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No Easy Way	By : secretlysecretly Category: M through R > The Phantom of the Opera > Het Views: 7568 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own The Phantom of the Opera, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 39
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Chapter 40

Marianne let her mind wander as she gazed out the window of her bedroom. Her last encounter with Erik had scarred her soul forever; everything about that night kept coming back to her and she couldn’t seem to be able to feel anything anymore. She had been in a trance-like state ever since, uncaring of everything that was going on around her.

“You denied your soul tonight, Marianne.” were the last words Erik had spoken to her that night before he had walked out of her life forever.

She had to stop thinking about him. She had to stop crying and the all-consuming feeling of desperation that washed over her every time her thoughts wandered back to all that had been lost to her. She had to protect her child from harm; after the way she had driven Erik away, she had finally come to terms with the fact that there was nothing left to do for her. She had to accept her fate and make the best of this desperate situation she was trapped in.

She felt she had no more tears to shed and in that exact moment realization had hit her right in the centre of her miserable state. She couldn’t find any way to break free of her despondent disposition, so instead of fighting her demons she had allowed numbness to surround her heart and body. Erik had been right. She had denied her soul the night she had lost him. There was nothing left to be said and done, nothing that could lead to her salvation, to their salvation.

Erik didn’t deserve to get hurt ever again. She had made a solid promise to him not so long ago and she had broken it in the worst possible way. How could she bear the thought of the only man she had ever truly loved lying dead, killed by those who would never understand his true nature? It would certainly be the end of her and their unborn child.

She wasn’t foolish enough to believe that Olivier would allow her child to grow up in a happy environment; she was absolutely certain of the fact that he would do anything in his power to make her baby’s life a miserable one. However she couldn’t take the chance of confronting the Baron with such allegations before she would safely give birth to Erik’s child. Many a time she had contemplated on running away and raising her child alone, but she was sure her devious fiancé would take revenge on her in her lover’s face.

The idea of confiding in Erik kept coming back to her, filling her heart with hope, but she kept dismissing the thought, certain that her jilted lover would act on an impulse and confront Olivier. She was terrified of the prospect as it could only lead to his imprisonment and subsequent execution. Even if he managed to kill the Baron, she was sure that her cousin in light of his friend’s death would turn Erik in and she would effectively lose him for ever.

She caressed her slightly round belly, as a deep sigh escaped her lips. Images of her and Erik kept crossing her tormented mind. Marianne would never accept the fact that they were doomed to spend the rest of their lives apart from each-other. Not five nights ago, she had been in his strong arms, allowing the waves of their passion to carry her away into an ocean of emotions. She kept her eyes open, but the images of their torrid night together kept crossing her mind; she could still feel his touch, she could still feel his warm skin against her own.

Darkness surrounded her, such as she had not experienced ever before. Nobody had ever understood her better than Erik. No, nobody could ever love her more than him. She was doomed to spend the rest of her wretched existence alone; her sole consolation the child they had created together.

Her empty gaze fixed on the horizon, she wondered what she had done to deserve all this sadness. She had waited all her life for a man like Erik to come and save her from everything, even from her own self. In him she had finally found the love her parents had shared that she had been so envious of all through her early youth. Erik always made her wish to be a better person; he completed her in every way. His eyes, his deep green gaze upon her, swept her away like the tempestuous waters of the sea, making her forget everything and everyone else around her. She wanted to live for him and him only.

Their time had come to pass so quickly. Marianne still could not accept the fact that only a few days separated her from uniting her life with Olivier. She was supposed to be happy now, truly happy! She wasn’t supposed to feel as miserable as she had been feeling ever since her separation from Erik. Her heart should be swelling with joy as she looked at her crisp white wedding dress. She should have been ecstatic binding her life with Erik’s instead of waiting for her life to end by committing the greatest mistake of her life and marrying that monster, Olivier.

She took a deep breath as she tried to dismiss the pain from her heart. Closing her eyes, she allowed herself to drift in her daydreaming.

