Speak To Me

(Caroline Walters)

Perfect..that is what I strive to be..no, that is what I strive for my family to be and we were so close. But now, I don't even know how we got to this point. Ever since I was a little girl, I dreamed of having a life just like this. The big house, fancy cars, nice clothes..all of it.

I remember how my sister and I used to lay in bed at night, imagining what life would be like when we married our rich husbands and had everything we ever wanted. We would attend the most elite parties and be the envy of every girl in town.

Then I met Edward Walters. He was the most handsome man I had ever laid eyes on and it was love at first sight. But the only problem was that he came from nothing. My parents were furious...they wanted me to marry someone that they deemed worthy..someone with class and a respectable social status.

I didn't get it at first, being blinded by love I felt like I could've followed that man anywhere..and I did. But to get to where we are now, it was not easy. I had to watch as my husband failed over and over again. The pressures of proving them all wrong would get to his head and it would be my job to keep him afloat. Some days he feared we wouldn't be able to pay rent or have enough food to last us until the end of the month..but we somehow made it together.

Those were the hardest moments of my life..and at one point I was ready to pack up and leave..but I didn't. I couldn't go back to my hometown and face my family.

I realized after that why my parents were so adamant about me marrying a wealthy man..because they didn't want me to suffer through the same things they had. That's why I raised my children the way I did. I wanted them to be accepted into this society even if their parents weren't born into it..they would be.

So once the restaurant began to take off, we were able to save enough to send Rylan and Jolie to one of the top private schools in the state, that was their in. They were doing so well..and when Rylan became friends with the son of Robert Sinclair, I knew we had made it. For a moment I believed Jolie might marry Jamie as well..that's why I waited so long to push her into marriage..but after Jamie got engaged, I began looking for the perfect match for my daughter.

Then came Matteo Hernandez..I will admit that his charm and overall wealth might've blinded me. But can you blame me? He seemed like the perfect person for Jolie..better than Alder King at least..if the girls at the country club heard my daughter was dating an Alvarez..I know for a fact that my invitation to this year's garden party would've gotten lost in the mail.

Then Rylan had to bring that Martinez girl home. Rumors about her family have been going around for years! Something with the girl's birth certificate came to light and revealed the girl's sister was actually her mother.

Once the board members at the dance academy caught wind that perhaps a scandal was right under their noses..they tried to address it..and that's when Paula Martinez quit and never showed her face there again. So seeing Rylan walk into the house with Matilda Martinez hanging on his arm, I was taken aback..perhaps I didn't handle the situation the best I could..but I'm trying my best here.

Don't they realize how much I love them? How I only want what's best for them and have seen what life is like when you throw caution into the wind. Yes, Edward and I ended up on top..but we were the rare case.

And after seeing Nolan struggling with addiction issues..I tried to tighten my grasp, not wanting a single thing to ruin that perfection we worked so hard to obtain. But it seems all of my efforts were in vein..now my own husband won't even look at me.

My sweet Nolan..he was such a calm baby and always wanted to be snuggled. Since he was the youngest, we all seemed to spoil him..even his brother and sister. So when I first found out about his drug use..I thought it was a one-time thing. I thought if we pretended it didn't happen, perhaps it would go away.

I guess I pretended for too long. But now he is home and we will do things differently..

I just want my family back..and if it means I have to suck it up and let them pursue these new..relationships. I guess I have to. Let's just hope it's a phase..considering Jolie was pretty shaken by Jamie's engagement, perhaps this is her way of rebelling.

As for Rylan..out of all my children, he is my most loyal. I know him and this thing with the Martinez girl will pass soon enough. He and Madison were made for one another and I know how much that hurt him when she left.

As badly as I wanted to invite her tonight, I made the choice not to considering this is for Nolan and I promised to behave.

So when I saw Madison's number pop up on my phone, I couldn't help but smile as I quickly answered it.

"Madison, how have you been darling?" I asked before checking myself in the mirror.

"Well, I have been better. I'm actually on my way to meet with some friends right now. There is something I wanted to ask you. I didn't see an announcement or anything and thought maybe you didn't want to tell me considering the situation.." She began, making my brow furrow as I brushed back one of my blonde curls.

"What is it? Did something happen?"

"I actually ran into Rylan the other day." She began, making my heart leap into my throat with excitement.

"Oh, that's wonderful. How did things go?" I rushed, hoping to god my son has finally pulled his head out of his ass. Madison is the perfect woman for him..she is well educated, comes from a very wealthy family and her presence alone screams elegance and sophistication. "Considering he informed me about the wedding..not very well."

Wait..what did she just say?

"Wedding?" I asked, wondering for a moment what the hell this woman was talking about.

"Yes, he introduced me to his wife..Matilda."

"Wife..no dear, I think you are mistaken." I laughed wildly, there is no way.

"Mrs. Walters, he said it himself..I even saw the ring." She added, and that's when the room began to spin.

"He..he must've been tricking you my dear. There is no way..perhaps he wanted to make you jealous." I blurted, trying to come up with some type of reason for this.

Rylan would never do that to me.

"I don't think that's the case Mrs. Walters." She whispered, her voice filled with pity as I began to feel like a fool.

"Madison, if we could keep this between us for the time being..I would greatly appreciate that." I added, knowing what this had the capabilities of doing.

Scandal..it would all be one big scandal. I was already trying to handle the Nolan issue. I can't even comprehend Jolie and what she is doing..but my Rylan going and getting married behind my back? No..it can't possible. After saying my goodbyes, I hung up the phone and place my hand on the vanity before me..trying my hardest not to faint.

"Coraline, are you in here? The first guests are starting to arrive." Edward called out, making me stiffen.

Did he already know? He had finally just come home after all of this time..and things were still rather rocky.

But he wouldn't keep something like that from me, would he?

"Edward..have you spoken to Rylan recently?" I asked as calmly as I could. I could tell when my husband was hiding something..so his answer should give me something.

"Just this morning, why? Did you need him to pick something up on the way?" He asked, making me sigh as I could see he wasn't acting unusual.

"No..it's okay, I will handle it." I stated, looking at myself once more in the mirror before feeling that sense of control slipping from my fingertips yet again.

Everything was supposed to be perfect..Rylan wouldn't do this to me..he just wouldn't.