Chapter 49: Leonardo’s POV
I couldn’t help but mention our son. I knew it wasn’t the right time but I felt there would never be a suitable
moment.
I never knew how much he had meant to her just as she didn’t know how much I would have wanted him. A lack of perspective on both our parts. I offer to start over and give her another child and for a moment, I thought it would make her happy. But that’s not what I witnessed as I watched her stare out into the trees passing by as we drove back to Jasmine’s. The rest of the drive was accompanied by our emotional silence. I only decide to speak again as we sit in the driveway.
“Do you want me to stay with you tonight?” I ask quietly. I wanted to impose and demand to be by her side but it wasn’t my right and it was a mistake trying to control Claire. I Had learned that first–hand.
“It’s okay, I’m sure you need to get back to Charlotte.” She had made a dig at me with that one.
“I don’t, actually. How about I go home, freshen up and grab some things and I come back?” In my mind, I’m pleading with her to let me stay but my words played no mimic to my thoughts.
“Okay.” She agreed. I smile to myself as I exit the car and open the door to her. I see Jasmine at the front door, waving at us and I remind Claire that I would be back soon. watch as she disappears into the house with jasmine and head home.
I wish I could say that my home felt less empty when I arrived but it didn’t. Claire was the only one able to fill that void and I knew she wasn’t coming back anytime soon.
I walk over to Charlotte’s room, hoping to talk with her about moving out as my mother requested. Not because I agreed with her notions about Charlotte effecting my image but because I knew it would help bring me closer to my goal in getting my wife back. Charlotte no longer needed my help. I knock on her door but there was no answer and Elena steps out of the kitchen to see me.
“Hello Mr. Leo, Charlotte is not home. She leave yesterday and has not been back since.” She says as she takes my
coat.
“Oh, that’s okay, Elena. I won’t be staying long. I just came to pack an overnight bag.” I say as I hold her hands to stop her.
“Overnight? You have trip?” She asks sweetly in her accent. Usually Elena would pack my things for me, check the calendar and make sure I had everything needed for each trip.
“No, I will be staying with Claire at Jasmine’s house. She has been having a rough time.” Elena opens her eyes wide and shows grave concern.
“Mr. Leo, you must keep Charlotte away from Ms. Claire. I do not think she is good to her.” A wild confession as Elena never had any opinions of guests in my home.
“What do you mean? I’ve only ever seen Charlotte be kind to her?” I defend Charlotte with what I know to be true. “No Mr. Leo, I heard when she spoke with your mother on the phone. I was polishing silverware over here and when your mother hang up, she says bad things about Ms. Claire.” She says as she points to the kitchen near Charlotte’s room.
“Are you sure, Elena?” I ask in confusion.
“She call her wretched peasant.” She nods carefully as she says this.
I stand there and begin to wonder how truthful Claire was being when she had tried to proclaim her innocence all along. Had Charlotte framed her in order to push her away? Was she capable of doing such a thing?
