A Gift For The Dead

CHAPTER 13

(A Gift For The Dead)

Anna stirred, shutting her eyes to the streaks of sunlight streaming into the vast bedroom, 

Her body heavy with exhaustion, her heart even heavier. 

The rustle of fabric made her turn around and froze.

William stood before the mirror, crisp shirt half-buttoned, cufflinks gleaming in the early light. His movements were precise, mechanical. His face carried not a trace of warmth.

She pushed herself upright, her voice tentative. “Good morning.” 

His eyes flicked to hers in the reflection.. cold, distant.. and then back to the cufflinks. 

“Is it?” He asked flatly, the words cutting and dismissive.

The words hit harder than any silence. He shrugged on his jacket, collected his watch, adjusted his tie with unbending elegance, and without so much as a second glance, strode to the door.

The click of it shutting left her hollow.

Tears welled before she could stop them. She curled against the sheets, her body shaking as last night's rejection burned afresh with his morning indifference. 

A sob slipped free, muffled into the pillow. For the first time, Anna wondered if she was destined to live like this.. tethering on the edge of someone else's shadow, yearning for even a crumb of warmth.

*********

By midmorning she composed herself and bathed, the mansion was alive with its usual morning rhythm. Servants darted about, trays in hand, silver clinking faintly. Anna, dressed in a soft cream dress, made her way toward the dining hall.

The Fairchild dining hall was vast… vaulted ceilings, polished oak, silver gleaming under sunlight that streamed through high windows.

As she stepped inside, the conversation hushed.

Every head turned.

Edward sat at the head of the table, his presence commanding. Katherine, poised as ever, poured tea with grace. 

Helena lounged lazily with her cup of coffee. Oliver leaned back in his chair, bored but watchful. Olivia's eyes lit warmly at Anna, motioning her closet. 

At the far end sat Daniel with Camille beside him. Daniel's gaze as usual lingered on Anna.

“Anna,” Katherine said finally, her voice clipped but polite. “Do join us. Sit down, dear. Eat. It's unbecoming for a Fairchild bride to skip meals with the family.” 

Anna swallowed the lump lodged in her throat and lowered herself into the empty chair between Olivia and Oliver. Her cutlery clinked against the silver, as she served herself.

The silence was broken by Edward.

“You're quiet,” he said, his tone more accusation than observation. His gaze bore into her. “Tell me, Anna… have you thought about your future here?” 

Her knitted. “My.. future?”

“You've married into this family now,” he said, tone sharp with expectation. “And with that comes duty. Do you understand?” 

“Yes, sir,” she murmured, eyes on her plate.

“And what duty would that be Father?” Helena asked smoothly. Her smirk widened. “Other than keeping William's bed warm?” 

“Helena,” Olivia snapped, scandalized.

“What?” Helena's shoulders lifted in feigned innocence. “We're all thinking it.” 

Edward ignored the exchange, his focus fixed on Anna. “A Fairchild bride bears heirs. You're young, healthy, and as of now, childless. That must change. The continuation of this family's name is paramount.” 

Anna's fork stilled, her pulse racing. She swallowed hard. “I—”

“Do not stutter,” Katherine cut in sharply. “Clarity is a virtue. You must learn it if you are to represent us.” 

“Speaking of representation,” Edward spoke up again.

“The Fairchild name carries weight Anna. That means composure. Strength. You cannot cry your way through society and expect to be respected.” 

Daniel chuckled under his breath,his eyes never leaving her. “Strength can take many forms, uncle. Some men find timidity… alluring.” 

Anna shifted uncomfortably under the weight of his gaze. Camille looked mortified, but Daniel leaned back in his chair, lips curling.

Oliver groaned, tossing his fork down. “Good God, can she breathe for five minutes before you all decide her womb's a public matter?”

“Oliver,” Katherine said warningly.

“No, Mother,” Oliver pressed. “You brought her in here like a lamb for breakfast interrogation, and the first thing you demand is an heir? You should at least let William in on the conversation. She won't get herself pregnant.” 

Olivia's hand brushed Anna's beneath the table. That single gesture, brought Anna a bit of comfort.

“Oliver's right,” she said gently. “Anna's barely settled. She should be given time.” 

Margaret's words from yesterday still rang in Anna's head… fraud, disgrace, stain. And now here she was, dissected over eggs and tea like a broodmare.

