Page 77 of The Devil's Torment

NICHOLAS

My wife glides into the dining room as though she’s floating on air, the navy-blue dress she’s chosen for our monthly family dinner clinging to her curves like a second skin.

Ever since our sailing trip almost two weeks ago, where I revisited memories I work hard to keep locked away, I feel lighter somehow. As though by confessing the thoughts that have haunted me for two decades, I’ve shared that burden with her, and the weight I carry isn’t as heavy anymore.

I still can’t forgive my mother for killing herself, and I’m not sure I ever will, but it doesn’t hurt quite as much to think about her now as it used to. Maybe with Victoria by my side, I can find a way to flush out the poison running through my veins. I don’t want to hate my mother for choosing to leave us. It’s like an albatross around my neck, and until I find a way to cut it loose, I’ll never be able to truly move on and put the past behind me.

Something shifts in my chest when Victoria’s eyes meet mine. She gives me this soft smile like we’re sharing a secret only we know about, and my groin heats. Extricating myself from Dad and Christian, who are rambling on about Christian’s latest project that’s nearing completion, I cross the dining room and slide a hand around the back of her neck.

“You look positively sinful in that dress.”

Standing on tiptoes, she puts her mouth right beside my ear. “You should know I’m not wearing any underwear. It spoiled the line of the fabric.”

I almost swallow my tongue.Fuck.“If Dad hadn’t invited your parents tonight, I’d feign illness and skip this dinner altogether.”

Momentarily, she looks disappointed. “Oh, yeah. I forgot my parents were coming.”

“You’re not happy about that?”

“Oh, no. Of course I’m happy. It’ll be good to see them. I’ve hardly seen them at all since the wedding.”

I’m not convinced, but before I can question her further, Laura and Phillip arrive. I park my queries for later, but I pay special attention to their interactions with their daughter. I’ve never noticed it before, but there’s a distance between them, almost as though they’re acquaintances. The kiss Laura, Victoria’s mother, gives her is perfunctory and her father merely pats her on the shoulder, then moves away to talk to my dad and Uncle George.

Victoria’s face falls, but she covers up her feelings like a pro, a mask of serenity slipping in place. How had I not seen this before? I think back to when I was with Elizabeth, and whether Laura and Phillip were the same with their youngest daughter, but the memories of that time have faded, as if Elizabeth’s death wiped the slate clean.

All I see now is Victoria. My vibrant, incredible wife, who has somehow burrowed her way beneath my skin and set up home.

She’s also the sexiest fucking woman I’ve ever laid eyes on. My palms twitch with the desire to touch her. I feel starved of contact, even though the opposite is true. Yet it’s not enough. It’s never enough.

Confession time: I’m obsessed with my wife. It’s not love, I know that, but the feelings I have for her are probably as close as I’m ever going to get, and that’s more than I hoped for.

We take our seats. Dad has put Victoria’s parents across from us, flanking them with Uncle George and Aunt Alice. My lips twitch. Good luck to Phillip trying to get more than three words out of my taciturn aunt. Luckily for her, George’s extrovert personality more than makes up for her painfully introverted one.

Resting my hand possessively on Victoria’s thigh, I glance at my own father and catch him looking at me with an expression of serenity. His eyes flicker to Victoria, then back to me, and he nods and smiles.

Shaking my head, I smile too.Well played, Dad. Well fucking played.

“How is that little hobby of yours coming along, Vicky?” Laura asks, daintily closing her lips around a sliver of lamb.

Victoria stiffens beside me. “If you mean my design company, it’s coming along well.”

“Still just a hobby, though, right? I mean, it’s not as if you need to work now you’re married to Nicholas.” She shifts her gaze to me, her smile faltering as she takes in my glower.

“It’s not a hobby,” I say between gritted teeth. “She’s doing amazingly well. I’m proud of what she’s building, and I’m happy to support her all the way.”

My wife shoots me a grateful smile and slides her hand beneath the table to cover mine. She squeezes. I squeeze back.

“Oh, well, yes. I’m sure. But it’s not as though there’s any future in it. Soon, she’ll have babies to take care of.”

I square my shoulders, irritation flaring beneath my skin. “Respectfully, Laura, our family planning is none of your business. And having children does not preclude my wife from building a successful career.”

“Nicholas.” Dad’s quiet warning has no effect. I saw the way Victoria wilted under her mother’s veiled insult, and I won’t fucking have it.

“I didn’t mean to pry.” Laura cuts her eyes to Victoria. “I’m glad we paired you with someone who appreciates your… special talents.”

“I more than appreciate her.” I bring our joined hands to my lips and kiss the tips of her fingers. “I’m lucky to have such an amazing wife.”

Where she wilted for her mother, she blossoms for me. Her spine straightens, and her eyes glow as she smiles at me.

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