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Normally Aaron Burr would be ecstatic to score a victory over Alexander Hamilton, but this one was bittersweet.
The Reynolds Pamphlet being published signed the death certificate of his rival's political career...And also ruined his personal life and marriage. If there was anyone damaged severely by this, it would be Eliza.
Eliza. She is a fine woman, Burr thought. Despite meeting her only a few times before, he could see she was the best wife any man can ask for. Beautiful, kind and smart as well, not to mention a wonderful mother. And he couldn't help but notice the equally wonderful small things as well. How could Hamilton throw all that away, Burr wondered. He wondered if he even noticed the small details about his own wife. Perhaps not, he was always focused on the bigger picture, go for the big goal then look over the fine print later.
He was disappointed, disappointed to see him stoop this low. Now Aaron himself was no stranger to infidelity, as he admitted to Alexander himself on the latter's wedding night, funnily enough. Theodosia was happy to be with him, though. She preferred him to her husband at the time and told Aaron as much.
Not like Hamilton's case at all.
And after he lost Theodosia, his bitterness over this grew bigger. If Eliza had been his wife, he would have never done this to her under any circumstances. But alas, she wasn't. The least he can do for her is see her. Everyone else is just celebrating Alexander's downfall, though Burr's sure Angelica did come for her sister when he heard that she came all the way from London after everything that happened.
The Hamiltons' residence wasn't too far from his own, so Aaron made his way there while thinking about what to say to her. Well, some comforting words would be a good start, he supposed.
Some anxiety crept up on Aaron as he wondered if she even wants to see anyone, especially someone who'd supposedly be very happy with these news. It's not like he truly hated Alexander, their butting was just the way politics work.
He should be fine.
Finding himself at the door, Aaron raised his fist and softly knocked on the door, then patiently waited. His breathing got a bit shaky as he anticipated the door opening. A few seconds pass by without anything happening. Burr contemplated turning on his heel and going back to his own house, but the door creaked just then, to reveal Eliza. A very unkempt Eliza. And her eyes screamed bloody murder.
"Burr." She greeted icily.
"Mrs. Hamilton."
"No. Call me Eliza."
He nodded in understanding. "It crossed my mind to give you a visit, if you don't mind."
"Hm." Eliza looked at the man contemplatively before stepping back inside, making way for Burr. "Come in then." He followed without a word, closing the door behind him.
The two went to the living room. Aaron could feel the emptiness in the house, making him curious. "Are your children present?"
"No. They're staying with Angelica and Father in his house." Eliza paused. "Take a seat, I'll make us some tea."
"Much obliged, Eliza." She nodded and went off to make tea. In the meantime, Aaron took everything in. She was alone in here. Poor woman. Good company definitely seemed like a desire after everything that happened. He'd have to do for now.
It was very jarring to see her so...unlike herself. The short responses and the iciness behind them. It sent a shiver down his spine.
"Mr. Burr, your tea is ready." Eliza came back to the room and readied the beverage for them.
Aaron smiled. "Thank you, Eliza. You're a good woman."
At this remark, she chuckled mirthlessly. "It seems like my own husband didn't think that."
Oof.
Aaron's smile flattened. "Don't say that."
"Please, Burr. Look at what he has done to me and our family. You can't tell me a man who does that doesn't think about anything but himself." Eliza almost spat the words vehemently before catching herself. "...I..I apologize. I didn't mean to talk to you so harshly."
Aaron shook his head. "Don't worry about it. And Eliza, you can call me Aaron. And here's what I think, you're definitely right, that was a selfish decision. Unfathomable even. I will never understand why he did what he did, when he had you."
"Maybe..maybe I just wasn't good enough..." Choking up on her words, Eliza's tears started falling.
"No! Please do not think that, Eliza. You are more than enough. You are perfect. This is completely on him. He didn't put you before himself, he didn't put his family before himself. And...and despite that, he loves you. He really does."
Eliza turned to him with a puzzled look, face still wet from the tears. "How...how can you be so sure? I don't even know if I know him..If he knows me anymore..."
Aaron felt his heart shatter at the sight before him. Oh, how he wished he could tell her Alexander noticed, that he knew and appreciated her for everything that she was...But only he did that. Only Aaron knew those things. Only he noticed them.
And only he appreciated her for them.
But Eliza didn't need to know that. He can pass it off as Alexander's thoughts. It was a lie, but it seemed like the only comfort she could use right now.
"Well..." Burr started hesitantly. "He always talked about how wonderful you are as a wife. From the wedding day, he can't stop gushing over you. In fact, he talked so much about you that...that I learned a lot of new things about from what he said."
Eliza's eyes lit up with a mixture of hope and skepticism. "He did?"
"He really did." Aaron forced a smile. "He always preferred those little things to be secrets but..I guess, it's time for you to know."
"Aaron, please. Don't lie to me about this. Promise me that you aren't lying." She said in a serious tone, yet still sounding sad and tender.
"...I promise you."
"Okay...What are those things Alexander told you?"
"Uhm...Well, he noticed that you always like to go out with your hair done in a ponytail." Starting off with something that is in plain sight, yet most people wouldn't think twice about. Aaron knew this thanks to him seeing Eliza enough times in public and he indeed never saw her in anything but a ponytail. Even if it wasn't completely accurate, it was a safe enough bet.
Eliza blushed slightly. "I always thought I look best in that style." She admitted shyly.
"You certainly do." He smiled, agreeing wholeheartedly. "And that's not all. He told me that your choice in perfumes is always on point. You never go anywhere without bringing this beautiful scent along with you." This made Eliza blush harder, and smile more.
"And the thing he always brings up to me, is your smile. Subtle, but perfect and real. It always brightens his day no matter what." And it was doing that to Aaron as well right now. Seeing Eliza smile after such heartbreak, he wouldn't want to be anywhere else just so he can see it.
"That's...very sweet." But the frown came back. "I just wish...I just wish he would've...said those things to me. Why didn't he say them to me, Aaron?"
"Eliza." He gently put a hand on hers. "Alexander is the brashest person we both know, he's always going after something, actively working his mind. He's always focused on something else. He loves you, but he didn't put you before himself."
Eliza looked down at the ground, nodding her head. "You're right. It just makes this so...bittersweet. I'm glad he noticed but also..."
"I know..." Aaron said comfortingly.
"Thank you for keeping me company today, Aaron."
"You're very welcome, Eliza. I suppose it's about time I head back then."
"Yes, I suppose so."
The two walked to the front door with their arms wrapped around each other. Aaron thought to ask something.
"Have you thought what to do after this?"
"I am not sure yet. I have to think about it more."
"Well, I wish you all the best."
"You're too kind, Aaron. Maybe you should've been my husband."
With the comment being so unexpected, Aaron flushed hard and looked away. No way she said that just now. At least it was a good sign that she was able to make a tease about the situation, right? Yes, she seemed to have even giggled a bit at his reaction.
"That would've been something indeed, Eliza."
And with that, Aaron opened the door and got ready to leave, but not before Eliza told him. "Please, feel free to visit me another time, Aaron. Your company is much delightful."
Aaron smiled one last time at her and nodded. "I will. Farewell."
The door closed, and he was alone again.
Maybe she will never know how he truly feels about her, but if she can find happiness in her current marriage again, he will be happy for her.
Because he truly loves her.