6.36 Confrontation

Daphne was huddled in the corner and asked, “Why do you hate me so much. I never did anything to you?” 

James crouched down and replied, “I’d watched you for weeks looking beautiful, I was captivated by you and just as I was going to ask you out, you picked my brother. I’ll admit I never thought it would get as far as it did but the thought of my brother’s hands all over you sickened me to the core. You were supposed to be with me not him.” Daphne was terrified and asked carefully, “You were jealous of Lawrence? I never knew you or of your existence…”

“We could have been something great you and I. Lawrence never could treat you like I could…”

Daphne spoke firmly as the anger within her built, “Lawrence was a gentleman with love in his soul and I betrayed him thinking he could turn on me I am guilty of that but you…you have a twisted sense of jealousy and became violent with me in order to get back at your brother. You should have embraced our happiness not destroyed it.”

“Silence whore. You promise to share my bed and I will let you live.” Daphne responded almost in a whisper, “I will not share your bed because I don’t love you. Lawrence is my love.” 

James grabbed her by the throat and said harshly, “You refuse my offer?”

The boys were running towards the estate with Lawrence following them. When the estate came into view Estevan said, “Where would he take her?” Lawrence with sadness in his voice replied, “I don’t know.” Blair hissed at him, “You must have an idea?”

“Try his room, turn left after entering the house then when you get to the end of the corridor turn left again and carry straight on.” 

When they entered the house they could all hear the shouting and Daphne pleading to be let go. Estevan had never heard his Mum like this and he couldn’t bear to think of what was happening to her. They heard the door open and close and then heard David’s voice.

“Let her go.” James turned around throwing Daphne like a rag doll and made his way towards David. “Who are you and how did you get in?” 

David didn’t move as he stared at James, “I’m Daphne’s husband and you left the door open…” James looked shocked, “You married that whore and you a human, how laughable.” 

David went to walk past but James blocked his way, “Where are you going?” David kept eye contact with James and replied firmly, “Going to see my wife.” James stood aside to let David pass but he wasn’t going to give the couple long.

Daphne cried out, “David, why are you doing this. He will kill you.” as David embraced her, he replied softly, “I’m putting things right. I treated you and Katherine so terrible. I can’t make things right with her but I can with you…”

“I love you but this is suicide.” 

David kissed her and sweetly replied, “I know but it’s better to die like this than spend weeks in pain.” Daphne hugged David tighter, “I will never stop loving you and I don’t regret you being Estevan’s father. You too are very alike. I love you.”

“I love you too.”

James clapped his hands and said harshly, “Very touching but the time has come to part ways.” 

Suddenly the door flew open and in walked Lawrence with Estevan and Blair.  James sarcastically said looking at his brother, “Brother you have brought visitors…” Lawrence glanced at Daphne and David then back to his brother and harshly replied, “They aren’t visiting and I told you leave Daphne alone.”

“Still defending the whore, I see.” 

Lawrence flew at James and yelled, “She is not a whore.” 

James over powered him and had Lawrence by the throat, “See I’m stronger than you now. Killing you will be so easy but I’ll let you watch while I kill her first. Oh that reminds me, where is my daughter?” Lawrence wouldn’t answer James and for a moment they just stared at each other.

“Answer me!” Lawrence refused to say anything and when James knew he would get nothing from his brother he let him go. 

Blair saw the opportunity to knock James to the ground and started to punch him over and over. Estevan went to his parents and asked if they were ok. David nodded and so did Daphne. Estevan helped his Mum up and when she saw Lawrence lying on the floor hurt, her first instinct was to run to him but she felt she had to stay with David. 

As they looked at one another Estevan saw the genuine love they shared. He looked at his Dad and asked, “You ok?” David nodded with a smile then said to his wife, “We can’t leave him in pain.” Estevan looked at his parents and said, “While Blair is keeping James busy, I will help Lawrence. Personally I’d like to see him die but I won’t, well not today anyway,” Daphne looked horrified at Estevan’s statement.

Blair was still fighting with James when he saw David taking Daphne towards the door. Rage was now at its peak at the thought of her escaping; James pushed Blair off him just long enough to run towards David and Daphne. Blair flew at James but as he got closer he noticed James had a knife. 

