Chapter 93: Chapter 93

Chapter 91: The plan

"Austin..."

"Henry..."

With a few meters between them. The two brothers stared at each other with unsaid words of regret, guilt and shame. They had not talked, a good morrow, good evening, pass me the salt, have you seen mother? Is Merri here? did not count as proper conversing.

"So much has been happening..." Henry added, scratching the back of his head.

"See, Henry consider yourself very lucky. If I had not met Merri, if I had not fathered my kids, if I did not have any reason to want to be better. I would have kicked you in the nuts and aimed for your a good hit then told you to return to your ratchet wife."

"Fair enough!" Henry let out a nervous laugh. Austin stared at him with distaste. He could not hide the bitter feelings he had grown for his brother over the years. This was the same man who had called the authorities on him over his innocent wife. Accused a much younger Austin of raping her. So many nauseating accusations made by his brother. One who ought to protect him and look out for him but instead he chose his wife.

"It really took you Stella leaving to see her for who she really is huh?"

"I'm not here to cause a ruckus."

"Fair enough!" Austin mocked his brother's earlier comment. Henry then proceeded to share the patio swing with Austin. It was dark but there was a lamp on each corner; the silence was mesmerizing. Crickets echoing from all corners as if coming together to create a melody for Mother Nature after dark.

"I can not take away the hurtful words, I've told you over the years. The accusations—"

"Yes, you can. You can take them back right now in this very moment but you know what?"

"What is it?"

"I've already forgiven you, Henry."

"Really?"

Austin gave him a sarcastic smile. Proceeding to give his brother a pat on the back. "Ofcourse, because you're a miserable miserable nearly middle aged man with all his life accomplishments stripped away from him. Residing with his narrow minded father and graceful mother who fight on a daily basis. Then his rapist brother who made black woman pregnant. Oh goodness not to add onto the fact that you have no offspring. It would be entirely selfish of me to add onto that load. You're already hell mate, I sympathize with that." With a chuckle, Austin smirked. "I'd be lying if I said I was not enjoying your fall from Grace. Oh how boastful you used to be kicking me out of your home by my collar with the bony blonde you called wife. Those were the good ol'days!"

Laughing along, a tad bit hurt but still finding humor in it. Henry mustered a grim look. "You're a sadistic retard, you know that?"

"Merrigold tells me everyday!"

"I have no idea where to begin—"

"How about from the start?" Austin muttered.

"How does one tolerate you for this long? I certainly can not..." with a smile. "Allow me to apologize Lionel."

"Lionel is my son now."

"Noted, what would you like to be called from this day onwards?" Henry added a little annoyed. This had always been Austin. He had a way of changing everything to his liking. Taking over the show for his own amusement.

"Your highness, wouldn't be such a bad idea."

Henry shook from laughter. "Oh you with your many banters!"

Austin blinked in all seriousness.

Henry realized he was serious.

"You're a little too old for this... do you think not?"

Austin grinned. "No no no, you're old. Turning bald, I'm have a head full of hair and a manhood that still works without limping."

"Can you not! Can you not make everything sexual."

"Did you know that... victims of sexual abuse at an early tend to be hyper sexual. Saw that debate in the paper the other day. Guess there's a reason why all I blabber about us sex huh? Bet you had no knowledge of that."

Henry sighed. "I'm pretty sure they meant girls."

"Boys get molested too.!"

"Oh really? really Austin because you clearly wanted it if your manhood was up and standing ready to work on my wife. If you could reach a climax enough to create a child that you both abandoned and hid. Simply shameful!"

Laughing bitterly, Austin looked away. "You're not sorry.." He whispered under his breath.

"I am sorry for believing my wife was innocent but I refuse to believe she forced you. No she did not, if you could fully participate and engage in infidelity then do not sit here and play victim." Henry added. "Yourself and Stella if anything. You owe me an apology for deceiving me."

"An apology? Are you mental? I tried to warn you many times. You do not understand at all. You're not sorry! If Stella returns I know you will tuck your tail in between your legs and run along to take her orders."

Henry was infuriated. "You deserved it then! Stop acting as if you're a victim and take fault to bedding a married woman."

Hurt, Austin only mumbled a single word. Sounded almost like a gasp. "What?"

Merri had not meant to eavesdrop but she had. After coming out to inform Austin the twins were fast asleep and they could finally rest. She found the brothers talking. They had an odd manner of conversing. She could not tell if they were making a banter or being entirely serious. The tone of Henry maddened, Merri so much that she stepped out of her corner. Approaching them, venomously ready to strike for Henry. She felt nothing but disgust and pity for him. She thought about everything she had been through with Austin. She blamed it on him. Henry not acknowledging his wife's horrid actions and being boastful enough to ask Austin to apologize rubbed Merri the wrong way.

"JUST WHO DO YOU THINK YOU'RE HENRY?" She yelled, pointing at him with anger. It took everything in her not to strike him straight across the face having much needed experience in that with Austin. Henry opened his eyes a little surprised. Austin was just as surprised, Merri only ever spoke venomously at Austin and no other person. Only because Austin just always knew how to push the right buttons.

"You're disgusting Henry—"

"Merri—" Austin intervened.