It was her wedding day. She was gazing at her image in the mirror, looking more radiant than ever, wearing her beautiful white wedding gown. She smiled at the thought that Erik was waiting for her and, adjusting her veil, took one last look at her flawless appearance and exited her room, almost running down the stairs, eager to reach her beloved’s side, her heart ready to burst from happiness.

She had once expressed her desire for them to marry in Erik’s magnificent labyrinth. Marianne had never dreamt of a grand wedding ceremony; she had never wanted to be surrounded by guests who would attend the wedding only because their attendance was imposed upon them by social etiquette, or by mere curiosity in order to be provided with a topic during their idle gossip. She had always dreamt of being alone with the man of her life, joining her life with his for ever in the presence of only the necessary witness for the ceremony.

She could swear she had him right in front of her eyes. As she would finally reach the centre of the labyrinth, Marianne would see him waiting for her. Erik would be there, dressed impeccably and looking as handsome as she had never seen him before. She could imagine him as he smiled at her, reaching out his arm, waiting for her to hold his hand. She would hold her breath the moment he would declare his love with his vows.

And in the end, they would kiss. Her fingers touched her lips as she imagined him leaning in for the most tender of kisses. Their lives would be perfect. They would wait together for the arrival of their child and make plans for their future. That was the way it should have been…

Ever so slowly she opened her eyes, finding herself back again in the cruel reality her life had become. Not only was she alone, waiting to bring their child into the world, but she had hurt the man she held so dear in her heart so deeply by lying to him, claiming that she didn’t want her children to inherit his deformity.

Marianne had never imagined she could possess such strength inside of her; it had taken all she had when she had told him that awful lie. She could never fathom the thought of denying his child, even if the baby were to inherit Erik’s deformity. Erik was the sole man on this earth who had made her feel like the strongest woman in the world when she had had him by her side. She would cherish this child more than her own life and would teach him to be strong like his father.

Marianne felt like she had found the meaning of life just by looking at him, and now… all had been lost to her for ever. She had decided to do what Olivier had demanded of her; the ultimate sacrifice. Marianne knew perfectly well that she had never had any other choice. She had to hurt him in order to save him. She had to do that in order to save his life as much as their child’s. She would manage to live for the sake of their baby, even if she knew that Erik would hate her and stay away from her.

Yes, she would live if she would have their child safe and sound in her arms. That baby would be her consolation; she would have the proof of their love in her life for ever. Marianne would never forget Erik; she would love him until her dying day. At least she could say that for a short time in her life she had found true love in the arms of a man who had given her his whole being.

She had to remain sane, sane for the sake of their child. She couldn’t bear it if something would happen to her baby. She turned her gaze to the sky and, even though she had lost all hope, prayed for a miracle.

Only a miracle would save them now… Despite that brief moment of hope though, she felt the last remnants of courage leave her heart, and a feeling of utter loss overcame her senses. She had no one to turn to any longer.

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The carriage bearing the De Chagny crest came to a halt in front of the Pinon grand mansion. Raoul raised his eyes to look at the majestic building as the memories of his last visit to his cousin’s estate flooded his mind. Almost two months had passed since those awkward events that had separated him from Marianne in a rather bitter way and made him doubt not only his dear wife but also himself for the first time.
Raoul had asked himself many a time if he had been nothing but a mere pawn in this complicated game. He didn’t really care for all the other players of this strange game though; his wife, his loving beautiful wife, Christine, had been his only thought all along. He was unable to resist her charms, he had been in love with her ever since he had been a young boy. A mere look from her, and he would forget everything.

However, this time everything was different. He had endured too much turmoil and he had finally reached the point where he felt completely frustrated just sitting back and ignoring everything that was happening all around him. It was impossible for him to disregard Christine’s behaviour and pretend that her explanations were convincing to him. Yet, no, it couldn’t be as simple as that. All of the dreadful events that had led to this impasse had occurred due to a single man; the Phantom.

What fate had weaved their lives together? It would seem he was cursed to be haunted by that man, Erik Destler, all through eternity. His wife had been the first to fall under his spell; and now, after so many years, it was his cousin’s turn. In Raoul’s mind, it was as if the Phantom had set his mind to destroy his and his family’s lives.