Blair shouted but it was too late as he watched his Dad stumble to the ground clutching his chest. Lawrence tried to push James off David but James without even looking knocked his brother backwards. Daphne knelt by David’s side screaming, “Why do this to him. What did he do to you?” James had a cold smirk on his face, “He is with you.” 

Estevan was angry and shoved James and was relentless by causing pain. He punched, kicked and wouldn’t stop. Blair didn’t even try to pull Estevan off James as he knelt by his father’s side. “Dad, let me help you?” David gasping for breath said, “I told you before, I’m content with how my life has turned out. Harmony gave me the gift of life and my only intention was to put things right.” Daphne through her tears said, “David please listen to your son.” David tried to look her in the eye but couldn’t as he replied, “Daphne my time has passed. Blair, help your brother before he hurts himself.”

 Lawrence knelt down and said, “Is there anything I can do?” Daphne wouldn’t look at him but David said, “No but thank you. Just do yourself a favour and put things right especially with your niece and tell her the truth.”

“I hope she listens to me.” David smiled without saying anything.

Lawrence went back to the doorway and said, “Now James you will pay,” then shut the door behind him.

Estevan had James by his throat, “My mother is no whore so why wreck her life?” James laughed as he egged Estevan on, “To see that body of hers why else.” Estevan threw him across the room. 

Blair got to James first and while he held him against the wall Estevan coldly said, “My mother is no whore and she would never go for you.”

“If the whore re-bonds with Lawrence this is the face you’ll see for eternity, my boy.” Blair spat back, “If our mother chooses to bond with Lawrence it won’t be your face we will see.”

“Go on kill me now but are you really sure you won’t see me?” Estevan looked at Blair and said, “He wants a quick death, let’s make it a long and painful one.” Blair replied through his thoughts, ‘Dad is dying so as much as he deserves a very painful death. Just make it painful and quick, will you?’

‘Fine but what about Torri?’

‘We will tell her the truth but let’s get this over with.’

‘Very well.’ Estevan grabbed James from Blair and sunk his fangs in deeply then pulled them out slowly and then pushed harder back into the skin and listened while James screamed out in pain.

Daphne was still holding David with tears running down her face. Lawrence looked at David as he watched the life drain from him and when the boys came from the room he saw their faces. 

They both knelt by him and heard a faint whisper, “Boys remember your promise,” they nodded as tears started to come from their faces and then David said with his last breath, “Daphne I lo…” he never got to finish his sentence as his eyes finally closed. 

6.35 Worried

David was working on the car with his sons, “Dad why do we have to work on this again, I mean we finished it years ago?” 

David looked at Estevan and shook his head, “This is  a new car to work on plus this is father and sons time so stop your belly aching and appreciate the time we are spending together.” 

Estevan hated being told off and stared at Blair who was busy helping his Dad staying very quiet. 

Suddenly David fell to the floor in pain and both Blair and Estevan went to him. “Dad what is wrong?” David looked at Blair and said, “It’s nothing,” Blair knew he was lying and said, “Don’t start with the lies again Dad.” 

David finally able to sit up replied, “Boys my illness is back.” Estevan was the first to say, “Dad we will change you so you will live.” David smiled at his son, “Estevan that is a very sweet gesture but I have to decline the offer.” They both asked in unison, “Why?” David looked at them both with a smile, “You are the best things I ever did but you have to understand I like being human. I had the privilege of falling in love twice and even though I can’t say I treated them right, it didn’t mean I loved either of your mothers any less. Estevan with your mother I have made things right and you must promise me you will not stand in the way of her happiness, do you understand?” 

Estevan nodded a yes and watched as David got up of the floor. Blair intrigued asked, “Mum loves you and you make her happy.” David still keeping a smile on his face replied, “We do love each other but before any of us was born there was another man who was her true love and by that I mean they bonded. Your mother broke the bond believing she was doing it for the right reasons but I have since learnt she made a mistake and your Mum has yet to discover this for herself.”

Estevan was not sure how to take the news and asked, “Dad his name?” David looked at Estevan and said, “It’s not my place to say but just remember you promised to not stand in her way and that goes for both of you,” as David then glanced at Blair.

