Claire started showing up at the manor three, sometimes four times a week. Always with some excuse...dropping off papers, needing Damien's signature, checking on wedding details that didn't exist.
Really, she came for Emma.
They'd have coffee in the garden, away from Vivian's cold stares. Emma enjoyed her company. Even before she married Damien, she didn't have much friends. She had been too busy working to take care of her sick brother to make any.
So having someone she could talk to and have fun with especially now that life had gotten harder was a blessing. Emma found herself looking forward to Claire's visits.
Claire would tell her stories about her dating life and childhood days.
It was on one of those days that she revealed, that she and Damien were childhood friends.
"Really?"
"Yes! I was the gardener's daughter but he didn't care. We would play all day in the garden. We particularly liked hide and seek."
Emma tried to imagine the cold rude Damien playing hide and seek. Level: impossible.
"He wasn't always this bad. His mother's death really changed him. But yes, it's not an excuse for treating people like crap."
Emma smiled. Finding someone who understood her and kept her company felt like heaven.
They'd sometimes even talk about Emma's painting. She was very excited to show someone.
"You are looking better these days. Been eating more now?" Claire observed.
"You keep bringing food."
"Because you look like a strong wind could snap you in half." Claire smiled. "But you're looking better. Little bit of color in your cheeks."
Emma smiled back. "Thanks for… everything."
"You'd survive."
Vivian passed by, a face full of scorn.
"She hates that we're friends," Emma said.
"Good. Fuck her."
Emma laughed heartily, the sound of her laughter surprising her, because she didn't know she could laugh like this.
-----
But Vivian and Margaret were getting worse.
At dinner, Margaret "accidentally" knocked red wine across Emma's lap. "Oh, how clumsy of me. Though that dress was hideous anyway."
Vivian started locking rooms Emma tried to enter. "Family only, dear. You understand."
The staff got bolder. One maid literally slammed a door in Emma's face.
Emma stopped going to dinner. She started eating only in her rooms.
One night, just as she was about to sleep, someone barged into her room.
Emma looked up, shocked.
"Who's there?"
It was Margaret, standing there, fuming.
"Where is it?"
Emma sat up. "Where's what?"
"My bracelet. The diamond one. It's missing. And you are the only one I suspect will take it."
"I didn't take your…."
"I didn't take anything..."
"Liar!" Margaret lunged at Emma, grabbing her by her hair and dragging her out of the bed.
"Aaaah!" Emma screamed in pain.
Margaret dragged her down the stairs, her grip not loosening from her hair. Emma felt as if her scalp was going to tear.
"Let go! Let go of me!" She screamed.
"You're going to the parlor where we can search you properly. Little thief..."
"What's going on here?!" Damien's deep voice echoed through the halls.
He stood there in his nightwear, looking at them with anger.
"This bitch stole my bracelet!" Margaret shouted, not letting go of Emma's hair.
"Let her go."
"Not until..."
"Let. Her. Go. Now."
Something in his voice made Margaret release her. Emma staggered, hands going to her hair.
Damien walked over to them;
"You dragged her by her hair?"
"She's a thief..."
"She's my wife!" His voice boomed around the halls with undeniable authority
"You don't touch her. Ever. Do you understand me?"
Vivian stepped forward. "Damien, be reasonable..."
"Get out. Both of you. Now."
"This is my home..."
"It's MY house!" Damien roared. "Mine! And if any of you dare lay your hands on her again I won't hesitate to throw you out on the streets."
A hush was heard in the hall. Everyone was surprised. His statement wasn't only a warning for his family but for every single soul in the house.
Vivian and Margaret exchanged looks. Then Vivian's mouth curved into a cold smile. "You'll regret choosing her over family."
They left.
He turned to Emma. She was trembling, tears spilling down her cheeks.
"Are you hurt?" His voice was different now. Softer.
She shook her head but then started to cry even harder. She wailed, feeling all the pain from the past month at once.
"Come here." Damien reached for her.
Emma moved back abruptly. "Don't…don't touch me."
"Emma..."
"Don't!" She screamed, "You…you let them torture me for weeks. You did nothing. Weeks! You said nothing, did nothing, and now you want to play hero?" You wanna suddenly show kindness now?"
"I didn't know it was this bad..."
"You didn't care! You were never here! You left me with them and they..." Her voice broke.
"I'm here now."
"It's too fucking late now!!"
"Don't shout at me!" He yelled back. Shit. He shouldn't have said that.
"Emma…. Please just calm down."
"After weeks of them destroying me! You want a medal?"
Damien sighed. Then his eyes really looked at her. At how her nightgown hung loose. At the sharp angles of her collarbones. At the hollows under her eyes.
"Jesus Christ," he whispered. "When did you get so thin?"
"What?"
"You're… Emma, you're…" He reached for her again.
Emma took a step back. The room tilted. Went grey at the edges.
"Emma?"
Her legs gave out.
Damien moved forward, catching her fast before she could hit the ground.
"Emma!"
He wrapped his arms around her fragile frame. She was running a fever and breathing heavily.
"Emma? Emma!" His voice cracked with something like fear. "Henderson! Call a doctor! Emma, wake up. Emma!"
But Emma did not respond. Her breathing had become shallow now. Her body getting even hotter.
He trembled, the memory of his mother's lifeless body floating into his mind on seeing Emma's lifeless-like body.
"Emma…Emma please wake up. Please, I'm sorry. Just wake up," he whispered, cradling her to his chest.
She didn't.