FanStory.com - The Unwilling Heir - Chap 24by Begin Again

ENDING CHAPTER 23

Benny sighed and continued, "Unfortunately, Theo — the mansion's gardener — overheard our conversation and decided he wanted the money. He threatened me, and we got into a huge brawl. He came after me with a large knife he used in the garden." Bennie sighed, "We struggled, and I got the upper hand, plunging the knife into his gut. End of story."

"That can't be all that's to it, Benny. You didn't just murder people and then end up here in purgatory."

"Humph! Got that investigative reporter brain of yours going, huh?" Benny smiled. "You're right. I was a modern-day Robin Hood, so to speak. Whenever money crossed my palm, it ended up in the church basket on Sunday. The Lord and I had some long talks. He must have listened when I told him I was sorry for my past because I ended up here with Ryan and the Judge with a chance for redemption."

Sandra stared into the crackling fire, mulling over Benny's story. She'd been brought here to help these lost souls and was about to turn her back on them and walk away. She'd lost the book and now the key. "Don't give up, Benny."

"Without the book or the key, we can't find the treasure. Accept the fact, Sandra, we're doomed."

"I'm not giving up. I'm going to get that key back and find the book." Without another word, she stood and left the study.

*****

CHAPTER 24

Sebastian's presence filled the dimly lit room with a celestial aura, casting a warm glow that enveloped Esther as she gazed at William. "Thank you for bringing me here," she whispered.

"I know you are what he needs, Esther," Sebastian reassured her with certainty.

"What if I hadn't come with you? What if I had made a different choice? What would have happened?" Esther's voice trembled with apprehension as she battered Sebastian with her questions.

Sebastian sighed, his gaze shifting to the unconscious man lying on the bed. "Without the will to maintain his ethereal glow, I suspect the demons would come and carry him away, and his soul would be lost forever."

Esther gasped, her eyes widening in fear. She turned her attention to William and continued questioning Sebastian, "How did you know I would come?" She paused, and her voice quivered when she spoke again, "As a mortal, I lived a life of which I couldn't be proud — bitterness and sorrow replaced the goodness I once felt."

"But your heart never faltered," Sebastian replied, his voice gentle and unwavering. "Regardless of what you say, your love for William and your son never ceased."

Her head snapped around toward Sebastian, her eyes searching his face. Her ethereal glow flickered. "But it did! I admit I lay awake nights crying and wanting to —" Her words trailed off, choked by the weight of her confession.

"Hush, Esther," Sebastian interjected, his eyes full of understanding. "Those were words of pain and anguish. You would never have caused harm to either of them. Isn't that why you submitted and let Victoria and William raise the boy? You thought you couldn't give him what he needed, regardless of how much pain it caused you."

"Yes," Esther murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "I wanted him to have so much more." She dropped her eyes, unable to look at Sebastian, her words tinged with longing, "I pray he had a wonderful life."

Sebastian touched Esther's shoulder. "I promise you that he did. William was a good father and didn't let his son forget his true mother."

Tears welled in her eyes as she murmured, "Maybe one day —"

William jerked, and a loud groan escaped his body. Esther reached for his hand and softly called his name, "William, my love, it's Esther. You must listen to me. You've always been a fighter, a strong, determined man. Don't give up now."

She leaned closer to his motionless body, brushing a stray lock of hair from his forehead. "Even when we were young, Victoria recognized your potential and what you would become. I, on the other hand, failed both of us."

She glanced toward Sebastian before she continued, "Not this time. I'm here for you, but you must hold on to the will to come back. Don't let them claim you." She bent down and whispered in his ear, "Fight, William. Come back for your son — our son." She hesitated, then added, "Come back to me. I love you. I've always loved you."

Sebastian backed away from the pair and slipped out the door. He knew Esther would remain by his side, and he had other things to attend to before reporting to the higher powers.

*****

After many hours of sitting at William's bedside, she stood and walked around the room, stopping in front of the fireplace and gazing into the flickering flames. As her thoughts wandered, she spoke to William, "For years, I rehearsed what I would say to you. I thought you would cringe as I released my pent-up rage, and I would find my revenge." She wiped a tear from her cheek.

"I — I was a fool. Victoria poisoned my mind, and I believed her when she said you deserved better." She choked back her tears. "Where did our lives go wrong? You a common criminal — one with power and prestige, maybe — but still a thief." She turned to stare at the frail, lifeless body. "Were you a murderer, too?" She shook her head, chasing the thought from her mind. "I can't envision you as either."