“Fine I promise.” 

Estevan looked at his brother, “Blair!”

“You never argue with Dad, now promise.” Estevan glared at his father and grunted, “Fine I promise.”

“Thank you boys and I’m very proud of you both.” 

Estevan clutched his stomach and fell to the floor and said with pain, “Mum is in trouble.” Blair knelt down next to Estevan, “Where is Mum?”

“Monte Vista but a man has her.” Blair asked, “Is it Lawrence?” Estevan shook his head, “I’ve never seen this man before.” 

Once Estevan had gotten up David said, “Did the man have long blonde hair, blue eyes and was he good looking but with an evil look?” They both stared at their father and Estevan asked, “How did you know?” David looked at the floor, “The man I was talking about earlier, your Mum’s true love. I know this may come as a shock but it was Lawrence.”

He heard an echo, “What!”

“I went to see him the other day; your Mum was pissed at me when I told her anyway he had a picture on the wall of when they were dating.”

Estevan harshly said, “So” David yelled, “Will you let me finish,” as they stayed quiet he said, “Thank you. Lawrence looked very different in the picture and when I asked he said part of a bond break is a deterioration of the looks. He said he had a twin James who is Torri’s Dad and by the sounds he has got your mother but if what Lawrence told me is true he is evil and you won’t have much time.”

Blair and Estevan didn’t waste any time getting to Monte Vista and went straight to Lawrence’s home. When they burst in they saw woman entertaining but when two women spotted Blair they quickly went over to him, “Are you home to stay?” 

Blair looked at them and smiled, “I’m here on business so tell us where we can find Lawrence.” They smiled and the one said, “If you change your mind, my room is on the top floor to the left.” She heard a cough from behind her and Estevan said, “He is a married man now, where is Lawrence?”

“He is upstairs in his room.”

“Thank you.” As they both walked away they heard, “Properly reading his book again.” 

Estevan didn’t even bother to knock as he barged in. Lawrence was just sitting there looking at the flames. “Go away.” 

Estevan picked him up and said harshly, “I know about you and my Mum so start talking.” 

He let Lawrence down and Blair intervened, “We haven’t got time for this crap bro. Now calm down.” Estevan stepped back and Blair asked Lawrence “Is your brother still alive?”

Lawrence looked at the floor and quietly said, “Yes but he’s in banishment.” 

Estevan spat back, “Really then why did I get a panicked message from my Mum asking for help. Dad asked if I saw the man who took her and when I described him he said it matched the man in a picture he’d seen.” 

Lawrence fell to the floor and said, “I told Draco that Torri couldn’t stay more than two days but did they listen no and now he’s used Torri’s powers to free himself from the estate.” 

Estevan grabbed him from the floor and yelled, “Where is my mother?”

“I don’t know, I swear to you but he could have taken her back to the estate. Estevan I love your mother just find her before he kills her.” Estevan wasn’t amused at the remark and harshly asked, “Why would he kill her?”

“He was jealous that we were happy and listened to Elvira’s bullshit. He hit her and always swore when he got the chance he’d kill her.” 

Estevan put him down and said begrudgingly, “You’ll have to come with us to show us the way but do Not interfere with what must be done.”

“After what James has done, you do what you have too, just save Daphne.”

6.33 James

James lay on the bed looking at the ceiling feeling very frustrated, “I need to get out this house but how?

Lawrence is taking too long to become weaker. If only I could use my daughter’s powers but no Lawrence had to send her away, damn him.” He had kept his looks and watched his younger brother Lawrence deteriorate bit by bit, not able to control his personality, missing his ex-fiancée and all the time he knew Lawrence was innocent.

James heard the key in the lock when Lawrence walked in, “You asked to see me, James?” Staring at his brother James said, “Where is my little girl?”

“None of your business.” 

James pushed him and firmly replied, “I’m bonded with my little girl so hand her over to me or I swear when I find a way out of this dump and the whore will pay.” 

Lawrence flew at him and said as he had his hands around his throat, “Leave her out of this, Daphne is long gone from my life…”

“But you would take the whore back in a heartbeat?” 

