Chapter 87: "Have a taste of it also".
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Flora paced restlessly in her room, her mind a storm of thoughts. She hated feeling this helpless. Beauty had sounded terrible over the phone-shaky, broken, like she was crumbling under something too heavy to carry. And Flora? She couldn't even leave the house.
Her mother-in-law was still recovering. Grandma and Joan were around too, needing care and attention. She was stuck. But she couldn't ignore Beauty either.
With a frustrated breath, she reached for her phone and scrolled to Fiona's number. She hesitated for a second, then tapped "Call."
It rang twice.
"Hello, love!" Fiona's voice came through, warm and affectionate. "How are you? How's everything? I heard some things from Gad... I hope you and your family are fine?"
Flora felt her chest loosen just a little. "We're fine... It's my mother-in-law, she's still healing, but she's getting better. Thank you."
"Oh, that's good to hear. I'm glad she's improving." Fiona's tone softened with relief. "I actually wanted to see you at work earlier that day, but Tessy said you'd already left. That's when I felt something was off."
Flora rubbed her temple, sighing. "Honestly, I forgot you said you were coming. So much has been happening lately-I barely remember anything anymore."
"It's okay. These things happen," Fiona reassured. "What did you want to talk about?"
"Nothing much, really. Can we meet tomorrow morning? I think I just need to sit and talk to someone."
"Of course, that's fine."
Flora hesitated, her voice dropping. "Actually, I called you for another reason too. Beauty... she called me earlier. Something happened between her and Roy again."
"Oh no..." Fiona's voice tensed. "What happened?"
"I don't even know the full story. She just... she was crying. I could hear it in her voice. She's not okay, Fiona. She sounded like she was falling apart."
Fiona exhaled heavily. "Poor thing... That girl has been through enough."
"I want to go to her, but I can't. My hands are full here. Mum's still weak, Grandma is here, and Joanne too. I can't leave them all behind tonight."
There was a pause on the line, then Fiona's regretful voice, "I wish I could go for you, but... I'm not around either. Gad and I went to somewhere far in City B. Just for a short date, nothing too far, but still not close enough to get to her tonight."
Flora swallowed back the wave of disappointment. "It's okay. I get it. You deserve some time too."
"No, I'll come back early. I'll book the first flight tomorrow. I'll come straight to your place, and we'll go together to check on her."
"Thank you," Flora said, letting out a breath she didn't realize she was holding. "I really mean it."
"Don't mention it. Just take care of things over there, okay? I'll also try giving Beauty a call tonight, see if she'll open up to me."
"Alright. Thank you, Fiona. I appreciate you."
"Anytime, love. Talk soon."
The call ended, but Flora didn't put the phone down right away. She sat with it in her hand, staring blankly ahead. There was so much to hold together. But at least tomorrow... she wouldn't be doing it alone.
♡♡♡♡
Aria had been missing for hours. Since the incident with Charlotte, something in her had shifted. She'd gone on a date with Duncan afterwards, hoping for answers, hoping for a connection. But that night had only left her emptier.
There were feelings between them-she knew it. She saw it in Duncan's eyes. But he wouldn't say a word. And it frustrated her.
Why doesn't he talk?
Isn't he the man?
Why does it feel like I'm the one chasing shadows?
She wiped her tears, her vision blurry from both alcohol and emotions. "Should I call him a coward?" she mumbled aloud to no one. Her voice trembled, and tears followed the same path they always did-down her cheeks, pooling into her clenched hands.
The club was dim. The music was soft now, distant. She was seated alone in a corner booth, the empty chairs around her echoing her solitude. Her makeup had started to smudge, her dress still elegant, but her soul felt exposed. People passed by without noticing. To them, she was just another drunk girl, probably waiting for someone.
But she wasn't. She had no one.
She took another glass of alcohol-something strong and burning-and raised it shakily to her lips.
Then, just before the rim touched her mouth, a firm yet gentle hand stopped her.
"Don't do this to yourself."
