Page 33 of The Widower
“I understand, dear,” she said kindly. “Colin’s complicated, everyone knows that. But I don’t think his temper’s going to change anytime soon. My advice? Stay out of his way as much as you can and do everything he asks, right when he asks. I know how arrogant he can be, but…” She stopped mid-sentence, and I knew instantly she’d remembered something painful.
“You can tell me,” I encouraged.
“I don’t like saying this, but Colin’s a walking tragedy. People like that... they live life on the edge—whether for better or for worse. Unfortunately,” she said softly, her expression full of sorrow. Her words lingered, heavy, leaving me deep in thought.
“What’s Colin’s real story? Why do people seem so afraid of him?”
“Sweetheart... there are things best left unsaid. Some stories are better buried—for everyone’s sake.”
“When I got this job, the woman who hired me said she was a close friend of Colin’s. But after the tragedy with his wife and daughter, he cut everyone off.”
“We’re not allowed to talk about that here. I’m sorry.” She looked away.
“I understand. I don’t want to cause trouble—it’s just my stupid curiosity.”I forced a smile.
“Isabelle…” She took my hand gently. “I hope you stay here long enough to understand what really happened to Colin. All I can tell you is that... a lot has.”
I changed the subject after that. Helen clearly wasn’t comfortable talking about Colin, and I didn’t want to push her—though persistence is usually second nature to me.
Five minutes left on my shift. I was heading toward the main hall to talk to Tito, one of the drivers, when I spotted Colin coming out of one of the sitting rooms.
“Do you need anything?” I offered automatically.
“Did I call for you?”
Right. I really don’t know why I keep trying with a man this bitter.
“Force of habit.” I tried to hide the irritation in my voice.
I’d never been treated like this before, and Colin had a special talent for pissing me off with just a few words. It was almost impressive. Still, I had to focus on the paycheck.
“Then maybe you should work on your habits,” he said, turning his back to me and walking toward the forbidden room.
That’s what I called it. Ever since those “rules” made it explicitly clear no one was allowed to go in there, I’d started giving certain things nicknames.
Sure, it sounds childish—but I honestly didn’t care.
“What are you so afraid of, Colin?”
He stopped mid-step, turned around, and locked eyes with me.
Yep. Wrong question. Wrong time. And definitely the wrong man.
“Repeat that,” he said quietly.“I don’t think I heard you right.”
No way. I wasn’t that suicidal.
“I think I phrased that wrong,” I mumbled, trying to play it off.“It was just… conversation, you know?”
“No. I really don’t know.” His eyes were burning holes through me, and I had no idea what to do. Not now.
“I just meant—if there’s anything you’re afraid of…” I said softly.
Colin took two slow steps toward me, and my whole body tensed.Was he going to kiss me?
God, my brain needed to stop doing this.Why would Colin ever do that? He’d been very clear last time, and I needed to keep my focus on work—no matter how many stupid questions I asked.
“You know,” he said, his tone low and cutting, “I still haven’t figured out what your real problem is.I can’t tell if you’re desperate for attention or just naturally annoying. If I’ve told you I don’t like talking to people, what makes you think you’re special enough to believe we’re friends who should discuss each other’s lives?”
