuck you." I said quietly. Daniel then stood abruptly and mosied around his desk to stand next to me.

"What did you say to me?" He grabbed my wrist. I faced him, mere inches from his face.

"Fuck you." I spat. He wiped his cheek and his hand went to my throat. I smirked at him. "You going to strangle your stepdaughter to death? Gutless, spineless pig. You've become a disgusting man, driven by greed. You would rather I am hurt by a thousand suitors than you lose even a small sum of your wealth." I clawed at his arm. "But, you know what? Fuck you. I will say it a thousand times. Fuck you, fuck you, fuck you." I leaned closer to his ear. "The Kenways were better parents to me than you ever were. Plus, I am in love with their son. He is the only person I would even think of marrying." I grinned. He hated Edward and I had confessed my love for him so openly. "Perhaps I'll catch syphilis from him - the dirty, pirate scum he is. You'd like that, wouldn't you? For me to die with a disease caught by sleeping with a man. Not to mention that I would be shamed by everyone around me. Oh, that sounds like fun." His grip on my neck tightened. "Go ahead. Do it. What do I have to live for anyway? It isn't like I am your last key to securing a fortune or anything--"

"Daniel!" My mother shrieked from the doorway. Daniel instantly dropped his arm, facing his wife with a look on his face like that of a mischievous child who had been caught pulling on his sister's hair. "What the bloody hell are you doing?" She bundled me in her arms as I rubbed on the placed where his fingers had gripped. "Strangling my daughter? Is this all because she wouldn't choose a suitor? I told you she wouldn't and you still went along with it! You are utterly unbelievable." My mother's hands ran up and down my back, rubbing, and soothing. "Don't you ever speak to Elisa again, do you hear me? Speak to her and I will personally cut your head off."

"I fucking hate you, you monster." I seethed as my mother lead me out of the room and to my bedroom.

"Now, Elisa, I do not like this language and you know that for a fact."

"Mother, I am sorry, but he tried to strangle me."

"I know. Just try to keep the swearing to a minimum."

"Alright. For you."

~~~~

(A/N) LOOK WHO UPDATED WOO YAS JAMIE PROUD OF YOU. I'm sorry for this, guys, but I got major writer's block. However, I am now able to finish this fanfiction. I will be skipping forward a few years, but nothing really happens anyway and Elisa is a bit boring when bad shit isn't happening to her so. Three more chapters and they will all be posted today, since I missed at least four weeks anyway, and this story will be over. I will check back in on the last chapter, darlings. :)