The voice was low. Calm. Familiar. Painfully familiar.
Her heart leaped. She turned slowly. Her eyes widened.a
"Duncan..." she whispered, like she'd seen ghost.
He looked at her-worried, tired, deeply hurt.
A weak smile curved her lips as she tried to touch his face. "Oh... you came," she breathed, relief washing over her. "You're here."
She leaned in, trying to kiss him, but he tilted his head away.
"Why are you doing this to yourself, Aria?" he asked softly, his voice weighed with sadness. "Let me take you home."
"No," she whispered, slurring. "I don't want to go home with you." She tried to stand, stumbled, and cried out-more from her heart than her lips. "Why do you always... why do you always treat me like I'm nothing?"
Tears poured from her eyes like a river finally let loose.
Duncan reached to support her before she collapsed entirely, catching her just in time. He pulled her into his arms. She was trembling. Her body, her words, her heart-everything was unraveling.
"Your mom is just getting better," he whispered, holding her tighter. "Why are you punishing yourself like this?"
"Because-because everything is annoying!" she sobbed. "Nothing is going the way I want. Don't do this to me. I just want to feel something-anything..."
Her voice cracked.
Then silence.
She had passed out.
Duncan stared at her, his arms still holding her close. His eyes burned, not with anger-but grief. His chest felt like glass-shattered in thousands of pieces.
"I'm here," he whispered to her unconscious form. "Even if you don't believe it, I'm always here."
He gently lifted her into his arms, carried her out of the club without a word to anyone, and placed her carefully in the passenger seat of his car. He adjusted her head, wiped the mascara from her cheek, then got into the driver's seat.
As he drove off into the quiet night, he gripped the wheel with one hand-and her hand with the other.
♡♡♡♡
It was early morning. City B looked alive as the sun rose gently over the skyline, spreading golden warmth across rooftops and streets. The light carried a quiet promise - that today might just be a better day. The city pulsed with activity. Some hurried off to work, others ushered sleepy children to school. Everyone seemed so... determined, chasing purpose with every footstep.
Fiona had taken an early flight. She wanted to visit Flora before heading out to Beauty's place. Meanwhile, Flora had just woken up and was already busy. She'd supervised the servants to prepare a grand breakfast - after all, the house was full today.
Scott was home. Maxson, his wife, and their child were present. So was Grandmother Lydia and Flora's mother-in-law. The family gathered around the large table, sharing breakfast and light conversation. Some of the other family members were away on business trips. As for Arthur and his mother, they kept to their own mansion, distant by choice, rarely joining the others.
Just then, a knock echoed at the door.
Flora didn't need to ask who it was. The electronic screen near the entrance had already shown her the familiar face. She smiled, stood up, and excused herself politely from the table.
"Excuse me, everyone. A friend of mine is here. I'll go get the door."
She walked briskly to the entrance and opened it.
"Oh, you're welcome, dear!" she beamed. "We're just having breakfast. Would you like to join us?"
Fiona stepped inside, returning the warm hug. "No, no. I'm good," she said, smiling. "Had some breakfast on the plane. I'm gorgeous - fully fed," she teased.
She glanced toward the dining room.
"Is that your whole family?"
Flora nodded. Fiona walked in and offered her greetings.
"Hello, Ma. Hello, Grandma. Hello, Mom. How's your health?"
"Oh, dear little princess, we're all fine," Grandmother said, smiling. Lydia nodded along, her face lighting up with warmth. Even Charlotte gave a soft nod.
Scott remained quiet, watching the friendly exchange. He knew Fiona and Flora were close - more like sisters than friends. Joan waved and greeted her warmly.
"Oh Joan!" Fiona exclaimed. "How have you been? And how's my baby?"
"She's good," Joan replied, laughing. "She's greeting you from here."
"Right!" Fiona chuckled.
Flora smiled, then gently ushered Fiona to the living room. She turned to Scott and leaned close, whispering softly.