Nevertheless, the situation apperared to sail toward a pleasant end. Raoul had been so thankful that Olivier had stepped into the picture and managed to pull Marianne out of harm’s way. In all truth, he had not expected to return to Rouen so soon and on top of that, for such a joyous occasion.

He turned to where Christine was sitting and saw her gazing at him, the expression on her lovely features a pleased one. All through the journey, Christine had been lost in her own thoughts and they had hardly exchanged more than a few words, but now she seemed absolutely exhilarated, appearing the least bit tired from their long journey.

Suddenly, Raoul felt extremely nervous and a chill ran through him as one of Marianne’s servants opened the door and waited to assist him and his wife out of their carriage. He wished he had never left Paris in the first place. He sensed that something was bound to happen, but he couldn’t put his finger on it just yet.

On her part, Christine felt refreshed and full of excitement, more than eager to find out about all that had transpired between Erik and Marianne. But... why was Marianne marrying Olivier? The last time she had seen her, the Duchess didn’t seem to have any feelings for the Baron. Perhaps it was a reaction to Erik; he always managed to ignite the most unexpected reactions in those around him. She had to control herself and not leave Raoul immediately to run to Erik’s estate. She couldn’t wait for the moment they would meet again!

As the front door opened, Marianne and Olivier appeared waiting for her and her husband in the foyer of the Pinon mansion. Marianne seemed pale and her appearance was far from what could be described as one of an eager, happy future bride. Perhaps she had fallen ill? Christine couldn’t care less, as she walked towards the entrance with a conceited air about her. ‘Silly girl’ she thought to herself, ‘you don’t know how lucky you are to have found someone to marry at your age... The power of money, I always thought that was the most powerful aphrodisiac. Perhaps the Baron is not the fool I had taken him for after all… And Erik is all alone again... I’m sure he would appreciate some fine female company...’ she thought to herself as she approached the couple at the door by her husband’s side, her eyes fixed on Marianne.

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A short while earlier, Marianne had been sitting on a sofa in the salon of her house, listening to Olivier’s speech on manners and social etiquette. He went on for several minutes, but she was barely hearing him any longer.
Seeing her expressionless face, Olivier felt beside himself with anger. He wouldn’t tolerate this kind of behaviour from his future bride. He had to bring her back to reality, even if that meant hurting her.

“Have you even heard a word I’ve said?” his furious voice jolted Marianne from her reveries; she looked at him, without a visible trace of feeling upon her face. Her audacity enraged her fiancé even more. He grabbed her wrist and pulled her to stand before him.

“Be careful Marianne! Do not ignore me when I am talking to you! You must understand that in two days you will be the lady of my house. Lady...” he scoffed, “I will make sure you behave as one, although you are nothing but a…”

Olivier stopped talking, when her eyes met his in a fierce stare. She didn’t utter a single word, but her eyes were telling him everything she wouldn’t say. He began to laugh openly in her face.

“I must admit you are courageous my dear!” his eyes darkened once again. “I will not tolerate any kind of misstep on your part. Remember, our guests are very important. You wouldn’t bother them with your lies, would you? You know better than that.”

His tight grip on her wrist hurt her like he had never hurt her before, but she didn’t move. She managed to bear the pain as she refused to gratify his hatred by crying.

“Have I made myself clear Marianne?”

“Yes Baron, you do not have to say anything else.” she responded to her future husband emotionlessly.

Olivier raised his free hand and brought it to her face, caressing the pale flesh tenderly. “You better mean what you’re saying my pet.”

Marianne’s eyes hardened as she regarded him icily and Olivier finally let go of her hand, setting her free. However, her elation at the freedom she felt soaring in her heart was soon crushed as she felt his hands encircle her neck. For a moment she thought he was about to strangle her but the sound of an approaching carriage ended her agony as Olivier’s hands loosened his vice grip and he caressed her skin lightly.

“Well, it just seems you are lucky my dear. You better change that look on your face right now. Your cousin and his wife are here for our wedding. You have to be cautious and watch your mouth Marianne, less they get suspicious. Do not even think for a second about revealing anything regarding our ‘deal’ to them, or… well, I don’t have to repeat myself, do I?”

