Samuel’s look would stop most people in their tracks. His brown eyes glowed with frightening intensity. Many people would be intimidated by the darkness; Marie was not. She knew beyond a shadow of a doubt she had Nathaniel’s support. That knowledge propelled her forward. She’d seen those eyes before, in the man she loved. However, they hadn’t been directed at her, but at the man before her. Perhaps that was Samuel’s true source of animosity. She possessed the love and support he’d never received. Pity threatened her indignation until fear took over. What would Samuel do if he knew she were pregnant?

The report was the same: Ms. Sharron’s vitals continue to diminish. The IV kept her hydrated but without nutrients she’d be gone within hours or days. This time, the doctor did not expect a reprieve. Samuel, Amanda, and Marie listened as the doctor explained the probable sequence of internal events ultimately releasing Sharron from her earthly prison and stopping her respirations altogether.

The three sat in silence as the doctor and his staff gathered their belongings. “Mr. Rawls, I will once again offer my nurses to stay with Mrs. Rawls during these last few days. This is a difficult time for those emotionally bound to her. We can have a rotation here twenty-four hours.”

Nathaniel wasn’t present, granting Samuel the supreme position as decision maker. Marie sat straight and looked to Mr. Samuel. She wanted compassion, understanding, perhaps even respect for her years of service. She wanted to be the one monitoring the sweet lady. Instead, what Marie saw was contempt. Samuel’s sinister expression displayed his sudden ability to thwart her plans. His voice was smug and restrained, “Thank you, Doctor. I believe that would be best. Please have your nurses begin immediately.”

Amanda looked from her husband to Marie, back and forth. Finally, with a pompous smirk she spoke, “Then I guess it’s settled. Marie, you may pack your things. It seems everything is covered.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Rawls.” Despite their cruelty, Marie conducted herself with poise and dignity. They were after all in Ms. Sharron’s room. It wasn’t the place for an argument. “I believe I’ll wait for Mr. Rawls’ return before I begin that endeavor.”

Amanda smirked, “Marie, perhaps you’ve forgotten, I’m in charge of household staff. Nathaniel has more important issues than dealing with the help. Your services are no longer required.”

Ignoring Amanda’s directive, Marie walked toward the bed and squeezed Ms. Sharron’s hand. With tears in her eyes, Marie nodded respectfully to the nurses, gathered her composure and walked toward the door of the suite. She needed air. The day was beautiful. Her goal was the pool or perhaps gardens, anywhere away from Samuel and Amanda.

Marie’s mind spun as she approached the grand staircase taking in the gorgeous entry. The space below shone brightly and full of light, the high ceiling sparkled with reflective gold flakes glistening above the large glowing chandelier. A story below, sunlight seeped through beveled glass, creating prisms of color. Momentarily, Marie paused at the railing mesmerized by the rainbows dancing on the reflective sheen of the marble floor. It was as if the beautiful foyer was unaware that death lurked in the shadows.

After descending a few steps Samuel’s gruff voice stalled her movement. Gripping the rail she remained facing forward, refusing to turn toward him. His words reached her loud and clear, “I would appreciate you to remember, staff uses the back stairs.” When Marie chose not to respond, Samuel moved closer, descending a few steps. “I am speaking to you.”

Her gray eyes shot shards of hate through the moisture she shed for the woman upstairs. “I can assure you, I heard you. Would you like me ascend, so I may descend again?”

“I would like you to ascend so you may fulfill the task my wife instructed.”

Marie turned away, exhaled audibly, and continued her descent. This time he stopped her progress with a tight grip to her right arm as he propelled himself in her path. “My father has a lot of important things happening with his work; he doesn’t need to be concerned with the employment of servants.” His heavy emphasis on the last word did not go unnoticed.

Marie’s chin rose in defiance. She stared directly into Samuel’s eyes. “I am aware of his concerns.”

“Oh, really?”

She didn’t owe Samuel anything. Nonetheless, she hoped her knowledge would stop his barrage, if only momentarily. “Yes, your father is currently in a meeting with Mr. Clawson and Mr. Mathews. That’s why he wasn’t able to be here for the doctor’s examination. However, he plans to be home as soon as he can. Your son is coming too.”

Samuel chuckled, “Well, I guess it’s true. If you want to know everything about someone,” he paused, “share a pillow.”

Marie freed her arm and attempted to step around the detour Samuel created. The prisms of light and color continued to dance across the floor, far below.

“We want you gone by the time he gets home.” It wasn’t a request.

Marie spun again, “I will not leave this home until your father asks me to do so.”

“So you actually think you will stay, after my mother is gone?”

“I think you disrespect your mother by speaking as if she’s already in heaven.”

His rage was fueled by multiple sources. His mother’s illness and impending death was unjust. She deserved so much more than she’d experienced. She deserved love and kind-ness, something Samuel couldn’t imagine she’d ever received from his tyrannical father. As he stared at Marie’s vain expression, he wanted to remove it forcibly from her smug face. He had never struck a woman, yet he questioned this woman’s true status. Believing her to be nothing more than a gold digging whore, Samuel questioned how Nathaniel could be deceived by this slut. Samuel reasoned it was due to his father’s increased stress with Rawls Corporation and Sharron’s worsening health. Fighting to contain his instincts, he reached once again for her arm, “I am dis-respecting her, when you’re fucking my...”