"So that's what happened." He felt tortured, his template pounding like a blacksmith on a sword. "Gyah!" He groaned, hitting his forehead. "God, Isobel.” He fretted.

“What? What is it, William?” Confused, she rubbed his shoulders but he nudged her hands away.

“Go get me something for my head." He ordered and she nodded.

She gulped, throwing a hat over her head and rushing down the stairs, wondering why she was even in the house. So caught up in her world made her clashed with Lily who had been taking up the washing that morning. Her heart dropped and so did her head, she stammered as she said. “O-out of my way, will you?”

Lily steadied her stance. “Isobel.”

Isobel stopped, holding unto the stair rail. Lily flipped off her hat and stuffed it between the clothes before saying. “Why wear a hat in the house? It’s a disrespectful act.” She shrugged at the sight of her badly bruised eye before turning her head straight and saying. “And congratulations on your engagement.”

In turn, Isobel fixed her robe before turning her head straight and saying~ “Thank you.” before prancing down as if she had no worries but as soon as she slipped around the corner, she gave a distressing howl, falling into the kitchen floor.

Just two friends, skipping along the pathway of life as they grow older. That path gradually splits into two and they each pick one path away from the other. The friends gave up that synchronizing hand-in-hand strut. Didn't expect any different when it came to Lily Fisher and Isobel Stalker, they are like a fish and a dog anyway. Their smiles fainted to frowns when the time came to pick their own way. Surely, through the bushes and trees, they could not see how unhappy it made each one be without the other. A bond stronger than that of a sister's, how did it manage to break so easily? Was it not strong enough? Was the lust of a flower enough to untie an invisible string that was deemed invincible? Collided hearts that are drawn apart make way for collateral consequences that always lead to a reputed karma. Will they both pay the price? Both of their agonizing hearts never thought of such defiance from being too naive, in their own ways.

From the top of the stair, Lily could hear the sobs of the unhappy. She pitied Isobel for she did not heed her words and she didn’t know what the family had in mind for her. She shook the thought from her head and attempted to move when the voice behind her caused her to stop.

“Lily, come here for a minute.” He said.

She dropped the basket to the floor and turned back to William Beckingham's room.

“What do you want, William?” She dreaded every time she had to say his name. Who would want to look up to such a low and dirty man like him?

“I’d like to talk to you.” He gestured for her to have a seat on the bed and she did but to her relief, William had already gotten up and he was undressing.

He started with. “ I overheard your conversation with my fiancée.”

Lily had it in her head that he was possessive, traits she couldn't see before. She answered. “Yes? Is there… a problem?”

“I wonder.” He started. He chuckled to himself before continuing. “I wonder… Do you approve of my engagement to Isobel?”

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Not in the slightest… but could she say that, oh no, of course not.

“Your engagement to Isobel is none of my business, Mr. William.”

“I see.” William was a man of his own demands, anything he wanted, he took. If money couldn’t buy it, then it would be by force.

He draped a towel around himself and then made way for her. He stretched his hand out to her, Lily’s heart it was pounding, she didn't know how twisted she was or what he'd do to her if she refused him. She already saw what he did to Isobel but she was braver than that. She looked at his hand and then up at him. “Well then.” He laughed. “Take it.”

“I will not!” She exclaimed.

“Oh, you will, Lily Fisher.” His voice came in higher than hers as she grabbed her legs and split them. “You will and I’ll enjoy it.” She gulped, glaring into his eyes as he was now straight in front of her, stooping. but she refused to submit to his cowardly request. "I understand you and Isobel have an understanding, but I refuse to tolerate any defiance against my virtue."

The sound of the car’s engine saved Lily from doing something she’d regret. All William could do was scoff.

“I’ll let you leave for now, Love.” He flipped his fingers up from her chin and got up, stretching as he wandered into the bathroom and closed the door with a despicable grin. She swallowed up the spit that stopped her from talking, then bit the back of her knuckles before saying. “Oh, dear God.” And heading out into the hall. She quickly picked up the basket and headed for her Jodi Beckingham's chambers, steadying her trembling fingers.

“Mother, you’re back.” Isobel exchanged a hug and then a kiss with the tramp. They held each other, arm in arm, and headed for the kitchen so Jodi could get some water..

“Oh, yes, and I found the perfect color for your dress.” She smiled.

“Really?” She asked confused, she lifted her head before saying. “I thought it would be white. Always pictured it that way.”

“White? No, darling. White is for the pure ones.” She explained with a grin. “It’ll be sky blue… Isn’t that lovely?”

“Lovely, it is…. Mother.” She said. Mrs. Beckingham did anything in her power to belittle poor Isobel; it seemed like everyone in the house was against her and would do anything to get her out, even William.

"Speaking of blues, what happened to your eye?" She grinned.

"Walked into a door." She chuckled nervously. "But don't worry, I'm going to stop drinking soon."

“Speaking of your bad decisions, there is something we must discuss.” She rubbed Isobel’s hand as if to assure her, and her face seemed a bit more serious as she looked down at the hardwood floors they passed. “Why don’t we have a seat in the study first?”

“Yes, yes.” She nodded to fulfill his mother’s demands.

In the study, Isobel was seated Jodi poured a glass of wine and then joined her. “Well, you see…” She sipped the red liquid, making sure to take note of her daughter-in-law’s face every moment. “It’s about, Lily, our maid.”

“Lily?” She sat up, worried, tilting her head.

“Mrs. Beckingham.” Speak of the devil, Lily stood at the door, all dressed to go. “I’ve done the washing and dinner, and I cleaned out the attic as you’ve asked. I’m heading home now, is there anything else you need?”

“Uh…” She gave a slight smile but that of annoyance. “No.” She chuckled. “I’ll be seeing you, Ms. Fisher.” Lily gave no wave nor greeting to Isobel, it was as if she didn’t exist in her mind.

“So you said it was about Lily?” She reminded.

“Oh, yes” She swung one of her legs over the other and say before taking another sip. “She won’t be with us anymore.”

“I beg your pardon, ma’am.” Isobel’s eyes pranced from the door where Lily was then back to the tramp. “What do you mean?”

“Next month, just after your wedding.” Jodi peeped at her with a whisper. "You'll be taking over her duties as the wife of the house."