A New Beginning

Chapter 33

(Third person's POV)

In the next few months, Erik went to work earlier than usual and didn't come home until it was well past dark. If it hadn't been for Raoul, Christine surely would have felt lonely. Raoul would care for her everyday, help her around the house and take her out sometimes insisting that he didn't like her going around alone, especially when she was pregnant.

On one particular day, Christine decided Erik was probably just stressed and that's why he was acting so distant. She wanted to do something for him so she asked Raoul to accompany her to town to buy a few things and prepare a nice dinner for Erik as well as a present. Raoul of course agreed and cooked breakfast for her early that morning. Christine soon got ready and made her way downstairs. She greeted Raoul and then headed to meet Erik who was reading the paper at the table a he drank some coffee.

"Hi love," she smiled as she walked over to him.

"Morning," he replied, his eyes still on the paper even after she had kissed his cheek.

She got down on her knees like a child would and rested her chin on the arm rest, gently rubbing his forearm with her fingers.

"I have asked Raoul to take me to town today, I thought you wanted to know."

Erik sighed and pulled out some money from his pocket. He handed it to her and went back to reading his paper.

"This won't be necessary," she said timidly, "Thank you. I love you."

Erik didn't even bother to reply to her, so she walked out. A tear slipped from her eye and she wiped it away with the back of her pointer finger, and she went to fetch her hat. She didn't even realise he had just walked past Raoul whose face was now red in madness. He stomped into the room and stood in front of Erik. "What do you think you're doing?" he demanded.

Erik didn't respond, so Raoul took the paper from him and threw it on the ground stepping on it afterwards. Erik got up from his seat and pushed Raoul. "What is your problem?" he yelled.

Raoul shook his head, "No, no Erik. What is your problem? You don't care about your wife anymore. She just left the room crying and you don't give a shit. Did you know she cries herself to sleep every night? Did you know she's depressed? Did you know that if it weren't for the twins she would have serious health issues? Erik I have to practially force the food down her throat for Heaven's sake!"

Erik stared into space for a moment and then, "Twins?" He asked. "I'm having twins?"

Raoul chuckled darkly and rubbed his temples. "You didn't know that either, did you? No. It was me who took her to the doctor because you don't seem to care about her anymore." He paused and sighed, as if he were thinking, "If you don't make it up to her soon and begin to treat her well, I'll take her away from you. I can't see you hurting her like this."

"You wouldn't," Erik growled.

"You want to see? Try me," Raoul said defeatingly but Erik shook his head with fear in his eyes. Then Raoul continued, "Now if you'll excuse me, she wants to go to town and you seem too busy to hurt her." Raoul put his hat on his head and left the room. He hugged Christine close to his side and kissed her head as he led the way to the carriage and helped her inside. "Now, what all have you planned?" He smiled and closed the door behind him, taking one last glance at Erik who was staring at him with tears in his eyes as well as shock and fear. Raoul gave a small nod and went to Christine, leaving Erik to think about his family fate.