John’s death was enough to rattle the whole family. It was enough to rattle Thomas. Ever since the realization that one of their family members, your brother, had died because of Thomas’ actions….hope has been lost, and panic had ensued.

The look on Thomas’ face was unusual. It didn’t hold confidence, determination, or cruelty. No, it held pain, panic, and guilt. You wonder why he felt guilt of al things. Surely he doesn’t regret killing the man who killed his wife, Grace? That wouldn’t be like him at all.

With the room full of the Shelby family, consisting of Polly, Michael, Finn, Arthur, you, and Ada…..the tension in the air was so thick, you could cut it with a knife.

“To stop the Vendetta,” Thomas starts, taking a moment to rub his eyes with his fingers, “he wants to marry….a Shelby.” Gasps and murmurs erupt in the room between the family, and you could only sit silence, eyes wide with fear and hatred. You know who he is talking about. Ada already has a child, and with you being the only sister left….

“Y/N,” Thomas then adds once the room got quiet.

You wanted to laugh at the guilty expression Thomas gives you. How dare he look that way? What happened to family? To keeping it safe and doing anything he could to protect it? Obviously, he had given up when it came to you.

Polly’s hand grips onto your arm for some form of comfort, her body leaning forward in her chair as she glares at Thomas. “No,” she hisses, shaking her head. “No, Tom, I won’t allow it. You’d really give up your sister to this bastard?” She practically shouts at him angrily. “Your own fucking sister?!”