Page 79 of The Fighter who Needed Me
Persephone had been so caught up with everything that she had not asked about her maid much and she hated it.
“Where is she? Is she employed by another family?”
Lydia shook her head, “She is my personal maid. She has knowledge of healing and medicine, so I asked if I could hire her. I hope that is all right?”
Persephone grinned, “Of course it is. Anneliese was the only person who tried to help me when my parents did what they did. She threw out the medicines they gave me, and I saw her do it more than once.”
Lydia grinned, “I knew I liked that girl. I will call her to join us, will that be acceptable to you?”
She nodded and Lydia kissed her cheek softly, “I am so elated to see you here. Sit, eat. Both of you.”
She led them to the chairs that had a place set at each, and Brooks held her chair for her and pushed it in, and then sat next to her.
Jacob grinned at them and Brooks smiled back, “Welcome. We are so happy you are both here.”
“Thank you, Jacob.” Brooks said and Persephone thanked him as well and then the door opened, and Anneliese walked in.
Persephone stood from her chair and Anneliese let out a small gasp and hurried over to her and the two hugged.
Persephone kept her arms around the woman, “Are you all right? That night was so horrible, and Bruce said he had to keep you quiet. I am so sorry that happened to you.”
Anneliese smiled through the tears on her face, “Am I all right? I wanted to ask you. You were gone and I felt like I failed as your maid and your friend. I tried to get you out of there. Tried to help you escape, but they found out. Have you been sorely mistreated?”
Persephone shook her head, “No more than normal.”
Anneliese’s lips pursed, “I should have been there.”
Persephone shook her head again, “I was grateful you weren’t. That you had the chance to live a normal life.”
Anneliese’s eyes softened, “You are too kind to me. I am just glad you got away from them.”
Persephone sat down and Lydia had set another place, and Persephone told them of her life and what had happened since she had been taken and everything leading up to it.
Everyone was shocked when she revealed that Bruce and Kitty weren’t her parents and Lydia looked at Jacob and he nodded, “I wish to look into their death. If I may. Find out who your parents were and your past. If you don’t mind me prying into your life.”
She nodded, “I would appreciate that. Thank you very much Jacob.”
He smiled at her and she kept on with her tale and finished with her being stolen in the night by Burk.
Everyone listened with rapt fascination and she sat back, and Rhia touched her hand softly, “I am so sorry you had to go through that. I cannot even imagine it.”
Persephone felt her face heat, “I just did what I had to. For a long time, I did not know that children did not grow up the way I did. It was normal for me. Something I just lived with. Until I came here and saw that life was not that way. When I found Brooks, I did not know what love was. And I did not know what affection was until I met Eden, Lily and Rose. I did not have it growing up. So, being here and being alive and finding that the only person who tried to protect me in that hell is alive, I can only be grateful that I am here. With the man I love and with the people who are my family.”
Lydia let out a soft cry into her napkin and Rhia wiped hers with a handkerchief Aidan had given her.
Anneliese was much like Lydia and Brooks pulled her into his side and kissed her temple.
He whispered into her ear, “You are safe here and by my side.”
She nodded and then Brooks took up the tale and told them about after she came back, knowing he left out their claiming.
Then telling them about the fight and Bruce. There were more gasps and shock on the faces of those at the breakfast table.
“What happened to Bruce?” Aidan asked and Brooks said, “He got away. Ran with the crowd and disappeared. I did not want to go after them at their house, I just wanted to protect her. That is all I cared about.”
Aidan nodded, “I would feel and do the same.”
Brooks tilted his head at him and then finished their tale and told them about finding Rose.