Marianne gritted her teeth feeling hatred consume her at his words. “Olivier, I have to welcome my cousin and his wife. Please let go of me. I have to go to the front door in order to properly obey your orders.”

Olivier, knowing he couldn’t do anything, practically dragged her towards the front door. They stood by the door and he put his arm around her waist as Gerard the butler opened the door.

Christine was the first to enter the grand foyer holding Raoul’s arm, a smug smile on her face. She seemed as if she were entering her own mansion and, to Marianne, she appeared as if she owned everything and everyone on the premises.

Olivier smiled pleasantly as he greeted the Viscount and Viscountess. “Raoul my friend, it is so good to see you and your lovely bride again!”

“Hallo Olivier. It is indeed a pleasure to see you two so happy. Marianne, you look radiant. I am so happy to see you again.” the Viscount offered, trying to alleviate the tension between him and his cousin.

Marianne smiled cordially, nodding her head without saying a word. She felt a lump in her throat at the obvious embarrassment of her cousin. She knew he was replaying the scene of their last encounter in Erik’s mansion and could see that he felt remorse over the whole incident, but couldn’t utter a word.

It would seem that Christine was the only person unfazed by the uneasiness surrounding her. She smiled sweetly when Olivier complimented her on her beauty and walked the few steps that separated her from Marianne, hugging her tightly. “My dear Marianne! I was so happy when I heard the news of your engagement. You must be so excited!” she exclaimed while Marianne coldly disentangled herself from the Viscountess.

“Thank you Christine.” was all she said as she walked back to Olivier’s side and regarded the brunette with disdain.

Christine, unshaken by the apparent aversion Marianne felt towards her regarded the couple-to-be for a few seconds with a pleasant smile on her face and, tipping her head to the side, spoke enthusiastically. “Such a lovely couple you two make! I could never imagine another man by your side more suitable than Olivier dearest cousin!”

Olivier smiled pompously and turned to Marianne to offer his condolences for parting from such lovely company. “I should let you and our guests rest my sweet.” he offered, smiling good-naturedly.

She nodded her head as if in a haze and a few minutes later, Olivier departed leaving Marianne with Raoul and his wife in the salon. “Would you care to retire to your chambers cousin? You had a long day’s journey, you must be feeling quite tired.”

“That would be excellent Marianne. I would like to freshen up and perhaps have a little nap before dinner.” Christine replied, cutting in before Raoul had a chance to respond.

Raoul nodded his head in the affirmative and soon the couple was following Gerard the butler up the stairs and toward their private chambers. Raoul couldn’t shake the thought that Marianne didn’t have the look of a woman finally marrying her childhood sweetheart from his head. He could remember the way Christine had been fussing at least a month prior to their wedding, and Marianne appeared not to have any of the enthusiasm he had discerned in his young bride but three years ago. He had a feeling she wasn’t happy and he couldn’t help but wonder why she was so apathetic in light of her union with Olivier Dervaux.

Christine on the other hand was absolutely beaming with energy in light of the social event they would be part of in a few days. Ever since she had heard of the Baron’s engagement to Marianne, she had been beside herself with joy. For the life of him, Raoul couldn’t understand why she was so excited about the union of his friend to his cousin, but it would seem that Christine had taken a liking to the Baron and wanted the best for Marianne.

Christine ascended the stairs by her husband’s side, paying close attention as his feelings played out on his elegant features. He seemed sincerely concerned over his cousin’s obvious apathy in view of her imminent wedding and she couldn’t help but smile to herself at the way things were evolving. Now that Marianne was marrying Olivier, her path to true happiness by Erik’s side was opening up before her and the fact that he was so close sent shivers of anticipation down her spine.

She was absolutely certain that Erik had set his eyes on Marianne Pinon and he would most likely be devastated over her choice of a husband. Perhaps now he would be more receptive of her offer to rekindle their torrent relationship and this time she wouldn’t be a fool and drive him away as she had done when she was still no more than a child.

