Isabelle
For three years now Thomas had bit his tongue every time Isabelle had mentioned giving him an heir. The doctor made things worse when he assure Isabelle it was safe to try again and she had ten good years left to try.
He was kind and courteous. He charming and alluring. Nothing would dissuade her from her cause. Thomas knew he could not tell her the truth, the real reason he did not want for a son. He had even hired a maestro from Austria to teach Ndidi, for her to stop thinking on it. He was beginning to fear he would have to be harsh towards the only woman he ever loved.
It tormented his soul to no end, he was no longer sleeping at night. When he looked into her eyes he could deny her nothing, his very will melted. He never wanted a moments harm to befall her, he never wanted to raise his voice against her. Yet how? How else could he get his point across to her. It would kill what small good was still in him to see the spark in her eye vanish from his cruelty. It was better to vanish in the night never to return than to live in eternity with that pain.
He walked to the window and looked at the full moon shining brightly against the billions of stars. Then it came to him in an instant.
Thomas felt a rush of energy overcome his body and stimulate his mind. He sat down at the desk and began to pen a letter.
“Dearest Isabelle,
How heartbreaking it was for me to read of your betrothal, but still I held faith in you. When I read of your Wedding however, a dubious cloud formed over me. For my beautiful Isabelle had lied to me. You, who are stark beauty in my eyes. You, who are the very definition of all that is good in this world. You have been unfaithful to me and to God, for I was your betrothed first. You swore your heart, your mind, and your body to me alone. I swore to you I can not live in this world if you shut me out. I read he gave you a child, a daughter. Then my mood and thoughts lightened, for I knew how you wanted a child. For now I am away, and I can not give you such things. In my thoughts and heart I was glad with you, I lived in happiness with you.
For your sake I am grateful it was not a son. A daughter may bring you much happiness, and I pray that she will. I pray also for your sake and the sake of your precious daughter. Whom I know you love more than your own life. For you Isabelle, are the perfection of all motherhood. I knew you would be, and I expect fully that you are. For it was you alone I longed to father children with. Take no further risks Dearest Isabelle. I love you more than my own freedom, I love you more than any value my life may have. You know I am a theif, please do not make yourself the prize I steal. If you bear this man a Son it will be the last day you see his face, and forevermore you will see mine. I will jail you if I must, I will do all I must. I beg you, most urgently, be happy with what you have for now that I may live in some small way through your happiness. If you give birth to his son, I will steal you and leave him his precious heir. He will not steal two treasures from heart, he is lucky enough I let him away with one.
Your Eternal Lover,
Thomas”