Chapter 15
Franz returned home past midnight.
He didn’t mean to come home late, but his meeting ran longer than he expected.
The house was dark, save for the small lamp on in the living room. The twins were already asleep upstairs. He regretted not being able to accompany them earlier to see Arianne.
He knew Arianne had extended her stay in Montclair only for him, but she was bound to leave sooner or later. If possible, he wanted to see her more before she left. Who knew when he would be able to see her again?
Franz loosened his tie and draped his coat over the back of a chair he had forgotten to push in earlier. On the kitchen counter sat a half-empty donut box and a scorched pan he still hadn’t figured out how to clean properly.
He stared at it for a moment longer than necessary.
“You burned it again,” Samantha said from the couch. “You are hopeless p>
Franz didn’t turn around. “I didn’t mean to p>
“I know p>
Franz faced her this time. He found her seated on the couch, shoes kicked off, her coat draped carelessly over the armrest. Her phone lay face-down on the coffee table.
He moved closer and sat across from her.
“Why are you still here? You could have left them with their nanny p>
Samantha met his gaze. “Because I needed to tell you something in person p>
His posture stiffened almost imperceptibly.
“What happened?” he asked with apprehension.
Samantha didn’t rush. Instead, she leaned back slightly, studying his face as if gauging how much he could take.
“The twins did something today,” she started.
Franz frowned. “Did they cause any trouble for Arianne p>
Samantha exhaled softly. “Perhaps p>
Franz knitted his brows together. “What did they do p>
“They prepared handmade slides,” Samantha said. “A full proposal p>
Franz stared at her with confusion.
“A proposal for what p>
Waiting for Samantha to answer was killing him.
“They asked her to marry you,” Samantha answered without batting an eyelid.
The silence that followed was expected. Franz froze in his seat. He looked at Samantha as if she’d suddenly grown another head over her shoulders.
He opened his mouth to say something, but realized his mind was unable to come up with an appropriate response.
Was it possible to die from too much embarrassment?
Franz ran his hand over his face.
He was mortified that his niece and nephew would do such a thing behind his back. Just where did they get that idea?
“That was inappropriate,” he said finally.
Samantha nodded. “That’s what I thought too p>
“Why would they do such a thing?” Franz asked in frustration.
He didn’t think he would have a face to show to Arianne at their next meeting after what the twins had done.
“They were trying to get her involved with your company,” Samantha said carefully. “They were trying to make her stay p>
Franz caught her staring at him. Their previous conversation flashed in his mind.
“I didn’t tell them anything,” he said in defense.
Samantha let out a laugh. “I know p>
She knew Franz wasn’t planning to make a move or confess to Arianne.
“I should have realized what they were thinking. I couldn’t have stopped them p>
Samantha shrugged.
“You can’t possibly be there for them 24/7, Franz. You are busy trying to keep your life from collapsing, including theirs p>
Franz ran a hand through his hair.
“What did Arianne say p>
“She didn’t give them an answer p>
That brought his eyes to her.
“Arianne listened,” Samantha continued, “She asked questions. She didn’t laugh, dismiss, or get angry with them p>
“That doesn’t mean she wasn’t pressured.” Franz pointed out.
Samantha frowned. “You really think that little of her, Franz p>
He stiffened. “You know that’s not what I meant p>
Samantha twirled a lock of hair with her forefinger as she pondered.
“You are afraid she’ll feel obligated p>
“Yes,” He didn’t hesitate this time. “That’s exactly what I’m afraid of p>
Franz leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees.
“I never wanted to be another man who needed something from her p>
“She suffered enough burdens in her life,” he continued. “I wasn’t going to add myself to that weight.
“You didn’t,” Samantha agreed. “You’ve been quiet for a long time p>
“That was the point p>
“Was it?” she countered.
Franz had no answer to that.
“You’ve loved her since the day you met her. You loved her when she got engaged to another man. You loved her when she lost everything.” Samantha went on. “And you loved her enough not to say a word p>
“What am I supposed to do, Sam? You want me to lay bare my heart before her and make her feel guilty for breaking it p>
“It’s not your place to decide how she should react.” Samantha countered him. “Keeping your silence all of these years makes you afraid p>
Franz let out a slow breath.
“You’re right. I was afraid that if I said anything, she’d feel responsible for my feelings p>
“And now?” Samantha asked.
“Now I’m afraid she’ll think staying is her job p>
Samantha fell silent, thinking that at least Franz was honest with himself.
“The twins didn’t do this to trap her, you know,” she said after a moment. “They did it because things keep changing, and they are afraid everyone would leave them p>
Franz swallowed. It’s not like he didn’t understand the twins’ fear after his older brother and sister-in-law’s deaths.
He didn’t expect the twins to develop an instant attachment to Arianne after meeting her once at the funeral.
He supposed it was a common trait of the Rocheforts after all. Meeting Arianne was enough for them to be drawn to her.
“What if she says yes because she feels she has to?” he asked quietly.
“And what if she says no?” Samantha quickly countered.
His jaw tightened.
“Then I lose her anyway p>
Samantha was starting to feel frustrated with him. Can’t he tell that the twins had just given him an opening, a chance to be with Arianne after all these years of hopelessness?
“You won’t take what isn’t freely given p>
“I would never. If I want to be with her, shouldn’t I work hard to earn that right p>
Samantha watched him quietly.
She realized wanting had never been Franz’s problem.
It was the waiting that defined him—and the fear that even waiting might not be enough.
She stood and reached for her coat.
“Then do that,” she said gently. “Earn it p>
Franz didn’t move.
He allowed himself to hope that Arianne would choose—not because she had to, but because she wanted to.