The couple entered the large bedroom which had been provided for them and Raoul immediately loosened his collar, sitting upon the bed heavily. He sat there for a few minutes, his gaze blurry and seemed to jump in his skin the moment her voice rang out in the room.

“Are you tired my love?”

He turned his eyes to her and nodded in the affirmative, seemingly lost in thought. “I think I need to rest for a while if you don’t mind my dear. The trip was quite exhausting for me. Won’t you join me?” he offered.

“I’m feeling quite exhilarated actually. I just can’t fathom how you are so tired after all of the travelling you do for business though…”

“The long hours I have been working have taken their toll on me I fear.”

“Would you mind if I left you to rest and took a stroll on the premises then?”

“Certainly not my dear. You should enjoy yourself.” he smiled, taking off his jacket tiredly.

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A few minutes later, Christine was walking around the house, looking for Marianne. Some time later, not having found the mistress of the house, she approached a servant girl and enquired as to the whereabouts of the Duchess.
“Mademoiselle de Duchess is resting in her chambers Viscountess. May I be of any service to you?”

“No, that will be quite alright. Thank you.” she dismissed the maid and walked up the stairs and over to Marianne’s private quarters, opening the door without knocking.

She found Marianne lying in her bed, looking out the window with a far off look in her eyes. She was staring off into space, her eyes fixed in the distance while she stroked her lower abdomen absentmindedly. When Christine walked into the room, the young woman turned her attention to her visitor and simply stared at Raoul’s wife as she closed the door behind her.

Puzzled by Marianne’s lethargic state, Christine walked over to the bed until she was standing a couple of meters from the young maiden. “Marianne, are you feeling alright?”

In fact, Christine had not seen Marianne looking the way she did ever before; the Duchess had never been more beautiful and radiant; the expression on her face the most serene she had ever seen on another person. Her long hair spilled on the pillow, she truly looked like an angel. A sad angel.

Marianne had been suffering from the usual pregnancy sickness as every morning since she had discovered she was expecting Erik’s child. The scene that had played out between her and Olivier combined with her cousin’s arrival, had made her stomach a mess. Nevertheless, the fact that Christine had intruded into her bedroom, without even knocking, made Marianne feel as if her patience were being tested. Her hormones seemed to change her attitude and, the fact that she had to deal with Christine, made Marianne feel restless as if she were waking from a dreamless slumber.

She managed to sit on the edge of the bed, feeling weak. “Is everything in order with your accommodation? Are you or Raoul in need of anything, Christine?” Marianne tried to conceal her irritation directed at this curious intruder in her room and in her life. She pulled the long heavy curls out of her face and straightened her skirt as she got up from the bed and stood before Christine. “You can summon one of the servants any time of day or night if you, or your husband, feel like doing so.” she said, the expression on her face a firm one.

Sensing the nervousness in Marianne’s voice, Christine looked at the woman before her and attributed her irritation due to all of the previous events between them. However, she wasn’t alone; she was getting married in two days time, she didn’t have any reason in the world to be annoyed or sad for that matter.

“Thank you Marianne, but I’m not in need of anything. I was looking for you actually.” Christine admitted.

“Me?” Marianne questioned, puzzled from the answer of the young Viscountess. Her mind was in a haze, she couldn’t possibly think of a reason why Christine would wish to see her. Christine’s departure from the Pinon estate had not been a pleasant one. As a matter of fact, Marianne had been more than content to see the young woman go. That day, Marianne had hoped that Christine would have learnt her lesson and that she would have returned to her husband, ready to be a faithful and loving wife.

However, she felt like Christine had been utterly successful in destroying her life. ‘If she had not deceived Raoul with all those lies… I would be Erik’s wife by now.’ Marianne thought to herself, a wave of frustration coming from the depths of her soul to engulf her. She looked down at Christine; even if Marianne would have the strength to react to this sudden realization, she couldn’t attack the wife of her cousin after all this time. It was too late now. What would be the use of getting upset and even perhaps, hurting her baby by distressing herself? Yet, on the other hand, could she let Christine get away with all she had done? Vanity had altered Christine into someone else; a person who would stop at nothing until she got exactly what she wanted.