"Darling, I'd like to set out now."
"I'll miss you so much."
"Don't miss me too much," she whispered with a shy smile.
Scott smiled and pressed a soft kiss on her cheek, making her cheeks flush.
"Okay, darling. Don't be late. I love you."
"I love you too. Bye-bye."
Flora lowered her gaze, a little embarrassed - the entire family was still present. But she didn't mind. She reached for Fiona's hand, and together, they headed out toward Beauty's place.
♡♡♡♡
When they arrived at Beauty's apartment, dawn hadn't fully broken. The city still slumbered under a grey sky, but inside, it was like a storm had already raged through. The living room was in complete disarray - documents, papers, files from her job strewn everywhere. Plates crusted with leftover food sat abandoned on the table. Her coat was tangled with underwear, flung carelessly across the armrest, as if someone had stripped in a haze of heartbreak. The kitchen? A disaster. Dirty pots. Unwashed cups. A sour stench of loneliness hung in the air.
"Beauty?" Flora's voice was soft, cautious.
No reply.
"Beauty!" Fiona called louder, a thread of fear slipping into her tone.
Still, nothing. Just the silence. The heavy, terrifying kind.
The girls looked at each other, panic flickering in their eyes. Then they rushed through the mess and made straight for the bedroom.
And there - crumpled on the floor like a broken doll - was Beauty.
Lifeless, unmoving.
"Jesus Christ!" Flora gasped and dropped to her knees beside her.
Fiona knelt, her hands trembling as she tried to raise her. "Beauty, talk to us! What happened? Can you hear me?"
Her skin was cold. Her lips, dry and pale. Eyes swollen, cheeks stained with old tears. She looked hollow.
"Why are you doing this to yourself?" Flora's voice cracked. "Why let a man reduce you to this?"
For a moment, Beauty just stared at them. Her face, blank. And then - her lip quivered.
"Flora..." she rasped. "Tell me... tell me how I'm supposed to live. After everything I gave Roy. After everything I sacrificed... Is this what I deserved?"
And then she broke.
She wept - raw, guttural sobs that came from somewhere deep inside, from a place words couldn't reach. She clutched her chest like she was holding her heart in place, trying to keep it from shattering completely.
Fiona pulled her into a hug. "This isn't us, babe," she whispered fiercely. "You don't suffer alone. We're here. We've always been here."
They didn't ask for permission. They carried her gently to the bed, tucked her in like a child, and then turned to face the mess.
Without a word, they began to clean.
Papers were stacked. Clothes were folded. Dishes scrubbed. The entire kitchen was swept of its sadness. Every stain was erased with sisterly love. It took time, but slowly, the apartment began to feel less like a graveyard and more like a home.
Once Beauty had rested a bit, they helped her bathe and dress. No one rushed her. No one asked for explanations.
When she finally stepped out, her face still looked fragile, but she had brushed her hair. Her eyes, though swollen, carried a flicker of fight.
Fiona had made a simple breakfast - eggs, tea, something warm.
They sat down together. Three women, eating in silence. No one mentioned Roy. No one mentioned the night before. But in that silence, a vow was made - we hold each other up.
Just then - the door creaked open.
No knock.
No warning.
He walked in like a ghost. Face blank. Mouth unable to form the words he came to say. Regret written in every step.
Roy.
Beauty didn't say a word. She didn't flinch. Didn't cry.
She stood slowly. Took the mug she'd been sipping from - still half-full of tea - and walked to the doorway.
Flora and Fiona watched her, frozen.
Beauty's jaw clenched. Her knuckles turned white around the ceramic.
Then - with one swift movement - she hurled the mug at the wall beside him.
BANG!
The sound cracked through the house like a gunshot. Shards of ceramic flew in every direction. The tea splattered the wall like blood.
Roy flinched hard, eyes wide in disbelief.
Beauty just stared, her voice low and bitter.
"Have a taste of it too."
She smiled - not kindly.
But with the kind of smile pain carves into you.