Francine is currently in East Angelcrest at her one-bedroom apartment. Her apartment walls are blue with white baseboards. The apartment is furnished with modern furniture. She has white curvaceous couches with matching chairs in the living room. Francine is in the living on the couch looking through a photo album.

  It is filled with pictures of her and Titus. Francine is eted to be going down memory ne.

  "It was destiny that brought us together baby." Francine swoons while running her hand over a picture of Titus in his military uniform.

  After looking through the photo album Francine goes and puts it in her bedroom closet. She goes to the kitchen and fixes herself a bowl of vanil ice cream. As she indulges herself Magnolia comes to mind infuriating her.

  "That bitch doesn't deserve him. She thinks she's better than him. If he got with me maybe he'd see what kind of woman she truly is." Francine sayshappily putting more ice cream in her mouth.

  After finishing her body-chilling dessert Francine washes her dishes and goes to her bedroom and calls Titus. After two rings he answers.

  "How are you, Big Sarge?" Francine asks running her foot over the other.

  "I'm doing good Mrs. Lexington how are you?" Titus asks with equal lust.

  "I'm good, I'm just pining over you lover, when will I see you again?" Francine asks in a mencholic tone gazing up at the ceiling.

  "Soon, and while we're on the subject where are you now?"

  "Here in East Angelcrest. I have a new apartment."

  Titus' eyes widen happily.

  "Really?" Titus asks pulling on his shoes.

  "Yes, are you in Angelcrest?" Francine inquires.

  "I'm in West Angelcrest in the Wes Barlow neighborhood,"

  "Wonderful, I guess I'll see you soon."

  "Yes, you will,"

  Suddenly the bedroom door opens.

  "I look forward to it. See you soon." Francine says longingly before hanging up.

  Titus hangs up and looks at his visitor who shuts the door.

  "I thought you were mad at me."

  "I am but I came to receive your apology."

  "I didn't know hell froze over today."

  "You were completely beside yourself tonight. You btantly disrespected our marriage and that’s unacceptable."

  Magnolia pces her hands on her hips.

  "You both deserved it if we’re being honest. However, I'm willing to overlook your betrayal on one condition."

  Magnolia scoffs folding her arms.

  "Betrayal? Titus, you tried to sabotage Adeide and when it failed you thought I would defend you. I will never stand beside you when you're wrong."

  "You have to promise me that you will sever all ties with that bitch."

  "I'm not promising that and don’t you dare call her that again, her name is Adeide."

  "Either you sever ties or you leave my house."

  The room temperature instantly drops.

  "I'll leave this mansion without rattling my sapphires. Adeide and I have been best friends since childhood. I got beatings from my father for associating with her. I refuse to relive that especially from my very own husband."

  "I see your mind is made up," Titus says resting his hands behind his head.

  "Like a queen that sits on the throne of her kingdom." Magnolia retorts before leaving.

  Twelve miles away in the Margaret Wine neighborhood stands Silverston

  Manor. The two-story Mediterranean mansion is peach with Mediterranean trim. There are palm trees aligned along the pathway leading to the house. The porch has four rge wooden chairs on each side. The door itself is white with an oval doorknob. The foyer has hardwood flooring. The simple yet luxurious staircase ascends gracefully to the second floor.

  Parallel to the hallway is an arched hallway that leads to the nai, den, guest wing, kitchen, and dining room. Turning right leads to the study. To the right of the foyer is the parlor room and on the left is the living room. The flooring all throughout the home are white marble except the bedroom which have carpet. Adeide is in her study looking over her deceased husband's legal documents.

  Her walls are covered in pictures and bookshelves are full of books. She's holding a gss of whiskey in her left hand. As she looks over the documents she sighs heavily before sipping her drink.

  "Virgo I really messed up. You died because of me. I guess that was my punishment for how I treated you. I ran up your credit and I emascuted you. Despite that you always made me feel like a queen and now I'm all alone." Adeide ments as tears run down her face.

  She looks to her left and sees a picture hanging on the wall. It is a picture of her and Virgo in Europe seven years ago. Adeide wore a dark bck silk dress with a ce band around her hips. Her hair was styled in a bun. Virgo wore a white suit with a bck bow tie. They were smiling happily as they had just won a non-profit poker game. Adeide feels tears filling her eyes and she goes and walks over to the picture.

  "Of my four husbands, you're the only one that stuck around at my worst. For that, I love you unconditionally." Adeide sobs while running her hand across his face.

  After leaving memory ne Adeide returns to her desk and looks at the documents.

  "You can rest now Virgo, I've taken care of all the debts I incurred in your name."

