"Motherhood suits you, Jessica," Adam said.

Jessica looked up at him from where she sat on the blanket in the shade of the oak tree. The wind blew her hair and swept it across her face. Adam let Samuel slide from his back, and then lay on his side on the blanket beside her, supporting himself on one elbow.

Even though he had been treating her well she had avoided being alone with him as much as possible. Jessica had given a lot of thought to what he had said. She knew she would never see Louis again and realised that she did need to be supported if she wanted the best for her child, but knew deep in her heart, that it would take a long time for her to give in to Adam. Oh, she knew many woman married men for convenience, and then had to endure having their bodies used by these men. No matter how hard she'd tried to convince herself that she could do it the thought of having Adam near her in this way made her feel ill and empty. Happiness for her was holding her daughter and looking into her beautiful blues eyes, which she had inherited from her father.

"And are you well?" Adam asked.

Jessica ignored the question and busied herself with her baby. She wrapped the blanket tighter to protect her from the wind.

"I asked you a question, Jessica." Adam reached out and pulled the hair from her face. "I'd like an answer."

Knowing why he asked this question, Jessica kept her eyes on the baby and shook her head. "No." She swallowed the lump in her throat. "I need more time." She closed her eyes as a dull throb started a rhythm in her head.

"I grow impatient." Adam sighed as he ran his fingers down her arm.

"I can't do it." Jessica shrank from his touch. "I'm sorry, Adam. I just can't do it. I know others do but I have loved and know what it's like to be loved equally. How could you possibly want this knowing I would be thinking of another?"

Adam sat up and took hold of her wrist. "I'm trying really hard to not get angry with you." He dragged in a large breath of air, and then released her seeing the red ring he'd made on her skin. "I'm sorry." Adam looked into the distance, and then back at her. "It's good enough for me. With time you'll forget him and only see me. It will be my touch you desire. You just have to open your mind to me."

Could she? Jessica stared at him. After all he'd done to her. She looked down at her baby. If he hadn't sent her away she'd have never met Louis and wouldn't be holding his child in her arms. Instead she'd probably be sitting here at this very moment with Adam's child in her arms. She looked back up at him. He was showing a lot of patience with her and he was a very good looking man. Perhaps she would forget Louis in time.

"I'll give you two more weeks. In this time I want you to open your mind and heart to me. Please." He paused and ran his finger across her cheek. "If you do this you'll be more receptive to my touch." Adam smiled and touched her baby's head with the same gentleness. "I want your daughter and my sons to be connected by blood. Another child by our bodies union will do this."

Jessica stared at him wide-eyed. Desperation caught her in its grip. She had no choice. It seemed that this was her destiny. Had always been her destiny.

"I can see the truth has dawned on you." Adam cupped her chin and leaned toward her. "Do as I ask, Jessica. Let me in. Let me be master of my house and all within it. I'll treat you well. Your daughter will have a father and my sons will have a mother." Adam looked into her eyes and whispered, "Let me hear you say you will."

Tears rolled down her face as he put his lips to hers.

"I'll do as you ask."

"I can't hear you, Jessica."

"I will obey you."

"And who am I?"

"Master, you are the Master."

"Good, we understand each other."

"Yes," she whispered against his lips.

"Yes what," Adam murmured.

"I'll open my heart and my mind to you."

"Good," he sighed and kissed her mouth.

"Adam!" Millie screeched. "Have you no respect?"

Adam released Jessica and turned to face his wife who stood unsteadily glaring down at them. "Respect for whom, Millie?"

"I am your wife. I have put up with you flaunting one whore in front of me. I should not have to put up with another!"

"Hannah was no whore and she was more than a mistress to me." Adam got to his feet. "She was more my wife than you have ever been. Now she's dead."

"What of me?" Millie thrust her head forward and screamed, "I'm your wife!"

