Stand By Me Darling
Chapter 304: You Are My Only Family

Chapter 304: You Are My Only Family

"I don’t understand what you were thinking, Christopher."

The condescending voice of Jerome Brunton didn’t surprise Lord Lockhart. "I expected your call... Just a bit earlier, maybe yesterday?" he asked unfazed. The clear liquid in his glass twinkled by the lights.

"My MaryAnn didn’t want me to talk to you, in case I ’influence’ you."

"You mean coerce me?" Lord Lockhart chuckled as he stared at the half empty bottle in front of him. He poured himself another glass.

"You made her live with guilt for the rest of her life. You should have been honest, Christopher. You want our children to get coerced by the Council in the future?"

As usual, Jerome- the visionary cared for the future implications of everything.

"There are no records, except that grainy video that circulated, which implied Talia killed Cyrus. That video can be easily debunked. And there is her word. There is no other proof. I made sure of it. In the future, even if Cyril wants to go against Talia, he cannot use this fact as he doesn’t have any concrete proof other than his word and hers. I made it so. And the Council... Even if they survive after I leave, with the majority sentiment against them, will they bring up Cyrus again after my final words? They’d reveal their true forms as despicable hyenas." Lord Lockhart spoke in a calm tone.

Of course he made this decision considering everything. That’s why it took him this long to make the announcement.

" And you know Cyrus has a son. I don’t want him to hold any grudges against the one girl his father loved."

"There you go... Cyrus didn’t ’love’ MaryAnn the way you mean, Christopher." Jerome sighed. He had watched those two grow up. How could anyone suggest that?

Lord Lockhart was exasperated to explain anything to Jerome. The grandfather and granddaughter pair is too pure-hearted, they can’t see the evil hidden behind others’ gentle exterior.

"My boy..." Lord Lockhart spoke in a sombre tone. "He was a dark cloud with only a little goodness in him. His goodness was just that -- a silver lining. But only she saw it as her light, brightening up her life. Maybe I should pity that girl who had someone like him as her only support. And undeniably, she was his entire world. At least his dark life had one strong bond to keep him company. And it is poetic the way his life ended. He did the most selfless act on the last day of his life. And I can see, he would have preferred to end his pathetic life in her hands and he got what he wanted.. She still holds him dearly in her heart... Just like his mother... The way she spoke for him, she reminded me of my Clara... And she’s the girl who grew in front of me. I remember holding her as a baby and... I don’t see her differently from how I see Cyrus or Cyril... Just tell her to forget about it. Maybe she needs to believe she was not the one who killed Cyrus... It was Jared Cooper. It was him and he paid for what he did handsomely." his voice went so soft and slurred a bit towards the end.

Jerome didn’t say a word. He realised that Christopher changed his mind after talking to Mary Ann. And he’s drunk to be this honest with him.

" By the way, when are you going to die? I heard you were seriously ill? " Lord Lockhart asked and Jerome chuckled.

"What’s the hurry? I’ve decided to stay until I hold my great grandbabies. What about you?" he asked back with a smile.

Ten years... And this guy haven’t changed a bit.

" Yeah, didn’t die Jerome... Ever! You’re so strong in heart Jerome. Only when I buried my child, I realised how much you’ve suffered in the name of the feud... No parent should bury their child, you see... You know, that’s why I was not opposed to the marriage between Arthur and Talia. And Cyril doesn’t hate Talia eve though he says he loves his brother and little Vivian loves Talia. There won’t be any feud between our families, Jerome... Camilla made sure she won’t let Thomas know the truth about Talia and... It is for the best. And did you hear? The eldest Wallace is courting little Vivian’s sister and Cyril will become brothers with him by virtue of marrying sisters and then there is Arthur who gets along with the both of them... See, our children are getting along...."

Lord Lockhart went on with his rant and Jerome listened silently.

-----

Talia still lying on the fluffy rug, was checking her phone. She had a lot of missed calls and she sent them all a text that she’s fine and that she’d get back to them later. She only talked with Rebecca, Celine, Joline and Cordelia. Lambert sent her a text that he didn’t care about what she has to say and Talia wanted to slap him hard.

Then why did he call?

" Why aren’t you answering your phone? " Talia asked as she saw Arthur dismissing a call rather angrily.

"It’s my not brother or cousin or whatever. I’m not talking to him! He probably wants me to babysit my not nephew and niece." Arthur said with a frown and Talia kicked his knee.

"Drama queen! Just talk to your brother. He still is your family, even if he is not your brother."

"No! Never! Either he’s my brother or he is no one. Since he feels like he’s not my brother, he’s not my family either... Iris..." he held her leg that was kicking him repeatedly and kissed her foot making her shrink.

"I only need you as my family..." his kisses trailed upwards to her leg. "You have such a beautiful foot and amazing legs... Ah, I’m such a lucky guy..."

Talia closed her eyes, reveling in the warmth of his kisses. This guy finds odd parts of her beautiful at times. At first it was her eyes, then it was her breasts, her back and then her midriff and now legs?

Wonder what part will it be next time...

Ah... Getting kissed in the legs is oddly erotic....

But with her eyes closed, she remembered that odd dream she had.

"Fred... Has your mum ever visited you?"

Arthur’s actions paused and he looked perplexed.

"Visit? As in... As a ghost or-"

"In your dreams, " Talia explained.

Arthur placed her leg softly on the rug and laid beside her. "No, I guess... I sometimes think about her. I was too little when she passed away and so I don’t remember anything about her... Just her images from photographs... I’ve heard her voice from some home videos and... I don’t think I’ve ever dreamt of her. Do you? " he asked as he knew otherwise she wouldn’t have brought this up.

Talia explained her dream and he hugged her as he didn’t know what to say.

Her phone rang as he tried to find words and Arthur ended the call seeing Roderick’s name.

" I’m going to meet Roderick tomorrow "

Talia said with determination.