  She clears her desk and leaves the study. She goes upstairs to her bedroom. Up against the back wall is a bck king-size four-poster bed. It is decorated with dark brown sheets and a bck comforter. On the opposite side of the room is a matching dresser and body mirror. To the left of the bedroom is the bathroom and to the right is the closet. Adeide climbs into bed and clutches her pillow.

  “Damn it, why did I have to be insufferable to all of my husbands? Oh, I know why, it's because I'm a perfectionist. Due to my perfectionism two of my husbands died while the other two divorced me.” Adeide says remorsefully as tears roll down her face.

  "I'm so lonely. I have this mansion and no one to share it with. I wish Magnolia the best of luck with her marriage." Adeide says before crying herself to sleep.

  The next morning Magnolia is in her office at Antebellum Paradise. Antebellum Paradise is a two-story country-style house located in central Angelcrest. The porch has two porch swings and four potted ferns. Upon entering the establishment, the reception desk is to the far right. Straight ahead is the lobby area.

  Magnolia's office is right on the corner. Magnolia is in her office looking over admission paperwork. She is wearing a white pantsuit with a sapphire blue silk blouse. In her ears are fourteen-carat sapphire earrings with a matching neckce. Her hair is styled in a rge bun with a Chinese bang. As she reviews the documents a knock graces her door.

  "Come in." Magnolia says not lifting her eyes from her desk.

  "It's been a long time." a velvety baritone voice says getting Magnolia's attention.

  In the doorway stands a man wearing a bck suit. He has fair skin with blue-gray eyes and pink soft lips. His hair is styled in gelled waves adding to his strapping charm. His alluring masculine frame beckons anyone to admire it. His hands are tucked inside his pants pockets.

  His charming smile could make for a great film career in which he would always py the leading man.

  Magnolia quickly stands to her feet.

  "Avery Wells is that you?! I haven't seen you in eighteen years." Magnolia says joyously running to hug him which he returns.

  When they separate Magnolia looks him over.

  "It has been a long time," Avery says suavely kissing her hand.

  "You're too sweet. So, what brings you to Angelcrest?" Magnolia asks leading him to the visitor's chair.

  After sitting down Avery crosses his legs.

  "I'm actually here on business. It's about your father's property."

  Magnolia's smile is instantly shattered.

  "What about Daddy's pntation?"

  "It's facing a potential purchase. Rumor has it that once it's purchased the buyer pns on converting it into an execution house for colored people."

  Magnolia's eyes water.

  "That's absolutely disgusting!" Magnolia excims before covering her mouth.

  "Yes, it is, however, there is a silver lining,"

  "And what might that be?" Magnolia asks as tears stream down her face.

  "Your father loved you more than you knew."

  "What do you mean?"

  "There's another will. In it, he left you the mansion and all its effects. The deal closes in a week. If you leave now you can stop the sale."

  Magnolia leans against her desk exhaling heavily.

  "I'm surprised. Even though we mended things I thought I was still disinherited. I didn't think he changed his mind."

  "Death has a way of changing you," Avery says coolly smiling at her.

  "That's true. So, when is the next train leaving for Harmonica Dock, Arkansas?"

  "Tonight, at midnight. I also came bearing a gift."

  Avery then reaches into the inner lining of his coat. He hands her a train ticket.

  "Thank you so much Avery I really appreciate this. I'll repay you right now." Magnolia says taking the ticket and pcing it on her desk.

  She goes into her purse and pulls out her checkbook.

  "You're welcome and there's no need. Your friendship is invaluable."

  Avery says sweetly smiling at her.

  Magnolia comes around her desk and Avery stands up and she hugs him tightly.

  "I value our friendship too. I'm sorry I haven't kept in contact. I've been handling the duties of being a wife, mother, and businesswoman."

  When they separate they gaze into each other's eyes. Avery sees torment and loneliness while Magnolia sees protection and honesty in Avery's.

  Magnolia walks to her chair and sits down.

  "How do you like your job?" Avery asks looking around the office.

  "I love it. I get to meet new souls every few weeks. The ones here have my heart."

  "That's beautiful, can I ask you something personal?"

  Magnolia's smile dissolves.

  "Sure."

  Avery clears his throat.

  "Why did you marry Titus Lexington?"

  "I ask myself that every morning and I still can't answer it."

  "Really?"

  "Yes. He owns the house we live in and because of that alone he thinks he owns me."

  Avery smiles in shock.

  "That's no way for a husband to treat his wife," Avery says offended folding his arms.

  "It certainly isn't but I'll be fine."

  "I hope you're right." Avery jokes making Magnolia ugh.

  "But to answer your question it's because of my undying love for my children. If I left today they would be in an uproar" Magnolia says sullenly looking down at her desk.

