Page 36 of Where Quiet Hearts Scream
I can hear them whispering just outside but I tunethem out. That’s all people seem to do these days—whisper a lot then pretend that everything is absolutely fine, nothing is changing and we’re law-abiding citizens without a single crime among us.
Just as I pull a T-shirt over my head, Trilby knocks at the door and my heart jumps into my throat. I run a glance over myself to make sure I really am dressed, then open the door.
She’s breathless when she speaks, her eyes wide with surprise.
“Andreas is here.”
“What?” I gasp. “He’s here? Right now?”
To my surprise, my heart is going ballistic inside my ribcage at the thought of seeing Andrew. The stupid thing hasn’t got the memo that Andrew doesn’t actually exist and it’s about to be sold to a cheating liar called Andreas who doesn’t care that he’s about to ruin my life.
Trilby has turned pale and is wringing her hands while she waits for me to act on this information. “He’s with Papa now. He’s asked to see you.”
“But, why is he here? The last thing he said to me was he’d see me at the church. Do you think he’s here to call it off?” My brain feels a flicker of hope even as my heart limps for a moment.
Trilby’s brows knit sympathetically. “I don’t think so. I think he came to New York to see Cristiano, so while he’s here…” She must see how my features have stiffened as she trails off, not finishing her sentence.
“And he’s summoning me? To carefully inspect the shiny new toy he’s pre-ordered no doubt.”
“He isn’t ‘summoning’ you and you’re not just a shiny new toy, Sera. I know this is hard, I really do. But is there a chance he might actually be a nice person? And you found him attractive not too long ago, remember?”
I shoot her a quizzical glance.
“Tess said you told her at the wedding.”
I fold my arms across my chest. “He’s forcing me to marry him, Trilby. He’s put an end to my dream career and he’s ruined my life. So, no. I don’t think there’s a chance he might be a nice person. He’s an arrogant, self-serving, lying, cheatingmurdererwho?—”
“Hello Sera.”
A voice comes from behind Trilby and I jerk to the left just to deepen the flush that has surged across my skin.
Andrew—Andreas—is standing a few steps below the landing, his tan skin flawless and irritating, his dark suit echoing his rich charcoal eyes. Ihatehow handsome he is.
“Hello,” I reply, meekly.
“Join me downstairs,” he says, with familiar brevity. “This won’t take long.”
Trilby turns back to face me, her frown slightly panic-stricken.
“Yes, of course,” I mutter. Then I retreat back into the bedroom and pull on my shoes.
Serafina
Five minutes later, I walk into the lounge where Papa, another man I don’t recognize, and—well, I may as well get used to it—Andreasare sitting on sofas cradling empty espresso cups. They stand when I enter the room.
Where Papa’s face comes alive, albeit with a thread of apprehension, Andreas’ face falls. A lightness that was evident when he was speaking with my father has diminished, and in its place is a darkness, a heaviness. It is chased by a furrowed brow and a tight jaw.
Without removing his gaze from me, he speaks to my father through gritted teeth.
“Mr. Castellano. I wish to speak with you alone.”
I stop and stare at Papa. I thought Andreas wanted to see me, but I’ve been dismissed? My lips part in shockas I wait for Papa’s response. He lets out a long, saddened breath.
“Sera, please go and wait for me in my office.”
“What? Why?”
“Just go. I will see you shortly.”
