Chapter 23

Bridget lay on the silken sheets of her bed, her body weary from the vociferous emotions that consumed her. Over the past couple of hours, she had gone through a large range of different emotions.

As she closed her eyes, memories from that morning with her father and Abel filled her vision again. The anger that had coursed through her veins a few hours ago, propelling her straight from her father's study into the confines of her room, still lingered.

She had unleashed her fury the moment she stepped into her room, screaming into her pillow and punching the sheets repeatedly as she sought release from the overwhelming frustration that threatened to consume her.

But then, the tears had come, unbidden and unstoppable. They cascaded down her cheeks, mingling with the remnants of her anger.

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 be enough 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.

"Papa…"

Bridget's voice trembled as she uttered the word she hadn't spoken in decades. Her eyes filled with tears, a torrent of emotions flooding her heart. She got to her feet and rushed towards her father, throwing her hands around him desperately.

As they embraced, a surge of nostalgia washed over her. Memories of her childhood came rushing back, the times when her father was her protector and confidante. In that tender moment, she felt a glimmer of the bond they once shared.

"Papa," her voice trembled as she spoke, "I have been so hurt, and at times, I don't even recognize myself anymore. I yearn for a chance to start anew, to escape from the weight of my past."

Tears streamed down her cheeks as she poured out her heart to her father. She spoke of the pain she had endured, the wounds inflicted by the recent Duke's betrayal and disregard, and the heavy burdens she carried.

Leonard held his daughter tightly, hoping desperately that his embrace could offer solace and understanding. He listened intently as she bared her soul, her words punctuated by sobs and sighs.

"My dear daughter," he murmured, his voice laced with compassion, "you have carried so much on your shoulders. It pains me to see you suffer. But know this, my dear, you are not alone. We shall face the trials together, and I will do everything in my power to help you find the happiness you deserve."

Bridget's tears continued to flow, but they were no longer tears of despair. They were tears of release, of hope, and of a newfound strength. As she clung to her father, she knew that their shared journey would lead them to a place of healing and redemption.

When Bridget's tears finally subsided, Leonard's hand gently caressed her head, a gesture of affection that had been absent for far too long. In that tender moment, he made his decision and voiced his thoughts.

"Bridget, we have a small estate far from here, a place where you could find the peace you seek. You may stay there, my child, for as long as you wish. It's a quiet, simple place, and it could be your haven alone."

Bridget's heart skipped a beat, her eyes widening in disbelief. She pulled away from him, sniffling, and asked, her voice trembling, "Do you truly mean it, Father? I could leave?"

A soft smile graced Leonard's lips as he looked into his daughter's eyes, filled with love. "Yes, my dear," he replied, his voice steady and reassuring. "All I have ever wanted is for you to find happiness and fulfillment in life. This estate is yours to embrace, to create a life that brings you joy."

Overwhelmed with emotion, Bridget's smile bloomed again, even as tears threatened to spill anew. She reached out, her arms encircling her father in a tight embrace once more, gratitude and love filling the moment.

"Thank you, Papa," she whispered, her voice filled with a mix of gratitude and hope. "I will cherish this opportunity, and I promise to make the most of it. Your love and support mean everything to me."

"Bridget." Leonard's voice quavered with anticipation and tenderness. "I have something else to share with you. Your sister, Virginia, resides in close proximity to our estate."

As Bridget pulled away from the hug once more, her jaw dropping in shock, he nodded and gave her a warm smile. "You may see her whenever you wish. This way, you will never be lonely."

Bridget's eyes widened in astonishment. She was taken aback by his knowledge, and her heart wondered how he had come to possess such information at all.

Leonard, his countenance adorned with a gentle smile, observed her reaction and lifted an eyebrow as he asked, "Why are you surprised, my dear? Virginia is still my daughter, and despite my anger, I've always wished to ensure her safety."

Emotion and understanding welled up within Bridget's chest, a mix of awe and gratitude for this newfound side of her father. It was a facet of him she had never truly witnessed before, and it stirred her soul.

Overwhelmed by the depth of her emotions, she instinctively pulled him into another embrace, her arms encircling him tightly. The realization that her father still cared for her and her sister, despite their differences, brought a renewed sense of hope and healing to their relationship.

In that tender moment, she felt the weight of years of longing and sorrow begin to dissipate. The wounds of the past were gradually healing, and the chasm that had separated them was slowly closing.