Page 28 of The Sound in Silence

I don’twantto be like this. But I don’t know how to be what he’ll need.

When my phone vibrates again, I slide it closer to me to see the screen. Guessing who’s messaging has been a game of mine throughout the day.

Della.

But it’s not her.

Erico

Are you okay?

Like a fucking transport truck, his simple question slams right into my heart. A sick form of pleasure has me hugging my phone to my chest. He’s asking. He knows. Probably from Sebastian’s reports, but considering he’s the same man who took off right away, he’s still finding it in his undoubtedly busy day to check on me.

His is the first message I debate responding to but my screen is consumed by an incoming call.

Hiscall.

Fuck.

I can’t answer. Can’t talk to this near-stranger, not with how I’m feeling.

Every ring has me more and more tempted to answer, so ending it sooner is better. I tap the hang-up button, ending his call, rather than letting it go to voicemail.

A text immediately follows.

Erico

Why are you not answering me?

I stare at the phone until more bubbles pop up.

Erico

Why won’t you leave the room?

Because.I wish I had an ending to that. An exact purpose behind mybecause…but I don’t.

Erico

I swear to fuck, Ariella, answer me before I fly home and drag you from that room myself.

I shut my eyes. He doesn’t get it—he probably never will either. But coming home, all for him to return to Vegas when he’s hauled me from bed, isn’t what I desire. I wish I knew what Iwant.

Love. Genuine love. What he’s doing isn’t from a place of care. It’s obligation.

Rolling onto my back, I take the phone with me, fingers over the keypad, readying to respond before he makes good on his threat.

Me

I’m fine. Just tired. New life and all that can be exhausting.

The text’s status immediately switches, telling me he’s read it, and with every passing second, my heart beats a bit faster for his response.

But he doesn’t respond. After a while, I drop the phone to the bed and roll until I’m facing away from the windows—away from my phone. My eyes shut and I feign sleep for myself, convincing my body to rest, even if it’s much too early.

Just when it’s about to work, my phone vibrates again, and I hate how fast I retrieve it.

Erico

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