Page 67 of Where Quiet Hearts Scream
I grit my teeth together. I can’t tell her the truth—that I don’t know. Because I can’t see any further than my anger in this moment.
“Soon.”
Then I turn and walk out the door, slamming it off its hinges.
Serafina
After Viola has silently helped me to patch up the door so it actually closes and locks again, I ignore the alarmed expression on her face and head up to my room.
I slip out of the dress and carefully remove the jewelry Andreas gave me before dinner. I glance up and catch my reflection in the mirror. I look exhausted and confused—exactly the way I feel.
The evening has been an ordeal. First, the hideous governor stroking my thigh under the table. Then, his equally hideous wife insulting me in the restroom. Both of them made me feel cheap and dirty. Worthless.
I still don’t know how to interpret Andreas’ reaction when I told him what had happened and what I thought he’d wanted.
Well, it’s clear he isn’t pimpingme out—that’s reassuring. But the fury he was barely holding in confused me. Why would he be so angry? Surely Andreas can explain to the governor there’s been a misunderstanding and maybe there’s another way the deal could be beneficial for him. They’re grown men—they’ll be able to come to an agreement.
I watch as my face relaxes in the mirror. Andreas will figure it out. As I’m learning more each time I see him, he’s an exceptionally intelligent man—he knows what he wants, and he knows how to get it.
I keep repeating that to myself as I wash my face, climb into bed and drift off to sleep.
An impatient knock at the door of my bedroom wakes me abruptly. I glance at the clock—it’s eight a.m. I must have been in a deep slumber.
There’s another set of knocks, faster this time. “Signora? Signora, are you awake?”
“Viola?” I must be groggy because who else would it be?
“May I come in? I have your sister calling.”
Since I still haven’t been granted a cell phone of my own, I only get to speak to members of my family through Viola’s various cell phones.
I sit upright. “Yes, of course, come in.”
Viola enters the room in a hurry and hands me her phone. “It sounds urgent.”
I take the phone and press it to my ear. “Hello?”
“Oh Sera, thank God you’re okay.”
“Trilby?” I rub my eyes, still waking up.
“Yes, it’s me. I needed to know you were okay.”
“Why wouldn’t I be?” I frown.
“Where’s Andreas?” she continues, ignoring my question.
“I don’t know. Why?”
“Were you with him?”
I stare at Viola who’s watching me anxiously. “When?”
“Last night, of course.”
“Yes, we went to a business dinner with Governor Grayson. Why?”
“Oh my God,” she whispers. “You were there when it happened?”