Christine felt a little awkward by the way Marianne was looking at her. Her behaviour was strange. She was not the woman she had left behind before she had decided to leave hastily for Paris. That had been a woman full of life and energy. Before her eyes was a woman appearing to be more a ghost than a living person.

“Marianne, why are you looking at me like this? Are you feeling alright?” Christine asked her, shaken by Marianne’s odd demeanour.

“How am I supposed to look at you Christine?” Marianne’s steady voice sounded a little threatening to Christine’s ears. “I feel a little ill, but let me assure you it is nothing serious.” she lied. “Now, please tell me if there is anything I can help you with…” or I would like for you to leave my room immediately, Marianne finished her sentence in her head.

Sensing the distress in Marianne’s tone, Christine felt content she in fact had managed to irritate her. The word curious was not enough to describe Christine’s eagerness to discover what had happened between Marianne and Erik. It was too soon for Christine to pretend she would go for a ride in the estate and then go directly to Erik’s mansion. This was the best she could do in order to learn about him. How could he have let Marianne go so easily? Perhaps the Duchess had followed the same syllogism she herself had three years ago and had finally made the safe choice in choosing to marry a handsome, rich noble instead of Erik?

“Actually cousin, I was wondering whether you had any news regarding Erik’s condition. When Raoul travelled back to Paris and recounted to me what had happened between him and my old mentor, I was beside myself with worry. I may not be interested in him in any way whatsoever, but that doesn’t mean I want to see him hurt.”

“Why should you care Christine? After all you are the one who instigated the whole incident.”

“It had nothing to do with me Marianne! You have to believe me! However, when I asked Raoul to show mercy and leave Erik be, he insisted upon defending my honour and putting an end to this madness once and for all.”

Beside herself with anger, Marianne had to refrain herself from striking the younger woman before her. “I wonder how you can sleep at nights.”

With an innocent look on her face, Christine confronted Marianne and, shaking her head in a condescending manner, spoke. “What are you talking about? I tried to calm Raoul but he just wouldn’t listen to me. You have to know I was only after your best interests when I informed Raoul of your rapport with Erik. You don’t know what he is capable of Marianne! He was only trying to make me jealous when he pretended he was interested in you, he told me so himself when I last met him! Oh, you can’t imagine my relief when Raoul told me about the news about you and Olivier!”

“Enough with the lies!” Marianne screamed.

“Marianne, please control yourself!” Christine froze in view of Marianne’s anger.

“Get out! I have had enough of this! I can’t take it any more!”

“Why do you hate me so Marianne? You can’t possibly have feelings for that monster!”

“Monster? Erik is no monster! He is the sweetest man I have ever met, despite all the hatred and the pain he has lived through, his soul remains that of a frightened child wandering in the dark, searching for someone to call his own.” Marianne whispered brokenly, her tears running down her cheeks unnoticed.

However Marianne’s tears didn’t faze Christine; instead she gasped in surprise and spoke. “You love him! I cannot believe you love him! You actually have feelings for that monster! Is that why you hate me so? Because you know that no matter what Erik will always have feelings for me?”

Unable to take it any longer, Marianne started to scream at the top of her lungs. “GET OUT! Get away from me! GET OUT!”

“Does it hurt to hear the truth Marianne?” Christine said with an evil grin.

Marianne started crying openly and kept on screaming, but before she collapsed Raoul burst into the room, obviously shaken by the scene playing out before his eyes.

“What is going on? Marianne, why are you crying? Christine, what happened?”

“I don’t know Raoul, we were simply talking and all of a sudden she went into hysterics.” Christine frantically informed her husband.

Raoul strode over to where Marianne was standing and tried to put his arms around her, but his cousin wouldn’t calm down and tried to push him away.

“Marianne please, talk to me! Tell me what is wrong!”

“Raoul, please! Take her away from me! I can’t stand it any longer!”