She shivered, unable to look at William. "I'm sorry. I have no right to accuse you of anything. When Victoria came and demanded our son, I crumbled beneath her harsh words. I let my insecurities, my weaknesses, and her venomous words drive a wedge between us. Instead of fighting for what was mine, I fell into a pit of misery and became a prostitute. It wasn't for the sex. The truth is, I wanted the pleasure of seeing marriages crumble, exacting my pain on those poor women. My only goal was to prove I could control powerful men with my body and charm. When I became ill, no one cared. I deserved what I got."

"And now, here I am, pacing around your lifeless body, talking to a man who may never hear my words. It's ironic, isn't it? In life, I couldn't find the courage to speak my heart, and now, in death, I can't seem to stop. My dearest William, can we really be forgiven for the life we led?"

The flames flickered, almost extinguishing, as a cold draft swirled around the room. Esther hurried to William's side, unaware of another presence in the room. "William, maybe it's too late for forgiveness, but if you can hear me, if there's any part of you still holding on, please know that my love for you has never died. And if by some miracle you wake, I will be here."

Victoria's shrill laughter crackled across the room. "Well, well, if it isn't poor pathetic Esther trying to redeem herself. You fool! You were never worthy of him." Her bitterness stung like pelting ice crystals against Esther's being. Brushing Esther's frail spirit aside, Victoria knelt beside the bed. "William, darling, it's me. I've come to care for you, my love. Forgive me for my impulsiveness. You know I would never harm you."

At the sound of her voice, William's body twisted, and a low moan escaped his lips. Victoria sneered at Esther. "See!" Holding his lifeless hand in hers, she laughed, "I'm what he wants and needs."

Esther cringed and stepped away, allowing Victoria to win again. But something deep inside her mind screamed for her to stop, to fight for the man she loved. Not knowing where the strength came from, she returned to his bedside. "Look at him, Victoria. Look at what you have done. How can you say that you love him? Isn't it the treasure and what you think you can gain from it that you really want?"

Furious, Victoria lashed out at Esther, flinging her spirit across the room and knocking a lamp from the table. Dark shadows and eerie voices lined the walls and ceiling, taunting the women. Esther struggled to regain her bodily form.

Seizing the upper hand, Victoria's hand twisted violently in the air, sending an entire bookcase of dusty books swirling across the room, pelting Esther over and over. Her face was contorted with hatred as she screeched, "It's your fault! He never stopped loving you. He spoke of giving it all back to the rightful owners. I tried to show him what life could be like with all those riches, but he refused to listen. Because of you, I had to stop him!"

Esther pulled herself from the floor. An uncontrollable rage replaced her fear. Her voice quivered, "Victoria — tell me — you weren't — responsible."

Hatred consumed the woman as she lunged at Esther. "We could have had it all!" Esther was prepared this time and sidestepped Victoria, letting her crash against the fireplace.

The room darkened, and a wind, similar to a cyclone, whirled around it, scattering its contents everywhere. Victoria's icy voice cracked as she threatened Esther, "You'll not have him."

Her hand clutched a brass candlestick holder, and she waved it above her head as she lunged toward Esther, howling, "He's mine!"

Esther's eyes filled with fear, yet she stood her ground, placing herself between Victoria and William's moaning body. "He'll never be yours! Bludgeon me if you must, but that won't get you his love."

The door opened, and Sebastion entered the room, his voice stern yet calm. "Leave this room and don't return, Victoria."

A strange quietness enveloped the space except for a hissing noise as Victoria disappeared in a cloud of mist. Immediately, the chaos was resolved, and the room returned to normal. Esther slumped into the chair, grasping William's hand as he mumbled, "My Love —"

A tear trickled down her face. "Oh, William, are you calling out for her?"

Esther hadn't noticed that someone else had entered the room with Sebastian. When he spoke, his voice startled her. "You're wrong. My father is speaking of you."

Esther turned toward the voice and found her staring into the eyes of a familiar face, younger but clearly related to William. "Hello, Momma." With those quiet words, he materialized into the boy she remembered.

Esther's eyes shifted from his to Sebastian and then back again. She struggled to speak, "You remember —"

His eyes were sad as he spoke, "How could I forget? That summer day when Victoria took me from you." He saw the pain and sorrow in Esther's eyes and wanted to erase all of it. "As a boy, I wasn't allowed to search for you, and when I did — you were very sick — delirious and — dying. Father and I held your hands. I always thought you knew, or at least we were in your thoughts, because you whispered Will as you took your last breath."