Rich Oaks
Sitting in my bedroom, tears are streaming down my face, the sense of betrayal weighing heavily on my chest. My mom, Elena, sits next to me, her presence a small comfort in the whirlwind of emotions I’m feeling.
‘Is it true, Mom?’ I ask, desperate for some kind of confirmation.
‘There’s no curse, Aisling,’ she says
I wipe my eyes, searching for clarity. ‘Are you sure?’
‘Completely sure. I’ve never heard such nonsense about our family before.’
‘Really?’ My voice shakes as I ask.
‘Absolutely true.’
I sigh deeply, my heart hurting. ‘But Duke believes it, Mom. He’s not the type to believe in these things. And yet he tried to have a baby with someone else. It feels so real.’
‘Did you talk to him today?’ she asks softly.
‘No. I don’t think he’ll call me.’
‘Aisling…’
‘I told him not to call me. I’m done with him, Mom. I just want out of that family.’
She pauses before speaking, ‘He actually called me.’
I look at her, confused. ‘He did? What for?’
‘I was the one who called him last night, but he was on his way back to Wesbury. He returned my call when he landed.’
‘What did you want to ask him?’
‘I needed to know everything.’
‘It doesn’t matter. I’ve already told you everything. You didn’t need him to repeat it.’
‘I wanted to hear more from him, and he told me everything.’
‘Okay,’ I say, feeling a sense of resignation.
‘I’ve forgiven him, Aisling.’
‘Mom…’ I turn to her, my eyes full of disapproval. ‘Mom!’
‘Aisling, he’s been honest about everything now.’
‘But he was caught, Mom. He didn’t come forward willingly.’
‘I understand. His mother and aunt orchestrated this whole thing, pushing him to be with another woman.’
‘And he mentioned seeing a psychic,’ I add, skeptically.
‘That psychic was likely paid off. It’s a common trick.’
‘I’m going to uncover the truth myself. I need to know if she was paid.’
‘You should,’ she agrees, not trying to dissuade me.
‘Just don’t defend him, please.’
Her concern shifts. ‘Are you still considering the IVF?’
I shake my head firmly. ‘No, I’m not.’
‘Aisling, think about it.’
‘Why should I, Mom? I don’t want a baby under these circumstances.’
‘Aisling, stop this,’ she pleads.
‘Why should I continue? He doesn’t truly believe in it. He’s just doing it to please me. He was ready to sleep with someone else, believing she could give him an heir, not me.’
‘Give him one last chance, Aisling. Try the IVF one more time,’ she says, her voice laced with hope.
‘Mom, if this cycle fails like the others, it’s exactly what they want. We’ve tried four times already. They’re waiting for another failure. Why should I put myself through that humiliation?’ My voice is heavy with the weight of our past failures.
‘You might get pregnant this time, Aisling. You’ve had a break, given your body what it needs,’ Mom tries to reason with me.
‘I’m not doing it, Mom,’ I state firmly.
She changes the subject. ‘Geneva called Anne this morning.’
‘Why?’ I’m curious about what they could have discussed.
‘It’s all coming out now.’
‘That’s interesting. Did Duke mention who the psychic is?’
‘He said she’s in Sterling.’
‘Sterling?’ I repeat, my thoughts racing.
‘Yes.’
‘Do you know when he saw her?’
‘In November.’
‘The same time he visited his grand-aunt?’
‘It seems so.’
‘That’s why he went there?’
‘Yes.’
‘I thought it was to resolve things between him and his mom.’
‘He was with his aunt, not his mom.’
‘Where was his mom?’
‘I’m not sure.’
‘I assumed she was with them.’
‘They weren’t on speaking terms then, remember?’
‘I’m not sure what to believe anymore. Should we meet this psychic?’
‘No, it’s not necessary.’
‘Mom, we need to find out if this curse is real.’
‘Aisling, there is no curse in our family.’
‘How can you be so sure?’
‘Because no one has ever mentioned such a thing before.’
I jump up from the bed, my frustration boiling over. ‘Exactly! No one mentioned it, so maybe you just didn’t know. It’s a secret that’s been uncovered now.’
‘Aisling, there’s no curse. Why can’t you just believe me?’
‘Mom, your sister couldn’t have kids. She had to adopt. What if they’re right? If we find out more, maybe we can break this curse.’
‘Geneva isn’t barren! She just had issues because she married late. That’s why she adopted,’ Mom snaps back.
Her outburst stops me cold. ‘Why are you yelling? I still need to see this psychic.’
‘It’s a waste of time.’
‘But I need answers, Mom. I need to understand this. If it’s true, then I have to let Duke go. He should marry someone who can give him an heir.’
‘Don’t say that, Aisling.’
‘I can’t stay with him if this is true. It’ll be easier to separate if we find out for sure. I need to see this psychic.’
‘If that’s what you want…’ she finally concedes.
I walk towards the door, then pause, turning back to her. ‘Mom, can I ask you something?’
‘Of course.’
‘Why is being a woman so hard? Why?’
‘So, I talked to Sally. I’m meeting with Nora tomorrow. She’s organizing a family meeting next week. Anne and her aunt will be there to spill everything about this curse,’ my aunt updates me via video call.
She’s determined, set on unraveling the truth.
‘I won’t be there,’ I say, my decision firm.
‘Why not?’
‘Aunt, I can’t face his aunt or the matriarch. I can’t bear to see any of them right now.’
‘I get it, but it’s crucial to…’
‘I just can’t, Aunt.’
‘How did the matriarch even get involved in such a scheme?’ Geneva’s confusion mirrors my own.
‘You can’t trust them, Aunt. I thought I knew them, but I was wrong.’
‘We all thought the matriarch was on your side. She wanted to abolish that outdated law, didn’t she? What changed?’
‘Nothing makes sense anymore.’
‘Maybe she let it happen because she didn’t want Duke to leave his position?’
‘I don’t have the answers, Aunt.’
‘We’ll uncover the truth, Aisling. I won’t let this go.’
‘I appreciate it, Aunt.’
‘When are you coming back?’
‘Tomorrow.’
‘Where will you stay?’
‘Not at the Chateau, that’s for sure.’
‘You’re always welcome at my place.’
‘Thanks, Aunt. But I’ve decided to stay with a friend in Montecito.’
‘If that’s where you’ll be comfortable.’