Christine walked a few steps toward them, trying to appear astonished and raised her hand to her face, seemingly wiping a stray tear from her eye. “Marianne please calm down. Raoul, I can’t even begin to imagine what came over her.”

“I can’t, I can’t stand this any longer.” Marianne whispered between sobs.

Raoul managed to pull her in his arms and embraced her tightly, trying to console her. “Hush now. Everything is going to be alright, you’ll see.” he whispered soothingly in her ear, stroking her hair softly. “Christine, perhaps it would be better if you left us alone for a while.”

Christine, exasperated by her husband’s dismissive manner, stormed out of the room haughtily. Raoul turned his attention back to his cousin, still hugging her protectively. “Marianne, whatever has come to pass between us, you know that I always cared for you. I still do. Please, open your heart to me.”

Shaken by his words, she shook her head in denial and tried to break free from his embrace. It shouldn’t have been him who comforted her right now; she should have been in Erik’s arms, feeling happy and content without a single care in the world, since she was going to have his baby. How could Raoul expect her to confide in him after all that had come to pass between them? How could she trust her cousin knowing that he would detest Erik for ever? How could Raoul ask her to open her heart to him, when he himself was blinded by his love for Christine, unable to see any other truth beyond the one his wife was telling him?

While Marianne’s agitated mind kept telling her this reaction to her cousin was the right one, her heart was telling her something entirely different. Marianne had finally reached her limits. It would be impossible for her to last much longer under these circumstances, as she felt nothing more than emptiness and despair in her pitiful life. Could Raoul be the one who would simply hear her divest of her inner turmoil and offer her a kind word of consolation in her present state of utter desperation?

She didn’t want to entrust him with her secret, but on the other hand, he was there, holding her, trying to help her. Her mind kept travelling back to the days of their childhood when her cousin had always been her touchstone, the brother she never had. A few minutes passed in silence and she finally stopped fighting him and collapsed in his arms, crying frantically. Raoul kept holding her and whispered words of consolation to the broken woman in his arms.

He couldn’t help but wonder what exactly had happened to his cousin to reduce her in such a pitiful state following to his departure for Paris. He just couldn’t find a justifiable reason for Marianne to behave in this delirious manner. Raoul felt pity as he felt the sobs wracking her body carry on interminably. A few moments later, Marianne finally managed to control herself and started taking deep breaths, trying frantically to regain her composure.

Marianne disentangled herself from Raoul’s embrace and walked over to her vanity set, studying her reflection in the mirror. Her eyes were red and puffy from all the crying; she thought to herself she was an absolute mess. However, she couldn’t care less at this point…

“Thank you Raoul. I… You… Thank you my cousin.” was all she could muster at the moment. She was perfectly conscious she had broken her ‘promise’ to Olivier, letting her guard down and allowing her cousin to suspect of her condition. Yet, she felt tired; tired of all the lying and the deceit. She looked at him, a deep sadness shadowing her brown eyes.

“You do not have to thank me for anything Marianne.” Raoul stood up and approached her. “Please, dearest cousin, do not be afraid. Whatever has happened to you, I am positive that if we could…” he continued as he took her hand in his.

Marianne pulled her hand away abruptly. “We? Have you forgotten everything Raoul? We had always trusted each other with our secrets when we were children. Please, tell me, how can I trust you now? Can I ever really confide in you again, when I know that the next thing you will do is to fully abide by your wife’s wishes?”

Raoul looked down, obviously shaken by her words. He wanted to get to the bottom of this since something terrible seemed to be tormenting Marianne’s fragile mind.

“Yes, Marianne, I remember our youth, how close we used to be. Please, let me help you. I promise I will not say or do anything against you wishes. You have to trust me Marianne!” Raoul looked straight into her eyes, hoping to find his old friend and cousin under the cracked surface.

Marianne saw before her a last chance to save herself and her love for Erik. She sat upon her bed again, took a deep breath and turned her attention back to her cousin. Raoul sat on an armchair opposite from her as Marianne commenced her narration.

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A/N: Thank you for reading and reviewing! This chapter is the beginning of the end of our story, so expect things to get much (way much) better from now on!
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No Easy Way