  "Do you think what you're enduring is worth it?"

  "No, but I have a pn,"

  "I hope it's executed soon."

  "It will be." Magnolia swoons csping her hands together.

  "Alright, I'll see you ter," Avery says heading to the door.

  "Are you going to Arkansas too?"

  Avery looks back at her smiling.

  "No. I'm going back to Wolf Colony, North Carolina."

  Magnolia sits down in her chair and resumes her paperwork glowing.

  That evening at six Magnolia leaves Antebellum Paradise and returns to Lexington mansion. She heads to her bedroom and grabs her Adeide Michelle suitcase from the closet. It is made of dark brown leather. Around the edges are peach trim. The design consists of the letters A and M in cursive with a wolf below the letters. She begins packing clothes, shoes, and toiletries. As she snaps the lock on her suitcase Titus enters the room.

  "Leaving all of a sudden, are we?" Titus asks coolly.

  "There's some family business I must tend to,"

  "There's no need for the vagueness. I'm your husband meaning I am entitled to know" Titus says defensively.

  Magnolia turns toward him coolly.

  "I don't want you involved."

  Titus' expression morphs into anger.

  "Who do you think you're talking to?"

  "Someone that I'm not even sure I know anymore. Besides I don't have to tell you everything. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a train to catch." Magnolia says elegantly walking past him.

  "You can't catch a train without a ticket."

  Magnolia looks back smiling smugly.

  "Someone took care of it."

  Titus sucks his teeth folding his arms.

  "Who?" Titus questions jealously.

  "It's good to see you jealous for a change. Just know that it's round way." Magnolia says walking out into the hallway.

  As she heads downstairs Titus is hot on her trail. When she reaches the front door, she hears growling.

  "Stop right where you are Magnolia Graves-Lexington. Once you walk out that door, you're forfeiting your rights to your children."

  Magnolia looks back at him calmly.

  "I don't care about returning to this house. However, you will not me keep from our children." Magnolia says icily opening the front door.\

  "Like hell, I can't. You've lost me and your children by being a whore!" Titus yells and Magnolia chuckles.

  "You haven't seen the st of me you son of a bitch." Magnolia says smugly before walking out and smming the door.

  Titus storms off upstairs to his bedroom.

  Francine arrives in the Wes Barlow neighborhood after an hour's drive. When she arrives she drives up the alley leading to Lexington Mansion. She looks in complete awe. She parks her car in front of the mansion and turns off the engine. She grabs her purse and exits the car. Upon reaching the front door Francine takes a moment to gather composure. She then rings the doorbell.

  Moments ter the door opens, and Bobby is standing there. He looks her over in disgust before folding his arms.

  "Who are you and what are you doing disrupting our paradise?" Bobby asks arrogantly staring Francine down.

  "I'm Francine Moon and I'm a friend of your father's. Is he home?"

  "Why would he be fraternizing with a monkey like you?"

  "He has good reason to."

  Bobby reluctantly steps aside. Once inside Bobby shuts the door and goes upstairs to his bedroom. Francine meets the gaze of Ivy who's standing on the eastern staircase. Francine smiles and waves while Ivy comes downstairs and stands a few feet away.

  "Good evening and welcome to Lexington Mansion I'm Ivy Lexington," Ivy says formally extending her hand.

  "It's an honor to meet you Ivy I'm Francine Moon. I'm a friend of your father's." Francine says sweetly shaking her hand.

  "It's a pleasure to meet you. Can I get you anything to drink?" Ivy asks as their hands detach.

  "No thank you. For a second I thought you were going to say something about my skin color."

  "I don't formute opinions based on skin color. I base them on character."

  Titus enters the foyer looking at Ivy coldly.

  "Ivy, how dare you speak to a guest like this? I'm sorry Francine you'll have to excuse this faulty product. She was born out of a savage fornication by my wife. Ivy, leave our presence now!" Titus barks.

  Ivy looks at Francine who smiles smugly at her.

  "It was nice meeting you Ivy," Francine says condescendingly.

  Ivy looks at her father shamefully before going to the kitchen.

  "Come with me. There's something I want to discuss with you."

  Titus says taking Francine to his study. Once inside his study Francine looks around in astonishment.

  "This is a breathtaking home," Francine says looking at the books, trophies, and degrees along the walls.

  "Thank you and what about that mansion you were staying in in El Mona? Isn't that yours?" Titus asks leaning against his desk.

  "No, it wasn't it was on loan from a friend. I knew you were coming so I wanted to use it. Now that you are back home I don't need it. I'm working on buying my own house." Francine says looking Titus in the eyes.

