Page 37 of Bittersweet Revenge

“Maybe you coming with me is not the best idea.”

“Maybe,” he conceded. “But I need to.”

“What do you need to do? Take me there or see her?”

He looked at me, a forbidden look on his face.

“What did you do, Archie? Honestly, what did you do to her?”

He looked down, his cheeks tainted with shame as he balled his hands into fists. “Nothing I can justify or be proud of. I was a different person then, a stupid boy full of pain and anger.” He looked up at me, his grey eyes reflecting a raw anguish that hurt my soul. “Something I pray every day you won’t find out about until you really know me, until I know for sure you won’t stop loving me.”

“I won’t. Of course I won't!” I scoffed. He was my brother, my twin. Even if we’d spent seventeen years apart, I felt connected with him in ways I’d never thought possible.

“You might and I wouldn’t blame you, but…” He brought his hand to my cheek and brushed his lips against my forehead. “Just the thought of you looking at me the way I know you would if you knew, kills me, Esme. I can’t, not yet.”

And I knew the unspoken words -not ever.

“I won’t stop loving you Archie, but okay.” I nodded. Reaching for his arm, I interlinked his with mine. “When you’re ready.”

I found Benjamin downstairs. I saw his face morph with relief when he saw me standing.

“I’m glad to see you well, Ms. Forbes.”

“Thank you, Benjamin. I’m sorry for scaring you. I need to speak with Caleb; is he in his office?”

“No, miss. I–” He faltered; he never faltered. “Mr. Forbes left quite upset with a bottle of scotch. I’m unsure where he went,” he added, his face filling with worry once more. It didn’t matter how Caleb talked to him; the old man obviously cared for him.

“I’ll find him. It’s okay.” I rested my hand on his forearm.

Benjamin looked down at my hand as if this gesture was so unnatural, so uncommon, and it probably was. Nobody in this house knew how to care, to nurture, to simply love, and all of this made me hurt for the little boy Caleb had once been.

“I will take care of him, Benjamin. I’ll bring him back.”

I got the keys out of my pocket, but Archie caught my hand. “What do you think you’re doing?” he asked, an eyebrow arched as if I was crazy.

“Change of plan. I need to look for Caleb.”

“Okay...” He gently took the keys out of my hand and put them in his pants pocket. “And I’m not saying you can’t or shouldn’t – I’m just going to keep an eye on you and drive you wherever you need to go. You almost died yesterday, Esme. Please be reasonable.”

I looked up at him. If it had been anything other than genuine concern on his face, I would have told him to butt out. But he was not trying to control me or tell me what to do; he was only trying to keep me safe. How could I deny him?

“Okay, fine.”

“Oh, and Ms. Forbes,” Benjamin called just as we were about to exit the house.

I turned around and met his eyes. “Yes?”

“I thought you’d like to know that Mr. and Mrs. Astor will be back today. Maybe it would be best if young Mr. Astor was back in before them and in full form.”

“I understand, Benjamin. I’ll do my best.”

“So, where to?” Archie asked as we settled into the car.

“The cemetery.”

“The–” Archie arched an eyebrow at me. “Seriously?”

I nodded. “Yes, it’s just a hunch.”

---