Dorinda quietly pushed open the door to the study and found Theo slouched in an armchair, a half-empty bottle of whiskey on the table beside him. His tie was loosened, and his eyes were clouded with frustration and pain.
She stepped inside softly. "Theo…"
He didn't even look at her. "Not now, Dorinda. Please."
She walked closer, her voice low, gentle, like a knife wrapped in velvet. "I know you're hurting... I am, too. I just didn't know how to tell you earlier."
Theo turned his face slowly toward her. "Tell me what?"
Dorinda hesitated, then sat on the armrest beside him. "Dorothy. She's... she's not who you think she is, Theo."
His brows furrowed. "What are you talking about?"
"She's not innocent," Dorinda said, her voice trembling. "She had an affair with several men. One of them was Denmark."
Theo straightened up instantly, a storm flashing in his eyes. "What?!"
"I didn't want to say anything," she said quickly, hands wringing. "But I saw them. So many times. He used to climb the roof at night... to get into her room. I saw them, Theo. I saw them... they used to—" she choked, then looked away as though pained. "She let him... they used to make love. She moaned so loud... he used to drive her wild."
Theo's face turned red with rage. The glass in his hand shattered as he dropped it.
"I have to talk to Dad."
He stormed out of the study and went straight to his father, holding nothing back. "Dad, is it true? About Denmark? About Dorothy?"
Mr. Josh looked up from his newspaper, startled. "What are you talking about?"
"Dorinda said she had a relationship with him—secret, at night. That he would climb into her room, and they were... together." His voice broke slightly. "Tell me it's not true."
Mr. Josh stood, face pale with disbelief. "That's absurd. Denmark was like a son to me... but Dorothy? No, not her. I don't believe it."
"Then ask Dorinda. She swears she saw them," Theo said, voice trembling with pain and anger.
Mr. Josh called for Dorinda. She entered the living room, feigning hesitance, and then began to cry before even being questioned.
"Is it true, Dorinda?" Mr. Josh asked sternly.
"Yes… Yes, Uncle," she sobbed. "I saw it with my own eyes. He used to sneak in... through the roof. I kept quiet all these years because she's my sister. But I can't anymore. She... she hates me. She always has. But I still love her. I just want her to be happy and... love me back."
Tears streamed down her face as she fell to her knees.
Mrs. Sarah rushed to her. "Don't cry, dear. Please. It's not good for your condition. Come, go to bed before you trigger a crisis."
"Yes, Aunt," Dorinda whispered, voice trembling. She turned to leave, casting one last glance behind her to see the shadows of pain in Theo's face—and the deep, disapproving silence that hung over the room like smoke.
Mr. Josh stood frozen in disbelief. Mrs. Sarah shook her head with pity.
"I'm so disappointed," she murmured.
"Me too," Theo echoed hollowly. "You have no idea how upset I am."
But in the corner of the hall, as she passed the staircase, Dorinda paused, her face dry, her lips curled in a wicked, satisfied smile.
—
Dorothy and Nathaniel walked slowly through the garden, the late afternoon sun casting golden streaks across the flowers. The gentle rustling of leaves and the distant chirping of birds gave the air a quiet charm.
"Isn't this place beautiful?" Dorothy said softly, stopping to cradle a delicate bloom in her fingers. "I love this flower. It's so simple… and still so alive."
Nathaniel watched her, surprised by the tenderness in her eyes. "I never thought a woman like you would enjoy nature this much."
She turned, raising a brow. "What do you mean, a woman like me?"
"I mean… strong, confident, elegant. You strike me as someone used to the finer things."
She smiled, amused. "I may appear strong, but I'm far simpler than I look. I love nature, it's calm, it's true."
"And you think you could live somewhere without all the luxury you're used to?" he asked, curious.
"Why not?" she shrugged. "If my husband, let's say, were a contractor who had to travel to remote sites… of course, I'd go with him."
He chuckled. "For your dignity, not for love?"
She shook her head, firm and honest. "No. For love."
"Have you ever been in love before?"
Dorothy looked away thoughtfully. "Not really. Maybe once… but not the way people talk about it. Men often get intimidated by me, or they think I'm too far out of reach. I don't know."
Nathaniel smiled. "That's what drives me crazy about you."
"Really?"
"Yes. I think I'm falling in…"
"What?" she teased, leaning in. "Go ahead, finish your sentence."
"Oh, come on, Dorothy, you can say whatever you want to say," he said, laughing.
"Just admit it," she said gently. "That you're falling in love with me."
Nathaniel reached for her hand. "My life has been painfully boring. Ever since my parents died, I've buried myself in work. I don't know how to say things like that easily."
"Then I'll teach you," Dorothy said with a soft laugh. "You start by saying, 'I love you.' Just like that."
He smiled, then grew serious. "Dorothy… I meant what I told your uncle. I want to marry you. You can set the date."
"What?" she blinked. "Nathaniel, it's too soon. We don't even know each other that well yet."
"I know. But I'm not playing around. I don't know how to flirt or date casually. I just know that I want you."
"And how can you say you want to marry me when you can't even say you love me?" she asked with a mischievous smirk. "Shouldn't I be your girlfriend first… or at least your fiancée?"
He hesitated, then said quietly, "I'm sorry. I guess I'm just… a serious man. And saying those words, it's hard for me."
Dorothy stepped closer and kissed him gently, with warmth and meaning. He kissed her back, slowly, deeply.
When they pulled away, she whispered, "Didn't I answer you with that kiss?"
He looked at her, eyes burning with emotion.
"I really like you, Nathaniel. A lot. And I'd love to know you better. I'd love to be your wife someday."
"So… that's a yes?" he asked, breathless.
"Yes," she said, eyes shining. "It's a yes."