New York, Summer, 1921 . Your new neighbor across the lake is the mysterious bachelor , Dutch. His reputation for excess and extravagant parties precede him in the prohibition era. But after an invitation to one of his soirees, you discover your...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
"Did we miss much?" Harrison shouted as he strolled across the lawn towards you. Maribel held onto his arm, tiptoeing daintily as to not get her shoes soiled. You sat on a cushioned chaise in the shade, reprieving yourself from the merciless sun. The air today was particularly sticky.
"They've only just begun. From what I can tell, they're having a contest on who can puff their chest out the most," you said with a roll of your eyes. Maribel gave a husky laugh. You smiled at her then rested your eyes on the lipstick marks on Harrison's neck.
Dear Cousin, you thought, you certainly did not waste any time. But then why should he? If he's happy, he should enjoy himself and fall in love and receive as many kisses as he likes. Time changes everything, and everyone. It turned you into a bitter and hardened version of yourself. Just like those angelic statues in Tom's garden. Only, your wings were clipped the moment Richard stepped into your life.
You watched him seated so proudly on top of your horse. He could almost be handsome if not for the cruelty in his heart. And what a cruel man he was.
"Violet?"
You blinked a few times and looked up at Harrison. He stood in front of you, holding out a glass of water to you. You took it and held the cool glass against your cheek.
"You alright?" he asked with a concerned frown. A simple enough question but the answer was always complicated. You wished you could tell him everything in your heart. How you would love to just say it all aloud, even a whisper would do. Just to tell him, My love has returned but he is changed, as am I, and I just want to fall apart and have him gather up all my pieces because I'm absolutely shattered. I've held on for so long, without any hope, resigning myself to the life that was picked for me. I accepted the part I was given, but I had no idea the penance would be given in bruises and broken bones. I told myself to bide my time and survive until the time is right. But that time never seemed to come and I remained complacent. And you, sweet Cousin, who's too kind to think ill of anyone, ignorantly lived among it this entire time.
I hid it the best I could, but you got a taste, didn't you? You saw the way he struck me the night of the party and I saw that look of terror and disbelief in your eyes. I recognized it. My own eyes looked the same the first night he laid a hand on me. And I still shut the door on you. I still tried to hide it.
Then something miraculous happened. My true love returned. He seemed as like another, but it was him, and all the fire that was smothered can be rekindled once more. And now I can truly be happy, like I was all those years ago.
You watched Richard race after Tom, stick raised. A sweaty grimace was smeared across his face as he whacked the ball down the lawn. Your heart constricted with an unnerving reminder.
Except someone will harm me before I see happiness again, you thought.