  "If you stay with me you will have that luxury. This could be your house."

  He wraps his arms around her waist and stares into her eyes.

  "Magnolia is going to hate this which will delight me," Francine says kissing Titus chastely.

  After separating Titus smiles lovingly at her.

  "She may be my wife but this is my house. I can bring whoever I want inside it. But it doesn't matter because she no longer lives here."

  "What happened? Does she find me that threatening?"

  "It's not that. She doesn't know about us. She left because she refused to end her friendship with Adeide Silverston"

  Francine's eyes widen.

  "She's friends with the famous nigger Adeide Silverston?!"

  "Yes, they've been friends since childhood,"

  "If you want to divorce her and make me your queen I'd be honored,"

  Titus looks at her with a glint in his eyes. Titus then folds his arms smiling.

  "Do you think you can handle being a Lexington?"

  Francine raises her eyebrows intrigued.

  "We've been canoodling for seven years. I would think you'd know me by now. I'm ready to upgrade from mistress to wife. But there's also society to consider. Caucasians don't want to see their people with niggers. Honestly, I can't agree more. Niggers are beneath Caucasian and it will always be that way."

  "I'm surprised at you Francine, you're a nigger yourself,"

  "No, I'm not. I have a fair complexion which makes me white" Francine says icily staring Titus in the eyes.

  "Did you grow up in a predominantly white city?"

  "Yes, I did. I never understood why my parents lived there knowing the prejudice they would face. It wasn't them that taught me self-hatred it was the Caucasian people I hung around. I thought they'd kill me but when they saw how much I hated my skin complexion they embraced me."

  Titus is left in shock.

  "So what was your life like in Florida?" Titus asks now sitting on his desk.

  "It was anything but pleasant. I started out being flirtatious at eleven years old. When I was thirteen I started conducting retionships with men. However, they only wanted sex. So I figured why not beat them at their own game and make money."

  "I see," Titus says getting up and going to the alcohol cabinet.

  "I have a question for you," Francine says turning the tables on Titus.

  "Ask away," Titus says as pulling out two gsses.

  "Why did you marry Magnolia?"

  Titus pours whiskey into the gsses and walks over to her. He hands her the gss and swallows his. After swallowing the strong beverage Titus looks Francine softly in her eyes.

  "I was drawn to her social standing. But after getting married I realized it wasn't the life I wanted so I enlisted in the Air Force."

  Francine stares at him sadly before drinking her whiskey and walking toward him. She wraps her arms around his neck and kisses him passionately.

  "Some people can be so stupid. Maybe she thought she loved you and was fooling herself. She's so stupid for not realizing it sooner. We could have been together. Now here you are sneaking around with me. I've been in this situation before. A woman caught me with her husband once but unlike Magnolia, she came after me. Like careless prey in the jungle, it was a costly mistake and now she's dead. If Magnolia is as smart as she appears she wouldn't approach me" Francine says pecking Titus on his lips.

  "I don't think she's that foolish. But I want to tell you why you're here. I'm in the process of buying Magnolia's father's pntation and turning it into an execution house for niggers."

  "That's wonderful. The world would be better off without them" Francine says before kissing him again.

  They then separate and Francine walks to the door.

  "You're leaving so soon? I thought you wanted to spend time with me?"

  Francine looks back at him seductively.

  "I do but your children aren't fond of me," Francine says dejectedly opening the door.

  Titus walks to the door wrapping his arms tightly around her.

  "My happiness comes first fuck their feelings," Titus says selfishly sucking on her neck. Francine falls imp under his lips.

  "Seriously I have to go but I promise you'll see me soon," Francine says breaking away from Titus and walking down the hallway.

  Titus stands there momentarily before going into his study.

  When Francine made it to the foyer Bobby and Emma came downstairs gring at her in disgust.

  "Our father isn't interested in you whatsoever. He still loves our mother so don't think you've repced her" Bobby says and Francine smiles at him.

  "I kill niggers, especially the ones who think they have something going for themselves."

  "Your father and I love each other and there's nothing either of you can do about it," Francine says before leaving.

  Bobby and Emma look at each other before going to Titus' study.

  At eight fifteen Magnolia reaches Angelcrest Train Station. For the next two hours, Magnolia reads a romance novel. As she reads the book she thinks about Titus. Sadness consumes her as memories flood her mind. The cashier then comes onto the intercom.

  "All passengers boarding for Harmonica Dock make your way to the entrance" the cashier says.

  All passengers walk to the entrance. Magnolia shows the cashier her ticket and boards the train. After securing her luggage Magnolia looks out the window sobbing quietly.

  'Why don't you love me anymore Titus?' Magnolia thinks as the train leaves.