THORNS OF LOVE

THE COST OF INHERITANCE

Investigations were still on going, the police were determined to find out the cause of the accident. The autopsy report was inconclusive . Detective thinks it was an attempted suicide. The car that Mr and Mrs Gulliver, who are the deceased parents of Elizabeth, was driven downwards into a cliff ; it was upturned before hitting a tree trunk . The car brakes were checked, it was in perfect conditions. The bodies could not be identified because the car was engulfed in flames, only the licensed car number was identified.

Elizabeth, Samantha and Roselin went to the police station to inquire about any leads in the investigation. Elizabeth kept feeling uneasy; she felt something was off. She couldn't speak out because she was still seen as a little child. Her dreams became constant; she was having difficulty sleeping, she kept wondering what her parents needed saving from. On the other hand Samantha went along with them because she was tired of the whole process, she wants the attention Elizabeth was getting. She also overheard her parents talking about closing the cases because it has reached a state of inconclusiveness , they felt there was no need to keep investigation ongoing. She was happy because she would see the expression on Elizabeth face when everyone stopped fawning over her.

In the police station, Samantha and Elizabeth waited at the front desk. Roselin went on to see the sheriff who was in charge of overseeing the case. Sheriff offered Roselin his condolences and also a cup of coffee. Looking around the office, Roselin smiled at the sheriff as she accepted the coffee. The sheriff desk was neatly arranged with a laptop on it, she stared at him the whole time especially when he was making her a cup of coffee, she looked as his plump lips as he spoke. She could not stop fawning over his masculine structure. His voice was like a deep rumbling volcano ready to erupt. He was arousing all her feminine instincts. "Mrs.Roselin, are you okay?" The sheriff asked, Roselin came back to reality, she shook her head and tears welled up in her eyes, she sobbed a little. "I was just thinking of how one's life is so fragile, and how everyone is going to died someday." The sheriff felt empathy for her, he knew how hard it was for one to lose one's family. Roselin damped her eyes with a tissue, took a sip of the coffee and apologized for being absent minded. The sheriff continued " your husband, Mr Paul called and said I should close the case." Roselin nodded weakly. " I will like to suggest that Elizabeth be put in therapy and also there is this group that helps one get through the pain of losing a loved one, I recommend it for her." He picks up a pamphlet and hands it to Roselin. Roselin accepted it making sure their hands touched, she pulled her hands quickly and tugged her hair between her ear. She spoke," I will like to thank you and your team sincerely for helping me and my family, I will like to get your contact. In case I or anyone remembers something." They both exchange contact. Roselin politely declined the request of the sheriff to walk her to the door. She walked in the corridor alone and had a thought; she would never let Elizabeth go to a group or therapy. She would not be easy to manipulate if she as to attend any of this things.

Elizabeth was sad when she found out that the case was closed, she couldn't imagine why. She felt so bad that her parents would not be getting justice of any form. The ride home felt like a million miles to Elizabeth, she was mentally exhausted. She had difficulties eating, sleeping, and making conversations with people. She felt detached, the only words people spoke to her was " accept my condolences, I know how you feel." They all did not know how she felt. She felt anger, she felt weak and pathetic. If they really knew how she felt they would bring her parents back to life or help them get justice. She knew deep down that they would never kill themselves, something happened to them.

Later on that day, Elizabeth was called into the drawing room by her uncle. She was surprised because her uncle does business transactions only in the drawing room. No family member was allowed into the room. Nervous, Elizabeth walked into the room, her uncle sat behind a desk wearing a dark suit with a liquor glass at his left hand a cigar in his lips support with his right hand. He took deep puffs from of his cigar. "Elizabeth have a seat, you must be wondering why I call for you." Elizabeth sat down opposite her uncle. He stood up dropping his glass of liquor but holding on to his cigar while taking puffs from it. He goes towards the window and stare outside for a while. " Elizabeth, you must know that I miss my brother, who is your father , very much. His death is like a stinging pain in my chest, I watched him grow, I took care of him beause he was my little baby brother. Who would have thought that life would cruelly take him away from me." She looked down at her sweaty palms, locked her fingers together and stared blankly at it. " I will be a father to you that I promise you. You will be my little princess, I will love and care for you just like my brother did ." Tears dropped from Elizabeth's eyes, she was dumfounded. She really wanted to say she wanted her real father and not a father figure. She wanted to go home. She really would love to wake up from this nightmare and see her family. She cleaned her tears and looked up to her uncle, she said thank you with a forced smile . Paul ( her uncle) looked at her with a sad eyes, he wished he could say something to make his little niece feel better but he knew better. Anything he says will be pointless, she needed to grieve in order to move on .

" I called you here to talk about your inheritance and custody" , Paul said. Elizabeth had had a bored expression on her face. 'Custody', my parents are the only custodian I want, she thought to herself. She needed air, she craved nothing more than to be buried alone side her parents. Everyday that passes without them was pure torture. " You are also going to start a new school, you won't be going to your old school." Elizabeth looked at her interlocked hands, she felt things were moving too fast, she lost her parents now she was going to lose her friends too. She kept thinking, 'did I do something wrong '. She kept wondering if she was being punished for a crime. She would love to atone and get her life back to how it was before bad things started happening.

