Chapter 43
850words
She just wanted all this to end, and irritation gnawed at her from strangers touching her skin but the alcohol allowed her find them tolerable. She felt bad for them, but hopefully, the huge amount of money paid could help their families after their demise.
The music was stopped abruptly by Moses "all of you get out now" he said, "do not make me call the police". As the men packed up and left, he carried Mary up to her bed. "does it ever end Moses" she asked sleepily, he looked down at her with pity, and his mind went back to the confession he made to her. This deal with Nightcross did not start with her, if only he knew what her parents knew it didn't stop, their daughter had to pay the price. But they thought they had beat it, finished the cycle and paid for it with their lives. He felt like Martha wasn't telling him everything but that wasn't his place to ask. He just knew he had to save her, help her. "I am so tired, so so so tired, it never stops" she muttered in her sleep. His heart clenched and he knew who he had to see. Father Alex would know what to do.
*
*
Nightfall came with a sense of deep sadness and pain for Martha, she had cried through most of the day and her mind was made up. She would not bring her child into this toxic cycle; she was going to leave. Philip would be fine, his name less tarnished. "Mary", she was jolted out of her thoughts by Philips voice, "can I come in" he asked in a pleading tone.
She gestured to him with her hands and the relief on his face was evident. He took her in his arms as he kissed her forehead rubbing her arms with his palms "I promise we would be fine Mary, we would leave for London, start a new life with our child and no harm would ever come to you, please trust me".
She gave him a small smile to make him happy bit she knew what she was going to do already and nothing could change her mind. "I have to go my love, I need to make arrangements, we would leave tomorrow, sleep, and don't think or worry about anything" he cooed while kissing her face. She nodded her head and smiled as he left the room.
Lady Winston waited outside for him, and immediately he left the door she accosted him "Philip cant you see what you are doing is wrong, this is your half-sister". Philip looked at her with disgust " I see you did not remember she was my half sister when you made her a help, treated her with hate and maltreated her or when your daughter tried to kill her, I am not leaving Mary mother, not for you and not for anyone". As he tried to walk away she dragged him back
" Philip, I am your mother, listen to me I am trying to help you", pulling his hands from her, he walked away from her "don't make me hold what you did today to heart mother, stay away from Mary and from me because you disgust me". Lady Winston broke down in tears, and for the first time Martha didn't see him being moved by his mother's tears, she had watched it all from the shadows, she knew she had to leave before morning.
The look on Philip's face when he didn't see Mary in her room the following day was one of horror, clenching his fist he walked up to court yard yelling
"Mother, Amelia, come here this instance!". A flutter of feet came running and his mother sister and an entourage of their friends came pouring out,
"where is Mary mother, what did you two do to her". Lady Winston looked surprised then pleased
"I did nothing to her but I am guessing the hag decided to leave, make sure she didn't get away with any property". Philips fist clenched in anger
"Mother if I do not find Mary, you will regret this statement, what did you say to her". She walked up to him and slapped him, "how dare you talk to me like that, you will do nothing and you will not look for her, I say good riddance to bad nonsense". Without saying a word Philip rushed inside the house.
