And If You Wrong Us

Part 7: Two Sides to Every Coin

AUTHOR'S NOTES: Thank you for coming to read my story! If you end up enjoying this section, please vote and leave a comment! While you read this chapter, here are some things to think about : 1. What do you think of Sarah's secret? Did you see it coming? 2. Do you think Mr. Raven is right to be furious with Sarah? 3. Do you think Sarah will become dangerous if Mr. Raven divulges the secret?

"Can you love more than one person?"

Mr. Roberts choked on his sip of tea, quickly covering his mouth.

Mr. Raven gave him an apologetic look as he recovered.

"Goodness, Cirius, you could give a man some warning before asking such a thing." He coughed a few more times, wiping his mouth, then cleared his throat. "Now. What is this all about? Why are you asking such a question?"

Mr. Raven took a sip of his tea, looking down at the steam rising from the mug. "I thought asking you would initiate a thoughtful response, not an interrogation."

Mr. Roberts sighed, putting his hands together. "Alright, Cirius. I'll answer your question first. But then I want you to answer mine." He paused for a long moment. "I think it is possible, yes. Now; why do you ask?"

"That's it?" Mr. Raven replied, deflated. "It's possible? Nothing more?"

Mr. Roberts frowned. "Well what more were you looking for, Cirius? If you want an explanation on the phenomenon of how, you're asking the wrong person."

Mr. Raven looked down at his hands with dejection. "I... I was just looking for some reasoning behind it."

"Do any of us really know?" Mr. Roberts took another drink from his mug, this time carefully. "Perhaps it is because we are too selfish to be happy with only one. Perhaps it is because there is more than one perfect match for us in this great, big world. Perhaps it is because as we fall in love with another, we are falling out of love with the first. Who is to say?"

Mr. Raven shook his head. "I'm not falling out of love."

Mr. Roberts lifted his brows. "Just falling in love?"

Mr. Raven's chest lifted with the heaviness of his sigh. "I... I don't know."

"Cirius — I've known you too long for you to give me that line. Please share, before your sadness suffocates us both."

Mr. Raven rolled his eyes and drank deeply from his cup. "I don't know what's wrong with me. I have everything a man should want. A beautiful home, a loving wife, two brilliant children. How could I ever expect or want more?"

"It doesn't seem that you want more of just anything. It's quite particular, isn't it?"

Mr. Raven's hands clasped together in his lap. He didn't raise his head to look at Mr. Roberts, shame coloring his cheeks.

"This something more wouldn't happen to be young and gullible with a fiery mane?"

Mr. Raven squirmed uncomfortably in his chair.

"Cirius..." Mr. Roberts waited for him to meet his gaze. "Are you sure what you're feeling is love? Infatuation can feel quite similar."

Mr. Raven shot up, anger sparking. "It was a mistake to bring this matter to you."

"Heaven's sake, Cirius, sit down!" Mr. Roberts put his hands on Mr. Ravens' shoulders and pushed him back down. "Your emotions must be running quite high to react as such. Alright. So, let's assume what you feel is real. How does that change anything? You are a married man."