Family Secrets
Lindsay
I still couldn't understand why Rachel had accepted that man's marriage proposal, who seemed to be a real scoundrel. However, I couldn't tell her what Ryan had told me, especially when we weren't sure of anything and he was trying to investigate the man's life further.
Now, I needed to convince my friend not to make any hasty decisions, at least until her brother uncovered the connection between Thompson and all the other events.
“Let's take it easy, Rachel” I tried to bring some reason to her impulsive mind. “If you want to marry Thompson, that's okay, but there's no need to rush into it. Joseph has been wonderful to us, and I'll work for you for as long as necessary.”
I noticed Rachel was about to argue with my words, but before she could say anything, my phone rang. It was one of the house security guards, informing me that Enrico's mother wanted to speak to Joseph.
“Who?” I asked in surprise.
I was genuinely shocked when the guard confirmed what I was reluctant to believe, as I had never heard Enrico's mother's name mentioned before, leading me to believe she must have been dead. However, she was very much alive and wanted to pay a visit.
I was at a loss for words for a moment, especially because Joseph had been holed up in his room all day. I had gone there several times, and while he showed great concern for Rachel, he didn't move from his spot near the window, gazing out at the garden thoughtfully.
“Please ask her to come in” I finally responded.
Despite my uncertainty about whether I was making the right decision, something told me it was better to allow her to come in.
“Who's the visitor?” Rachel asked, showing interest. “You seem nervous.”
“Enrico's mother is at the gate” I explained.
Rachel seemed as incredulous as I was with the information, and I shared with my friend what I was thinking.
“Could Enrico's mother's sudden appearance be the reason he was so strange last night?” Rachel suggested an idea that made complete sense.
“I don't know. But I have a feeling Joseph will tell us why his ex seems to be a forbidden subject and why she's back.” I concluded.
Rebecca needed to rest, and I asked her to stay calm in her bed while I hurried towards Joseph's room. Before that, I informed the other household staff about the visit and instructed them where to direct the visitor after answering the door.
“I will receive her” Joseph affirmed, which didn't surprise me.
He seemed to have aged considerably in just one day, which worried me. I even thought about suggesting he shouldn't do it, but quickly dismissed the idea. After all, I'm just a maid in that house and shouldn't meddle in my employers' lives.
That doesn't mean I can't notify Enrico that his mother is present and that his father doesn't seem well in the situation. While Joseph stepped away to the bathroom for some reason, I took the opportunity to send Enrico a message detailing just that.
**Message to Enrico:** I'm coming back right away.
I might be wrong, but that simple phrase had a deep meaning to me. It seemed Enrico was far from pleased upon hearing about his mother's visit. He had left the mansion less than half an hour ago and was already willing to return, despite being upset with Rachel. Enrico hadn't shared anything with me about the matter, but I would venture to say he left feeling hurt by Rachel, as she dismissed him to continue talking with Thompson. Moreover, he probably inferred she would accept the marriage proposal, given his negative opinion of my friend.
“Come on, girl — Joseph said as he emerged from the bathroom, bringing me back to the present. “Help me get to the living room. I'm feeling a bit tired today.”
I thought about offering the wheelchair in the corner of the room. After all, when Joseph felt exhausted, he didn't hesitate to use it, relinquishing his independence. However, I realized he preferred to walk, perhaps to avoid his ex-wife seeing him in a wheelchair, at least that was the impression I got.
"Let's... I'll help you, yes."
Joseph moved slowly, and I followed closely, serving more as a safety support than anything else, with his arm firmly leaning on mine. As I anticipated, the door had been opened by one of the household staff, who also guided the visitor to the living room. There, she waited seated in a visibly tense posture.
As expected, Joseph soon detached himself from the semicircle formed by my arm, adopting a serious stance as he confronted the woman with evident resentment in his eyes. Upon noticing our presence, the woman also stood up quickly.
"What are you doing here again, Dorothy?" Joseph questioned immediately. "I've already informed Enrico of your return, and if he wishes, he will seek you out. It's not for you to come to my house like this."
I thought about leaving and allowing them to have a more private conversation. After all, the matter seemed tense, considering how Joseph spoke to Enrico's mother. However, I noticed he was visibly upset, which made me fear that something bad might happen. This left me apprehensive and indecisive about the next step.
"I'm sure you didn't tell my son about me being in Seattle, Joseph," the woman retorted in the same tone, clearly nervous and agitated. "Enrico would have come looking for me!"
"I'll escort you out, Dorothy," I announced, about to leave.
"No, Lindsay," Joseph said with an imperative tone, stopping me from taking the first step. "I want you to accompany Dorothy to the door. She's leaving."
"I'm not leaving without talking to my son!" The woman shouted, sounding out of control, pointing her finger. "You can't prevent that, Joseph!"
"My son has shown no interest in seeing you. Be content with your place in Enrico's life."
"I need to see my son!"
"Now Enrico is your son? You didn't think so when you left with your lover and left him here with me, without a word for all these years."
"He's not even your son!"
Well, now I was truly shocked, my mouth hanging open wide enough to fit a bus through. Enrico wasn't Joseph's son? That was truly astonishing.
"You know perfectly well that blood ties have never been important to me, Dorothy," Joseph said in a tired and concerned tone, instinctively making me hold onto his arm. "I raised him the best way I could and consider him my son. Enrico is my son because that's how my heart feels. He's not Klaus Muller's son."
"But he's not your son!" She shouted again, and it was visibly painful for Joseph. "You knew I was having an affair with Klaus when I got pregnant with Enrico! He's my son, Joseph. MY SON!"
I thought about asking that woman to leave, as I was genuinely worried about Joseph. However, as I prepared to express exactly that, the presence of a fourth person in the room became evident at that moment.
Enrico was standing there, looking horrified from Joseph to his mother. There was no doubt he had heard at least the last part of the argument and had just found out shocked that he wasn't Joseph's son. He didn't know this fact either.
"Enrico!?" Dorothy spoke emotionally, tears filling her eyes. "Son, I need to talk to you so much!"
The few seconds that passed before Enrico could respond were deafening, leaving all of us in suspense waiting for his reaction to what he had just discovered. However, his response didn't truly surprise me.
"I'm listening, ma'am," he said coldly and extremely impersonally. "Go ahead."
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