Edward's gaze sharpened. Time is a luxury this family does not entertain. William is the heir. You are his wife. That is your station.”

Daniel chuckled low, the sound dark. “If William isn't eager to fill that station, perhaps it speaks volumes.”

The table went taunt.

“Daniel.” Camille's voice said quietly. Her eyes flashed, but he only smirked, swirling his wine though it was still morning.

Anna's cheeks burned. She wished the ground would open beneath her.

Helena's laugh tinkled lightly. “Perhaps William realized too late that the wrong Lancaster sister ended up in his bed.”

“Helena!” Olivia's voice rose, protective and fierce.

Anna's stomach clenched, her appetite gone.

“Her main focus should be heirs,” Katherine insisted, setting her teacup down. “It is after all, a wife's foremost duty.”

Anna's cheeks pinked.

“She hardly looks ready for such responsibilities,” Helena cut in “ I can't imagine someone so weak… raising the next Fairchild generation. Tragic.”

Anna's chest tightened.

“Let's leave her to adjust, Helena,” Olivia says firmly. “Not everyone thrives on cruelty as you do.”

Helena smiled, unbothered. “Cruelty? I only speak the truth.”

Katherine's lips thinned, but she still did not rebuke her daughter. “William made his choice,” she said coolly. “It is already done. Anna you must simply rise to it.” 

Her throat aches. Her hands trembled in her lap. She wanted to melt into the marble floors and never resurface.

Then Olivia's voice broke through again, bright, deliberate.

“Anna,” she said suddenly, pushing her chair back, “why don't I take you on a tour of the house? You've hardly seen half of it yet.”

The shift startled everyone. Edward frowned, Katherine's brows rose, Helena smirked knowingly. But Olivia rose anyway, tugging Anna gently by the hand.

“Come,” she urged. “Before they start asking you about your cooking skills too.”

She blinked, surprised, then allowed herself to be pulled away.

********

The corridors hummed with relief once the dining hall was behind them.

“Don't mind them,” Olivia said, her voice quick and warm. “They're like vultures at mealtime. If it weren't you, it would've been me.” 

Anna gave a weak laugh. “You don't mean that.”

“I do,” Olivia grinned. “Helena especially… she thrives on the taste of misery. Don't give her the satisfaction. You're better than she is.”

Anna's chest loosened slightly. For the first time since entering the mansion, she felt something like comfort.

They walked until the air smelled of hay and leather. The stables stretched before them, beams of golden light cutting through wooden slats. Horses whickered softly, their coats gleaming.

Anna's breath caught.

“They're beautiful, “ she whispered.

Olivia smiled, clearly pleased at her reaction. “You like horses?”

“I love them,” Anna admitted, her voice softening. 

“When I was little, I used to wish for one every birthday. I always wanted a white horse… pure, shining, like something out of a dream. Everyone knew it… even Lauren. They'd laugh at me for never letting the wish go,” She let out a small, self-conscious laugh.

Her steps slowed as her gaze landed on the far stall.

There, framed in shafts of light, stood the most exquisite white mare she had ever seen. Its mane was silk, its coat gleamed like snow. The creature turned its head, eyes dark and intelligent, as though it had been waiting.

Anna drifted closer, her hand trembling as it met the horse's warm muzzle. The mare snorted softly, leaning into the touch.

“She's perfect,” Anna breathed, wonder shimmering in her voice. “What's her name?” 

Olivia's expression softened, but there was sadness there too.

“Liora,” she said. “William named her. He bought her as a wedding gift.”

Anna's heart fluttered painfully. She strokes the mare's neck, her smile fragile. “For me?” 

Olivia hesitated. Then her voice dropped.

“No. It's… for Lauren.”

The world seemed to tilt.

Anna's hand froze on the horse's coat, the truth sinking deep like a stone in water. 

Her wish, her childhood dream, had been given… just not to her. Always Lauren. Always first.

Her eyes burned, but she forced the tears back, pressing her face briefly into the mare's mane so Olivia wouldn't see.

The white horse shifted softly beneath her touch, but the ache in Anna's chest only deepened.

Even here, even in her dreams, even in death, she was a substitute.

Another heartbreaking thought suddenly flooded Anna's mind.

Could it be Lauren that William was talking about last night?

Or someone else she didn't know?