A LITTLE TWIST OF FATE

Chapter 34

"How dare you do this to me," Vivienne shrieked. Her foot was moving so quickly, it was hard to keep track of.

"I've told you a hundred times, Mother, I cannot marry Danielle, not under these circumstances."

"And may I ask what those are exactly? I know that you've always loved her."

Alex shook his head. "Which is the reason that I will not do this, not under your orders anyway. I want to marry whom I want to marry, Mother, not someone that you've ordered me to spend my life with. I do love her, but I will not deceive her. She deserves better than me. Besides, you know Camille. You always have; we were children together. I have never heard you utter one single bad word about her. "

"She's just a physicians daughter, Alex. She's got nothing and can never be anything more than that. They frown on women as healers; you know this for a fact. She's got no property and no."

"No money, if that's what you are going to say. Oh yeah, and no Aunt Thérèse to contend with and no arguments and fights over who'll get what and whose supposed to inherit."

Vivienne looked surprised. The foot was still tapping as nervously as ever. "Is that all you can say? Is that what you think this whole thing is about?"

"Of course I do, Mother. Why else would you be kicking up such a fuss about my love life while your sister lies in the next room close to death? Don't you think that your priorities are a little mixed up?"

Vivienne finally stopped her tapping foot and glared at him. She was about to say something when Danielle burst in, still running and out of breath. Henry was following close behind.

She made her way to the closed door, only to be stopped by Armand. "You know you can't go in there, Danielle. Right now, stay close, though. You never know what will happen with cases like this."

"You mean, she will be fine?"

Armand shook his head. "I cannot say that for sure, milady. We will have to watch and wait. She's had a severe stroke and has lost a lot of blood."

"Come child," Henry said, taking her lightly by the shoulders. He led her over to where his father and mother stood.

"I don't know what I'll do without her, Henry. She and Antoinette raised me and gave me a home. She showered everything on me, she called me her little angel sent from heaven." Danielle hung her head and was on the verge of tears when Henry cupped her chin in his hand and pulled her head up. He stared into her eyes.

"You must remember that you will always have me, Danielle. I will be there for you from now on. There will never be a question and never a need to ask. I just pray that you forgive me for everything that's gone on before. Marry me, Danielle. I need my other half for without that, I can never be whole."

'Oh Henry," she cried. He let her lean against him and put his arms around her waist and soothed her when the pain became too great.

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