Lawrence fell to the floor and softly said, “You still don’t understand I love her and always will and for last time Daphne is no whore.” James scoffed at his remark, “Elvira told me all about Daphne’s infidelities. How your fiancée would make love to other men while you were playing the gentleman and how she desperately wanted the families’ money so that is why she accepted your proposal of marriage.” 

Lawrence suddenly punched him and yelled, “It’s lies, do you hear me and I know that because my DEAR brother I was her first time. I bet the story Elvira spun you was about her conquests and wants, the only difference being is she replaced her name with Daphne’s. Let’s be honest you were jealous because I was happy and you had no-one.”

Daphne was still yelling at David, “Do you have any idea what that man did to me?” David tried to speak to his wife calmly, “Listen to me please. I think he is telling the truth…” Daphne was still angry, “Why did you see him?”  

David held her close and said softly, “My illness has come back so I don’t have long left. I want you to be happy. You could see the real pain in his eyes when he found out we had Estevan.” Daphne broke down and said through her tears, “I loved him so much but when he hit me…I can never forgive that.”

“I know you wished he was Estevan’s father…” Daphne looked horrified at David, “You read that entry? David I was hurt that you went back to Katherine when I really needed you but I never meant it.” 

David kissed her forehead and said, “You did Daphne, we both know that but I don’t blame you, with Lawrence you could have been really happy and properly had even more children.” She wiped away the tears and said, “David as much as I love you both, Lawrence lied to you about being a twin. He does have a brother but he isn’t a twin…”

David asked her, “Did you ever meet the brother then?” Daphne looked away, “I asked Lawrence once but he refused to introduce me to him. I stupidly put it down to the fact that Elvira told me that James tried it on with all woman and Lawrence was trying to protect me.” 

David shook his head and replied, “My poor Daphne, Elvira lied to you and Lawrence yes, I believe he was protecting you from James but for different reasons. The only way you can get real closure is ask Torri.”

“Why ask her?”

“Daphne, she is Lawrence’s niece and she would know if they were twins and let’s face it she has no reason to lie to you.” Daphne rolled her eyes at David, “Fine I’ll ask her but she will only confirm what I already know and that is Lawrence is not a twin and he played you.”

“And if I’m right?” Daphne looked out the window and replied, “Well you are wrong so can we drop the subject?”

Torri didn’t like being cooped up in the house so Draco finished off his coursework and took her to explore the town. As they explored the shops and streets Torri said, “This is where my family comes from.” Draco was shocked and asked, “How long have your family lived here?”

“Both my parents grew up here. My Dad’s family were wealthy and once ran the town.” Draco stopped and looked at Torri, “What happened?” Torri shrugged her shoulders and replied, “All I was told was that Elvira had something to do with the families’ downfall but no one would elaborate any further.” Draco pressed for more information, “Do you have any money or know where the family home was?” 

Torri glanced at the floor but Draco lifted her chin and added softly, “You know the money I have no interest in, right?”

“I know and no I have no money because the family is broke, well that’s what Uncle Lawrence told me but I did find out where the old estate was, do you want to see it?” Draco smiled as they made their way to the old family estate.

Lawrence was still guarding the door and said, “I’m leaving now James…”

“I don’t know why you bother to visit. I know you hate me.” Lawrence just glared at his brother with contempt, “There is a small part of me that still loves you, despite what you have done. I really visit in the hope that one day you might want to tell Daphne the truth and admit what happened the night Emma died.” 

James snapped at Lawrence, “Fine, I killed my wife because she gave herself to other men instead of dealing with my wants and needs. I just hope Torri isn’t like her mother, a whore.” 

Lawrence punched him and harshly said, “Torri is a better person than you will ever know. I’m just sorry I’ve had to keep her away because she needs family but if she hates me then she will always be safe from you.”

Suddenly James could hear laughter in his head and as he listened closely he realised it was his daughter’s voice. “My daughter has come home…with her powers I can escape banishment.” When he turned around Lawrence was gone and said to himself, ‘Go on try and save my daughter but Torri will always take my side.’

Lawrence stood at the entrance of the estate and watched Draco and Torri approach him and wondered whether he should tell Torri the truth?