"What do you say Elizabeth, are you okay with my arrangements" . Elizabeth was at lost for words, she zoned out while her uncle was speaking. Sir! Elizabeth have you not been listening to me? That is very rude of you. I am an elder and you should show respect to me. I hate when I have to repeat myself. "I am so sorry", Elizabeth murmured. I would let your insolence go this time, I hope there will not be a next time. Like I was saying, " I would advise you to stay with me, you are familiar with my wife and I. Samantha is a sister to you." He paused, dusted ashes off his suit, placed his hand into his pocket. He was exuding air of dominance. Elizabeth, I want you to know that any thing you choose now will determine your future. Other family members will want to take custody of you solely because of your inheritance, cause, where were they when you were growing up. Some of them do not know what you looked like before the burial. You are meeting most of them for the very first time.

Elizabeth was trying her best not to zone out while her uncle was still talking, she did not want to get on her uncle's wrong side. She was bored with all the talks. The other day one of her aunts who she hadn't seen before walked up to her and was wiping profusely, liquid dropping from it as well . She was a mess. The only reason the aunt walked up to her was to introduce her self as Aunt Ciara, she wanted to know how I was fairing. She also brought up the topic of my inheritance and custody. She said, she would be the best person for me to live with. She kept telling me different desirable qualities she possess. Like that wasn't enough, Aunty Laura also came forth to win me over to her side.

She looked around the drawing room, it was quite exquisite. The curtains were drawn, the fabric should be silk, cream color with flower embroidery. Uncle's chair looked so comfy, it has golden edges , the rest was polished brown with golden edges to match the chair. Elizabeth noticed that most of the items were made of gold , the all were looking sophisticated and glamorous.

Elizabeth tried thinking of whom she would be comfortable living with aside her parents. She came to only one name Uncle Paul, reason was that she knew him , she loves Samantha and Aunt Roselin was so good to her and treated her like a daughter.

"Elizabeth, what do you think? Are you okay with my arrangements?" Paul looked at her direction his brow slightly raised expecting an affirmation. Elizabeth nodded her head in agreement. She had zoned out again. Uncle will be very angry if he finds out that she wasn't listening to him. " I am glad you agreed to my arrangements, my lawyer will be here tomorrow and you will sign some documents." Elizabeth, it is really not appropriate to answer an adult with a nod, you should speak up next time when you are asked a question."

Elizabeth was getting uncomfortable, the smoke from her uncle's cigar was choking, her uncle's constant nagging was insufferable. He speaks to her then looks outside the window for a while, taking puffs from his cigar and dusting the ashes off his suit.

Paul gazed out of the window, a sense of joy and contentment filling his heart. He couldn't help but feel a surge of satisfaction in his own abilities, knowing that he had successfully manipulated Elizabeth into handing over her inheritance to him. Despite the weight of his financial troubles and the burden of his mounting debts, Paul managed to keep up appearances and conceal the truth about his bankruptcy. His cunning and deceitful actions had secured him a temporary reprieve, allowing him to bask in the glow of his ill-gotten gains.

"Elizabeth, you can return to your room now. I will call for you when the lawyer is around, rest well and uncle love you." Elizabeth stood up head bowed and whispered a thank you to her uncle. She moved swiftly toward the door and headed for her room. She felt drained of all energy, Who would have thought that talking to uncle would make me restless and stressed?

Samantha was pacing in her room. She couldn't understand why everyone was so focused on Elizabeth, her parents were dead already. It has been months already. She felt that Elizabeth was taking all the love and attention of her parents from her. Their focus was solely on Elizabeth.

A servant came knocking on Samantha's door informing her that her presence was requested by her father. Samantha was elated, she had not spoken to her father in a while. He was always working and not available to see or speak with her. Happily, Samantha hurried to the drawing room to meet her father. Her mother was out for a social function. Samantha rushed towards her dad and gave him a hug , smiling up at him.

Paul smiled at Samantha and requested her to take a seat. "I called on you to give you some instructions." "I want you to be extra nice to Elizabeth until the signing of the paper is done. I don't want her changing her mind or being brainwashed by other relatives lurking around." Samantha felt heartbroken, she was so happy to see her father but all he cared about was Elizabeth and who she ends up living with. He didn't even ask of her well-being. She hadn't seen him for a while, he came home only because Elizabeth's parents died. She felt jealous . All the attention and care were for Elizabeth only, nothing for her. No one cares about her.

Samantha looked up to her father, longing in her eyes, she wished he would show a little bit of concern or care, just a little bit of love was all she asked for . She felt the burning sensation of rage spreading rapidly around her chest. She smiled and assured her father that she would carry out his instructions just as he had ordered. Before leaving, Samantha took a look at her father who was staring out the window, waiting for a fatherly show of affection. She left his presence feeling empty. She would make Elizabeth feel the way she felt. She would do anything to make her parents look at her with love and compassion.