The sun came in through the window, and announced a new day.

Sophie stretched under the covers. It was still early. All was peaceful, not a sound came from outside. She only had a few hours of sleep, but she felt rested. Ben dropped her later than usual. 

The old guy came to like her and thankfully didn't ask any questions. He was an ideal, loyal employee. 

Last night wasn't different from any other in his arms, but somehow it was. He held her a little tighter, he kissed her a little longer, and he didn't send her home until just about dawn. She came home with yet another piece of jewellery. This time it was an elegant diamond pendant. 

After she got up and had tea, she went for a walk and read until the evening. 

At dusk there was a knock at her door. Sophie was surprised to see Ben at her doorstep. It wasn't until tomorrow that she was supposed to go see Jaxon. 

"My apologies miss Sophie if I startle you, but Mr. Barnett wishes to see you today. " 

"Give me a minute Ben. I'll be out before long." Sophie thought how odd and out of order this was. Ben smiled at her when she shortly appeared outside. He rushed and opened the carriage door for her. 

Her steps somehow got heavier with each stair. Sam silently opened the door for her.

"This way Miss Sophie." She followed him to the same room she was in the first time here. 

Jaxon stood by the fireplace, and he wore his evening suit. It was clear he's going out. He had a very somber expression on his face. 

 "Sophie! Would you like to sit down?" It was very formal. 

"I'm fine. Why am I here today?" 

“There will be changes. I made arrangements in St. Paul's, after all it is closer to your brother. I've purchased a house for you there." Then pause followed before he spoke again," Today I proposed to Miss Hens and she accepted. I won't see you anymore. Our involvement came to end Sophie. I will fulfill my obligation to your brother, and you'll be taking care of until he's settled. After all, you served me well."

The room became quiet , a little too quiet. Sophie started to remember and registered his words. With a slow motion she lifted his eyes to him. 'You can't show him Sophie. You can't show him your pain.' His last words pierce through her heart. She was sure nothing can heal that wound, and she'll remember his words until her dying day. 

"I'll be going now! I could say thank you, but I will only say, best wishes!” She managed without a blink.. The door seemed very far, but she reached them somehow and stepped through them. She should be happy. Finally it is over, and she will be happy closer to Eric. Why didn't her heart rejoice?

On the way back Ben drove quietly. 

"You take care Miss Sophie." He said while he dropped her off in front of the townhouse.

“Thank You!” 

After she closed the door behind her it was still a numb feeling in her heart. 

Instead of thinking about him she thought of packing. She got to it right away. She has to be out of here as soon as she can. To see him married, to see him with his wife would be too painful. She'll go on, she knew. Why did love have to be so heartbreaking? 

Sophie closed her eyes and slept. It was a deep sleep without dreams. It seemed even the dreams died inside her together with her heart. 

"You were his mistress Sophie, not a love or a lover. His mistress Sophie." She repeated in her mind. It didn't help, then she thought of Erick. Few more years and he'll be on his way to chase his dreams of being a doctor. At that thought she managed to smile. Her broken heart will mend. She hoped, she knew it would.

Two days later she was on her way to her new life. Life without Jaxon in it. She left all behind, his cruel words, and his icy silver eyes. 

The house he bought for her was a nice house in a suburb of the town. It had its own yard and trees. She opened the green door and walked in. It was dark with the shutters closed, so she crossed the room and opened them up. It got brighter and she could see an elegantly furnished space with a few sofas , table and a red rug. The hallway led to the four doors and she opened each of them revealing four bedrooms. The kitchen in the back of the house contained a modern wood stove , large dining table and chairs. The door of the kitchen opened up to a yard with a swing and a bench surrounded with flowers. She stepped outside and sat on it. The tears that she stubbornly held at bay started sliding down her cheeks. It was some time before she made it inside. 

The days were filled with unpacking and setting up the place. She made Eric's room with care. 

Next month he has his weekend off. Sophie could hardly wait. 

One morning she got up and just made it to the wash pot in the corner of the room. She emptied the content of her stomach. 

In the kitchen, she made herself tea and ate a dried up piece of bread. It was the only thing that appealed to her. 

It took a few more mornings to come to a conclusion. She was pregnant with Jaxon's baby. 

Sophie didn't know how to feel about it. At the end she concluded that she was happy. To the neighbours the few of them that she had; she can tell the same story about being a widow. 

She dug out the box with jewellery. She can get a small fortune for it. She and her child will be fine. There is no cure for a broken heart, but a new love always helps to put the balm on the wound. Sophie already loved her baby.

*****

Jaxon arrived at the Hens' house a little late and Dorin wasn't too happy.

"Now we will be late to the theatre!" She complained. 

Jaxon's thoughts were on the sad blue eyes he sent away from him. She was in the rush to leave town and to leave him behind. She grabbed all he give and didn't waste any time moving. 

Until Eric finishes school his solicitor was instructed to send checks monthly. The house he bought her and gifts should keep her for a long time. It was a big improvement from the shack they lived in. For him to think that way gave him comfort, but the empty feeling in his chest stayed there.

"I want our wedding to be on our plantation. My father will take care of everything. It must be the grandest wedding ." Dorin didn't stop chatting all the way to town. 

Jaxon only heard every second word. Whichever way he turned from every direction the blue eyes watched him. He could see them clearly. Accusing him. Her kissable lips. Jaxon didn't have any will to kiss Dorin , but she'll be his wife so he bent down and placed his lips on hers. There was no spark that he felt when he kissed Sophie. Dorin gasped "What are you doing Jaxon? I don't like that." 

"Sorry Dorin." He reluctantly apologized to his fiance, and pulled away immediately.

He might not have felt anything when he kissed her, but her land will make up for it. He smiled at the thought. 

****

Sophie somehow after a few weeks found some inner peace. She would lie to herself if she would say all was well, but she managed to go on from day to day. The house kept her busy, and she read Eric's letters when she got lonely. For herself she needed very little. She altered a few dresses for later on and cleaned the room for a nursery. It will be hard to explain it to Eric but she hopes he'll take it well. The truth was out of question. She decided to tell him that she fell in love and made a mistake, and only when she won't be able to hide it any longer. She lived a lie, but it was out of her hands. She didn't know what else to do. 

She saved as much as she could. The first check arrived and it was a generous one, but she had to think for a long run. 

One day while weeding in the garden she spotted something black and white under the bushes. It meowed and came out. It was the half starved kitten, Sophie picked it up and carried it inside.

"You are in bad shape. Me and you are very much alike." She smiled when she saw a kitten eagerly drinking the milk in front of him. It was her first smile after a long time. When the kitten finished, she whipped him off with a damp towel.

" Spot, I think I'll call you Spot. It suits you." The kitten meowed in response. 

"You like your name don't you. Let's find the bed for you." 

One weekend Eric came home and started asking questions. 

"How come you live here now Soph? Whose house is it?" 

Sophie told him that their distant aunt died and left them the house." It was another lie Sophie had to live with. Eric was gone and it was her and Spot again. 

*****

It was his wedding day and he should be eager for his bride but Jaxon lacked the enthusiasm. As per the bride's wishes it was the biggest wedding in those parts for some years. He ate, he smiled but Jaxon didn't feel. The guests congratulated him, and raised their glasses, but there was no joy in his eyes to receive the wishes. 

The first words his new bride said when she walked into her new home were ," We have to remodel around here. This is not to my taste." She yawned and placed the back of her hand to her mouth, "I'm very tired. I'll retire to my room." She left him alone in the foyer. He spent his wedding night in the company of a bottle of brandy.