"Lying on the floor when I break through
I pull you in to feel your heartbeat
Can you hear me screaming? Please don't leave me
Hold on, I still want you
Come back, I still need you"
"Hold On" by Chord Overstreet
Anthony, watching the whole scene unfold, sighed deeply. He had already lost track of what was happening. He could never have expected to see Phillip here, especially after all his efforts to avoid meeting him in order to prevent any scandal. Everything happening now seemed to shatter that carefully constructed plan.
"Papa!" a child's voice suddenly rang out. Emma ran to Phillip and hugged him tightly, as if they had been apart for a lifetime.
"Hello, sweetheart," Phillip finally caught his breath and lovingly embraced his daughter. He looked exhausted, but his eyes, full of love and care for Emma, softened, despite the heavy situation.
Eloise stood off to the side, watching the scene. Inside, she felt a strange mix of realization and bitterness. Her gaze met Anthony's, and there was no surprise in his eyes. The silence between them spoke volumes.
"Damn..." the thought flashed in her mind when she realized: that's what it was. They all knew. Her family knew about her relationship with Phillip. And now, everything she had tried to hide and avoid suddenly became obvious to everyone.
Benedict, still standing nearby, quietly sighed and muttered under his breath:
"Damn it, Colin..."
The family, frozen by the unfolding events, could not quite get used to this new reality, where everything turned out to be more complicated than it seemed.
***
The ticking of the old clock on the mantelpiece was the only sound breaking the silence in the room. Everything that had happened seemed unreal, and only this ticking reminded them that time was still moving forward. Michael and Francesca exchanged glances, as if silently coming to a decision. Rising quickly, they began gathering their things to follow Colin. Taking John with them, they left, retreating quietly and leaving the others to their thoughts.
A few minutes later, Phillip finally rose from his chair. His face was still troubled, but he remained composed.
"Prepare a carriage for me," he said quietly but firmly to the servant standing by the door.
Anthony watched him, his tension growing. He didn't like how things were developing—there were too many unknowns. He barely held back his irritation, especially seeing how Phillip was preparing to leave without saying a word. However, the presence of Emma prevented him from taking more decisive action. He searched his wife's and mother's eyes for support, but there were no answers.
Emma, meanwhile, approached her father and looked up at him.
"Papa, can I come with you?" she asked, her voice full of hope.
Phillip stroked her hair gently, smiling softly.
"I'm afraid that's not a good idea, my dear. I need to attend to some business, but I'll be back soon," he said, casting a brief glance at Eloise.
Though disappointed, Emma nodded and let go of her father's hand. Phillip left the room, heading toward the carriage, leaving behind a barely perceptible trace of anxiety.
YOU ARE READING
Reflections of the choices
Fanfiction״I fell in love with him at first sight. From the very first day. And I continued to love him always, even when he didn't pay me any attention. I waited and hoped that he would choose me when we grew older. But he chose not me, but my cousin. And my...