"Be quiet, Austin!" She gave him the hand. "How can you as old as you're sit here and claim Austin wanted to be molested? He was a child. What does a thirteen year old know about sex? Your wife is a molester. Yes, yes yes I now believe women can be rapists too. Your wife is a shameless strumpet who gets off being with little boys. Does any of that sound normal to you? Does it? If a grown woman of my age was to start touching up your boys. You'd definitely be up and ready to scold them right because it's their fault? They know what they're doing?" Pausing for a bit. "Do you have any idea the amount of people that have been hurt by Austin? Including me. Are you aware that Austin only raped me after coming into contact with your ratchet wife. You're always wondering why he is the way he is when you practically condone everything your wife did to him. You ruined him for everyone. You and your wife are horrible people. Austin could have grown to be a respectable lad who respects women and so much more but your wife had to string him along and groom him with false hopes. Personally if a woman of your stature started touching my boys, I'd strike them with a spade to the head and chop off those fingers that infiltrate little boys private parts. You need help, so does your wife. You're deranged. I'm disgusted, I hope Austin never forgives you. You said he deserved it? Which child would enjoy being with an older woman? Girls his age were probably still flat chested, but because he is male he is allowed to start experimenting with older women early. You're an ignorant Buffon. I do not want you near my sons either because if you could condone your wife's behavior then surely you think it's right to touch kids inappropriately."

Out of breath, Merri felt much better. Henry hung his head low, clearing his throat. Without waiting for anymore time, Merri grabbed Austin's hand pushing them to leave the scene into the house, up the stairs, turns and corners. Waiting until they had reached the room they now shared together. Closing the door shut behind her, a scrawl visible on her face. "You better not forgive him after that!"

Austin was in awe. How was he not upset or nearly as bothered as she was?

Without saying a word, she turned soft. Approaching him, she wrapped her arms around his neck. "Are you alright?"

Austin nodded only nodded returning the gesture by wrapping his arms around her waist. "What's the matter?" She asked. "He is an idiot, you've lived long enough without him. You do not need him in your life. He has done enough damage by ever introducing you to that gigolo."

"I—" Austin did not know how to express his thoughts. "I'm not accustomed to having anyone speak out for me. I'm used to being alone and on my own. I'm used to make a joke about everything even if it upsets me. I never confront an issue. I'm used to being the one that's always wrong—" looking at her adoringly, he smiled. "I've never had someone get angry on my behalf or fight for me. Do you have any idea how good it feels to have someone believe in you so much they stand up for you? I'm tired, I got tired of trying to defend myself. For the first time... I didn't have to. You were there for me."

"I will always be here." She grinned, giving him a peck on his lips. This reminded him of the conversation he had with William earlier.

"Merrigold?"

"Yes?"

"Do you love me or this is your only option to being closer to the kids and so on because trust me... you do not have to be with me to be with our kids. You do not have to because regardless my mother and I will always be here for you. Even if Thomas is the one you want to be with. I do not want to hold you back or make you feel as though this is your only option. You have many options and I will happily grant them to you. I know you never wanted the kids, I could take responsibility... my mom is here. All I ask is you atleast come and feed them once in a while. I—"

Merrigold was surprised, she thought of everything he had mentioned. He was right but the truth remained there was no place she'd rather be but here in his arms.

"I'm happy, here with you. Knowing me, be it you had given me options or not. If I did not want to be here. I would have left. You know that..."

"I know, you're stubborn." Austin added, with a sigh of relief. Merri stared at him in awe. The way he looked at her, made her want to heal faster so she could properly enjoy the joys of being inlove and loved.

"I love you Austin, I'm here because I want to. I wouldn't have hesitate going back to my old life if I really wanted to. You've done horrid things, but I'm here to watch you get better. To watch you be the man, I deserve."

"I'm trying..."

"I know you're!" She whispered softly. Hugging him tight. His embrace was warm and rigid. She felt protected and loved. He radiates warmth that made her second guess if it was physical or emotional attachment.

"I'm building a house..."

Pulling back Merri stared at him in disbelief. "In six months it should be done. I haven't informed anyone except William. It will be a new start for us, far away from everyone. You mom could reside with us, but for now she will stay with William. Walter isn't happy."

Speechless, Merri wanted to cry.

"Everything will be alright, love. I will buy your freedom somehow..."

"You keep doing so much for me. It was my mother now this—"

"I love you, I want you to be happy. You make me happy, I want to return the gesture."

"You return the gesture every single day by being a changed considerate person." She told him, without a doubt in their minds. They smiled against their kiss. In that moment Austin wanted to go down on one knee and marry her but he convinced himself that he had to wait until Walter had no upper hand. They would leave this dump. He had noted every single thing Merrigold loved about the Cunningham mansion. The butterfly staircase and so on. He wanted to build a life for them far off from politics and prejudice. This woman had given him the joy of being a father, something he never knew. A feeling of despair snuck in, he needed to tell Merrigold about his child with Stella. He did not want to keep any secrets from her. Evermore, he wanted to know the little girl. It would never be her fault, guilt would always settle within know him knowing this was as a result of the past he so badly wanted to forget.

—

Hey guys, I'm so overwhelmed. I read each and every paragraph (from the comments and messages). I feel so blessed to have you all rooting for me. Thank you for giving me assurance as well as ethical points that made me see a different side of the whole situation. I will finish it, the way I planned to from the beginning. And yes, I can't please everyone but when you keep seeing the same comments about 'as someone who was raped, I'd never. this is unrealistic.' Someone messaged me a whole paragraph about how rape is not bdsm and I should educate myself. Messages like 'hey I don't mean to pry, you're a good writer but I think you should edit some parts out bec rape is not nice. thanks but I won't finish.'

Anyways I'm sorry to everyone who feels this way and someone (@imajinme) made great points about how if a story like this triggers you and you have a similar history. Consider seeing someone and healing. It's true, if you're triggered by this it must mean you have wounds that you're avoiding. It's okay to seek therapy and talk to someone. I'm really sorry. No on deserves that.

I'm so sorry, I couldn't reply to everyone. Every time I feel horrible I will definitely go back to that `chapter`` and reading assuring positive words. Anyways, 12 more `chapter``s then it's done.

Stay safe x