A Different Kind Of Love

Lizzie had never been one to envy others.

When the other girls had new dresses or shoes, Lizzie didn't mind. When her father sent her out in a too-short dress and not her sister, Lizzie didn't wish to switch places. No, she was simply glad for what she had because she learned early that even a little could become nothing if you spent all your time wanting something more. But there was one time- just one in her life- where she felt true envy.

The day Grace Burgess walked down an aisle and became Grace Shelby.

It made something twist inside of Lizzie that she'd never felt before. And it didn't fade after Grace's death. It only seemed to get worse. Because no one saw Tommy the way she did. No one saw him the nights he slept in the office talking to a picture that would never talk back. And for Grace to still have so much of him even in her grave... Yes, Lizzie had envied Grace Shelby.

But not anymore.

-

The party was a smash. All the toffs that Tommy hated were there. The women were dressed in gowns that Lizzie had only dreamed of during her days as a whore. The men spoke of bets they'd won worth more money than any man should be allowed to have. Conversation flowed as easily as the drinks and Lizzie... Lizzie had taken the first chance to slip away from it all.

Slipping into Tommy's office had been like taking a breath after being underwater too long. The noise of the party was faded and she could slip her heels off without breaking some rule she didn't care about. She had never thought that her biggest complaint after marrying Tommy would be the parties. But then, she had never thought much about being married to Tommy. Some fantasies were too impossible to indulge in.

Lizzie allowed herself five minutes before brushing the skirt of her dress free of any wrinkles and slipping her shoes back on. She opened the door of the office with her head high. Appearance was everything- especially if your name was Shelby. She stepped out into the hall, the music and voices once more surrounding her. She hoped that Charlie and Ruby weren't still awake from the noise.

Stepping around the staircase, the great room came into view. Her eyes scanned as much of it as she could, trying to spot any members of her husband's family. But a hand grabbed her arm and jerked her backwards. As she tried to catch her balance the cold edge of a blade landed against her throat. The hand that had pulled her backwards quickly covered her mouth.

"You do what I say or those two little ones will be getting measured for coffins." Lizzie's entire body tensed at the thought of losing Charlie or Ruby. The man behind her pressed the blade deeper, nudging her to walk towards the dining room. "Now, you're gonna get your husband to come out here. No fuss, nice and easy. Alright?" A nod was all she could manage, fear strangling her words.

Lizzie forced her feet to move forward. She kept her eyes on the open door of the dining room. And as she got closer she heard Tommy's voice above the pounding of her heart. The deep rumble of his voice made something snap inside of her. Suddenly her fear was melting- giving way to anger. Because this stranger had come into her home. This man had threatened her children. And now he was using her as bait to trap her husband.

The man kept her to one side of the doors, wrapping his arm painfully tight around her waist. She heard Tommy speak to Frances, heard him ask when dinner would be served. It was a question Lizzie would have been asking if not for her current predicament. The blade had warmed against her skin, almost burning her now, it seemed like.

"Tommy?" Frances paused mid-sentence. The click of men's shoes moved closer to the door. And Lizzie wanted to say something. She wanted to warn him. But she was a mother first and a wife second. She kept quiet. Stumbling backwards as her attacker moved further into the shadows, Lizzie felt a drop of liquid trail down her neck as a sharp sting bit at her throat. It distracted her enough that she didn't see Tommy step out of the dining room.