How could she cry for a man who had caused her such pain? Yet, the truth remained that her heart ached, torn between the fear of losing him and the certainty that she had made the right decision.
In the quiet solitude of her room, she wrestled with her emotions. She understood that she could not bind Abel to a loveless marriage, for it would only serve to taint their relationship. To see him every day, knowing that his heart did not truly belong to her, would be a torment she could not endure.
Regret and longing intertwined within her, creating a tapestry of emotions that threatened to suffocate her. She scolded herself for yearning for a love that could never be, a love that would forever remain an unfulfilled dream.
At last, the hour grew late, and she wiped away the remnants of tears that stained her cheeks. With her heart still singing a heavy tune, she stepped out of her room, venturing towards the dining hall, where dinner awaited her.
As expected, Abel had departed hours ago, and with the table devoid of Hector’s presence, with him being away on his trip still, Bridget was left to face her parents alone.
A heavy tension hung in the air, weighing on her shoulders as she took her seat. She could feel her mother and father’s gaze on her, their concern and inquisition evident in their eyes.
She wished for a reprieve, a respite from discussing the topic that was already consuming her thoughts. She hoped her parents would not bring it up.
However, her mother, in her gentle and caring tone, finally broached the subject a few minutes into dinner.
“Bridget, dear, how do you find yourself this evening?” Ruth had a warm smile on her face as she asked.
Bridget kept her gaze fixed on the plate before her, her appetite diminished by the weight of her emotions. With a measured tone, she responded, “I am faring all right, Mother. Thank you.”
A heavy silence fell on the room, each passing second amplifying the unspoken words that hung in the air. Then Ruth spoke once more, her voice spilling a tone of unwavering love and support.
“Darling Bridget, I want you to know that I will always wish for your happiness,” she expressed, her words telling the weight of a mother’s unyielding devotion. “You will have many more choices to make, and I trust that you will always follow your heart.”
Her tone surprisingly felt like a warm breeze on Bridget’s soul. “I truly believe that joy will find its way to you, my dear. Everything will work out.”
Bridget’s eyes met her mother’s, gratitude shining within them. She nodded in acknowledgment, hoping her gaze would beenough to express the words she couldn’t for fear of breaking down.
With a lighter spirit, she returned her focus to her meal, aware of her father’s gaze remaining on her, though he remained ever silent.
Back in her room, Bridget lay on the bed, listening to her heartbeat. Her tears would no longer come, and her rage had flattened. Her overbearing heart felt like it’d been caged at last, and her entire system felt numb.
Suddenly, her heart fluttered nervously when a knock echoed through the silence.
“You may come in.”
With a deep breath, she called out for the visitor to enter. To her surprise, it was her father who stepped into the room, his presence both comforting and unsettling.
As he settled into a chair, anticipation and trepidation enveloped the room. Bridget’s mind raced, unsure of what his next words would bring. She wondered what had brought him to her room.
Had he at last decided to give her a piece of his mind for rejecting the Duke’s proposal, making sure to let her know it was a stupid decision, and she was a bigger disgrace to him than she’d ever been before?
Yet again, he had let her make the decision herself and did not question her after. She watched him closely. His aura did not give off negativity and anger either. Still, she remained skeptical.
At last, with a gentle tone, he spoke, starting with a question. “Daughter, I wish to know.” His voice was soothing and filled with genuine concern. “What is it that you truly desire? What path do you wish to tread from this moment forward?”
His question instantly caught her off guard, leaving her momentarily bewildered. Confusion filled her, and she contemplated if there was still a tongue lashing coming depending on her answer.
“I will support you with whatever it is, Bridget. I do not mind the lengths we would have to go to. Tell me, and it will be done.”
Bridget’s eyes widened, her heart beating in surprise. Never had she expected her father to approach her with such words. The weight of her confusion began to lift, replaced by a glimmer of possibility.
Leonard’s eyes met hers, his gaze filled with sincerity and guilt as he continued, “My dear daughter, I apologize for my past actions, for the harshness and constant criticism. It was never my intention to cause you pain. I see now the error of my ways.”
Emotion welled up within Bridget as she listened to his words. The vulnerability coming from him, so rarely displayed, touched her deeply.
Tears welled up in her eyes as his voice cracked with emotion. “I know I have not been the best father, and for that, I am… truly sorry. Please forgive me. Losing your sister was a devastating blow, and I fear I would not be able to bear losing you too.”
At that moment, the walls of formality and distance crumbled, leaving only the raw connection between a father and his daughter. Bridget’s eyes watered as their eyes met at last.
