Page 31 of The Sound in Silence

Confounded with how to feel about this. It’s like he’s buying me…but he’s buying me with such a lovely gift, I can’t help but accept his purchasing of me.

Instead, I sit, slumped, staring at the piano, tears dripping down my cheeks.

So fucking confused as I stare at the piano, my fingers aching to touch it, to play music. To go retrieve my notebook and perform the songs already written. To revise old ones and make them better.

Why did he do this? Why does he taunt me with niceties?

My phone rings, the screen flashing with the FaceTime app.

Fuck.He’s calling me. Do I ignore him? That’d be a bitch move, considering what he’s done here. But my cheeks are warm from crying, and though I wipe them away, it’ll be impossible to hide the red rimming my eyes. Ideally, he won’t pay attention.

I tap the button to answer his call and Erico’s face fills my screen. I prop my phone up on the piano keys and manage a small wave in greeting as I try to decipher the room he’s in. Its bright, white walls. I think he’s leaning against a headboard. A hotel room?

His greeting smile immediately shifts into a frown, his head tilting to the right. “Why are you crying?”

Damn it.I shrug, pressing my lips together to stop another wave of his fake caring.

His eyes narrow, obviously seeing through my lie, but thankfully, he switches topics. “Happy birthday, Ariella.”

How did you know?

How did you know when my birthday is?

How did you know what hobbies I have?

Slowly so he can catch it, I mouth,Thank you. How did you know?

Erico smirks, giving me a look full of sin that heats my insides. “You have no faith if you think I wouldn’t have had your background looked into. Of course, I know your birthday. As for your hobbies, I had my driver search your backpack yesterday before bringing it up. He saw the notebook and sent me pictures of it to look over. The lyrics and the matching music notes you assigned to each one. All your scribbles as you changed and modified them. And the little messages you wrote yourself about how you’d perform these on a piano.”

No apology for searching my personal items. I should be angry he’s so invasively checking into my life—especially when he could simplyaskme.Talkto me—but instead I merely smile, way too pleased and appreciative to be annoyed for long.

“Why didn’t you tell me it was your birthday?” he asks, his tone colder than before. Almost like he’s annoyed.

Because you wouldn’t care.Because it doesn’t matter.That was in my head though.

To respond to his question, I shrug, hoping my eyes convey my thoughts.

“We’re married, Ariella,” he reminds me, as if I could forget the entire reason I’m in the U.S.. “It means we tell each other facts about ourselves. Mine is two days before Halloween, by the way.” He pauses, the angle of the phone changing with his movement. It puts some of his chest into view. He’s in a white button-up shirt, the top two buttons undone. “I’ll admit, I know nothing about pianos, but I was reassured that one is a top brand. If you want something else, I can make it happen.”

My head shakes rapidly to deny his latest offer, and then I lift both hands with my thumbs up, enticing a deep chuckle from him that causes my own insides to flip in pleasure.

“Got it,” he says lightly. “Glad you approve then.” He pauses again, his amusement melting away for a serious expression once more. “One day, I hope you allow me to hear you play.”

Allow.Such a simple word for a man who doesn’t require me to give any permission.

Was I wrong about him?

“I’ve heard you haven’t left your room for an entire day. Why?” he goes on.

Fucking Sebastian. I shrug.

His lips pinch. “There are consequences for lying to me.”

Nico warned me of the consequences when he was still trying to convince me to change my mind about my offer. Said theFamigliais a big deal; that they won’t hesitate to remind a woman of her role. Which goes against every bone, every fibre of my being, not to let another man dominate me.

Nothing,I mouth and shake my head slowly. Because what’s wrong doesn’t have words. Feeling alone in a life he’s already stated would get more lonely means nothing is wrong. Not to him anyway.

Again, he seems like he doesn’t believe me but instead moves on. “Fine. I didn’t call to fight with you. I wanted to see you and nothing more. Wish you a happy birthday. Ensure you’re okay since you’re worrying Carlotta and Sebastian.”

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