"I tried, Millie." Adam shrugged. "You seduced me. Threatened to tell your father I dishonoured you, even though you came to me willingly, so I was forced to marry you. You framed me for the theft of your mother's diamond broach then turned it on me so I had to go along with your plan to frame Jessica instead." Adam shook his head in disgust. "I admit I'm a weak man; was a weak man. I didn't want to face being sent to the colonies. Because of you I put Jessica through hell." Adam turned to face Jessica with tears in his eyes. "I'm so sorry I did that. So sorry that I was so weak but I promise you I am no longer that man." He faced Millie once more. "Did you hear me, Millie? I am no longer that weak man but still I am stuck with you because you won't divorce me because your family no longer want to have anything to do with you." He took a threatening step forward. "So here's what we'll do. You shall shut your mouth and stay out of my sight if you want to continue living here."

Millie's face turned red. She clawed at her dress. "I hate you, Adam! I shall destroy everyone you care about!"

Adam thrust his finger at her. "You lay one hand on a child of mine and you shall live to regret it!"

Millie burst into hysterical laughter. "And how do you propose to stop me? Besides, your children are not a threat to me. In fact I quite like them and could grow quite fond of them now I have disposed of their mother but don't push me." She laughed again when she saw his face turn white. "As you said, you're a weak man. I'll do the same to your other play thing if you do not stop this shame you continue to force upon me."

Adam moved quickly and caught Millie by the throat. "What did you say?"

Millie tittered, "Oh...I see I still have some power to affect you my dear husband."

Adam added pressure to his grip, cutting her laughter short. "What did you do to Hannah?"

Millie took hold of his hand and tried to release it. "She deserved what I did to her!" she gasped as she struggled against him.

Adam's body trembled. The veins in his hands and neck extended.

"Don't! Adam!" Millie's eyes widened as she sucked in short sharp gasps of air. "Please...I! Did it! For you! She was...poisoning you! Just! As...Jessica did and...is...doing again..!"

"What did you do to Hannah?" Adam's face appeared to be made of stone as he held her in his vice like grip.

"Please...Adam," Millie rasped.

Jessica laid her baby on the blanket beside sleeping Jack and shot to her feet. "Adam!" She put her hand on his wrist. "Don't do this!"

His eyes had turned completely black. Jessica wasn't sure if he was even registering what she was saying as he looked at her blankly. "Adam, this is not the way, please release her."

Millie, her eyes had begun to bulge, her lips turned a light shade of blue. Jessica tugged on his arm again. "Adam. You're killing her!"

He let go and stood staring at his hand and then looked down at Millie now lying on the ground gasping for breath and clutching her throat. Adam took a breath, smiled and nodded at Jessica. He put his hand to her cheek. "Thank you. Please go back to the children."

When she was out of harm's way he reached down, took hold of the hair at the back of Millie's head and pulled her to her knees. "What did you do to Hannah? Tell me now or I will kill you."

"I pushed her," Millie sobbed as she gulped in air. "I pushed her down the stairs. I'm glad she's dead. I hated her just as I hate you!"

Adam clenched his teeth and closed his fist. He pulled it back, held it there for a moment and then let it fall to his side. He stepped back. "Get out of my life!" he raged. "If you wish to live you will get out of my life and give me the divorce I have asked for numerous times. God help me, Millie if I ever see you again. For I shall kill you!"

Jessica made to help Millie to her feet, though she also felt the hate Adam did for this woman, who had once been her friend.

"Leave her!" Adam took Jessica by the upper arm and pulled her away.

"Adam." Jessica looked up at him. "She needs help."

"I said leave her!" Adam stared down at her. "Haven't you heard any of what was just said? I might be a coward with a rotten core but this woman is pure evil." Adam lifted his lip in a sneer as he looked down at Millie and shook his head and then focused on Jessica. "Get your baby." He gave her a little push in the direction of the children and followed leaving Millie on the ground. Adam lifted Jack and called to Samuel. When Jessica had gathered her child from the blanket he lifted it and threw it over his shoulder. Holding Jack in one arm he led Jessica away with Samuel following.

Jessica looked back to see no remorse on Millie's face. He was right to leave her there so she walked with Adam and the children across the field.

Copyright © 2019 Donna Fieldhouse. All rights reserved.

So what do you think of that moment?

Do you feel sorry for Millie?

Lucky Jessica was there to stop Adam from choking her to death.

There are only two chapters to go plus an epilogue just to cover some unanswered questions you might have.

Thanks again for all your votes and comments. They truly make my day. xoxo