The Duke's Masked Wife

"Everyone's so worked up about Melanie while she gets to enjoy her time away from this crazy family. You should do the same," Clark suggested.

"Leave my child behind and never return or at least send a letter? That is what you want me to do?" Alessandra asked, reminding him of what her mother enjoying herself was like for her.

"I didn't mean it like that. I could never understand what your mother was thinking but I did know hearing from her own mouth that she was tired of being married to your father. It wasn't as exciting as she thought it would be or something. She felt in a box staying in Lockwood. You know what, she really gave me some hints she wanted to leave," Clark thought out loud as he looked back on their conversations.

"I could honestly have a good conversation with your mother whenever I came around. Not like how that witch talks to me," Clark looked behind them at the court where Katrina remained inside. "She would give me some change for a meal, drink, and ride home when your father was angry with me."

"Nothing happened to your mother. At least that I know of. Speaking to your father, he honestly had no idea where she went. Your mother seemed to have a plan for where she wanted to go and how she would get there without anyone following her. You don't have to worry about anyone in this family doing something to her. We're just as clueless as you are," Clark said, being truthful as no one had any reason to hurt Melanie.

"So, she just left because it was something she wanted for herself," Alessandra muttered.

"Listen, as someone practically surviving on my own I can say it is hard. Even though she had a plan, it wouldn't have been easy to take a young child with her. At that time, you were better in your father's care. Maybe she thinks you're living well without her and that's why she hasn't shown up. She might not know about your face or my brother's death yet. People outside this town won't care to speak about your father. People here hardly cared," Clark said as no one felt sad enough to give him money to cheer him up.

"It's still not enough to make me understand her not seeing me for so many years," Alessandra responded. Her mother could choose her happiness instead of staying in a marriage she didn't like but it wouldn't change the fact she forgot she had a daughter waiting for her.

"You don't have to. Mothers tend to forget about us when they are going after what they want. Be happy you don't have a mother who favors your brother over you and would like to see you in the ground instead of him. You know, I would be just as good as your father if our mother invested in me too. I had the potential but not the knowledge," Clark honestly admitted.

"I tried to compete with Desmond to make mother notice me and lost all of my money. My mother still owes me some of the inheritance she borrowed and gave to Desmond. That's why I am not going to let Katrina take what is meant for me. Am I pulling your heartstrings?" Clark leaned close to Alessandra.

"No, but I am understanding you a little bit. I prefer honesty over you always reaching out for something to gain. Why are you being honest with me?" Alessandra asked as it was a bit suspicious. "I have done nothing for you and you cannot say anything for me to help you get what you want from Katrina. As pleasant as this conversation is, it won't change what little of a relationship we have."

"Well, I have two big targets on my back so I am a dead man walking. Before that, I should at least act like your uncle for once. I am not looking for our relationship to get better or worse. If I had to, I would screw you over to make money," Clark said as that was what he planned to do today. "I am always going to look out for myself but I thought I would have a chat with you and Kate before things get messier."

"I see. It was nice talking to you one last time and thank you for telling me about my mother. Other than my grandmother, it is good to hear about my mother from someone else. I hope you can stop begging and turn yourself around. My father is not here for you to compete with him and there is nothing you have to prove to anyone else. I truly wish you the best. That doesn't mean you can ask for money," Alessandra quickly added when Clark opened his mouth.

"Seemed like the perfect moment to ask," Clark shrugged.

"It wasn't," Alessandra replied.

"Oh, I just remembered. There was some valley your mother wanted to visit if she ever got the chance to travel. I think there is a flower that only blooms once a year she wanted to paint. If you ever want to track her down, you should start there.  It's been so many years that I can't remember where else she wanted to go. She might have traveled far outside of this kingdom by now or dead for all we know," Clark said but he wanted to smack his face as soon as the last few words left his mouth.

"It is true she could be dead. The only person she kept in touch with was my grandmother but there aren't any recent letters. If my father left behind something in the will for me, I will have it sent to you instead. You are greedy but you are not the worst person in my life right now. Don't get your hopes up," Alessandra said as she couldn't guarantee there was something for her.

"If there is something, don't waste it. Take it from me that it is never too late to change your life and find happiness.  Don't run back to grandmother. You do not deserve the way she treats you," said Alessandra.

"Why are you trying to make me feel guilty for not being a good uncle all your life? You're too kind for your own good. Remember, it would be rude for you to take back that you're giving me whatever your father left for you. I would like to talk some more but your husband scares me and I need to go back to making Katrina's life hell. See you from afar," Clark waved goodbye as he walked away.

"See you," Alessandra softly spoke. She doubted they would run into each other again and it wasn't because she thought Clark would die. There was simply no reason for them to see each other again. She didn't suddenly desire a better relationship with Clark now.

Alessandra genuinely hoped Clark could change his ways and be happy. She was never aware of how harsh Greta was on Clark and now she pitied him. In different ways, everyone had their own trauma that made them the way they are now.

Edgar came to Alessandra's side now that her talk with Clark was over. "Did you enjoy your time with Clark?"

"Surprisingly, I did. I offered him what my father left for me. I don't know what is in my father's will and I would never use it. As long as it is not in Katrina or Kate's hands, I don't care where it goes. That is if he left something for me. Clark mentioned a place my mother would have visited if I wanted to look around for her butI honestly do not wish to search for her. We should leave," Alessandra stated when the carriage with Wilma already inside came right in front of them.

While Alessandra didn't care to search for her mother, Edgar had already started his own search after having a portrait of Melanie recreated numerous times for his men to go around with. He didn't inform Alessandra or Wilma to avoid giving them false hope.

Just as Desmond needed to be punished Melanie needed to be brought back to Lockwood, even if it would be against her will, to face the people she left behind. Melanie might have been smart enough to hide her tracks from Desmond and Wilma but she was never prepared for a Duke hunting her down. Melanie was bound to return to Lockwood sooner than anyone expected.