Chapter 44
44
Later in her room, after saying goodnight to Theo, Agnes thought about what he’d said and smiled to herself. The idea of them finally living together as a couple had always seemed to be a distant, unobtainable, dream to her but Theo seemed adamant it was now within their reach if they wanted it. And she did want it very much.
The still unopened envelope on the dressing table caught her eye and she picked it up. Absently she ran her finger under the seal. A final hateful message from Oscar? Or an apology from him for his treatment of her down the years? If she was a betting woman she’d put money on it not being the latter one. But a hateful message could simply be thrown away and forgotten. Should she do that? Leave it unopened and burn it? Non . She simply couldn’t do that.
As she took a folded piece of paper out of the envelope another piece of paper came out with it and fluttered to the ground. Without looking at it, she picked it up and placed it with the envelope on the dressing table. She opened the folded piece of paper and saw Oscar’s familiar handwriting and began to read the last letter to her from her dead husband.
To my wife, Agnes Agistini,
It is thanks to Zazz, my so called ‘granddaughter’, that I am able to write this letter. A strand of her hair was SO useful.
Cast your mind back to the week before our marriage – a marriage I know you longed to be free of from the beginning, which was why I never divorced you. That particular week I went for a long weekend in Monaco with my friends. My brother, although invited, refused to join us.
I had often wondered about Francine being a honeymoon baby, as everyone assumed.
Zazz arriving unexpectedly in my life provided me with the opportunity to discover the truth. The DNA results are enclosed.
Jasmine Mansell is not, not, I repeat, my granddaughter.
Which raises the question whose granddaughter is she, and more importantly – who was Francine’s father? Mon Dieu , that would be my brother, Theo, wouldn’t it? I always knew he was in love with you. Part of the reason I married you was to stop him having you.
Recently I have learnt that I have a son – something you were unable to give me. Under French law, as my illegitimate son, he will be entitled to my estate – you will get what the law stipulates the remaining spouse receives and Francine will get nothing.
I have enclosed the DNA results for you to see and give to the notaire, he will know how to proceed even though they were not done via the French court.
Oscar.
Trembling, Agnes reached out and took the piece of paper from the dressing table. After studying it for several moments, she replaced both it and Oscar’s letter in the envelope before sinking down onto the bed.
That special night in Antibes with Theo on the boat came into her mind. She’d never for one moment even dreamt that Francine had been conceived that night. She’d never given a thought that she might fall pregnant. All she’d known that night was that she loved Theo and wanted him.
How was he going to receive the news? She knew he adored Francine, had loved being in her life as her uncle but how would he react to learning that for the past fifty-three years he could have been so much more.
There was only one way to find out. First thing in the morning, she’d show him the letter and the evidence that Francine was his daughter, not Oscar’s. She could only pray that he would welcome the unexpected news.