Page 3 of The Sound in Silence

Meaning he didn’t want a war he couldn’t win.

“Of all the women I thought I’d be offering to you, she was at the bottom of my list. If you don’t accept, then—”

I cut him off again. “She’s fine. I accept.”

He jerks. “Just like that?”

No.

Yes.

Father will be pissed I’m not arguing, but the mystery surrounding Ariella distracted my mind for days after the engagement party. After I finally managed to get her out of my head, Nico’s wedding brought all those thoughts back when I watched her walk down the aisle. When I should have been observing the ceremony, I was instead preoccupied by studying her standing up there as Della’s maid-of-honour.

Everyone else at that wedding seemed happy for the couple, but Ariella didn’t. Her mouth was in a near permanent flat line, but there was no sign of dislike or hostility toward the groom. During their vows, she managed a small smile, and at the reception, she was again smiling with Della. I don’t believe it was the couple, but something certainly lowered her mood, and not knowing what—so I could fix it—drove me mad. My parents pushing me toward Aurora to dance saved me from going to Ariella.

“Not just like that,” I reply. “I have questions, but to answer yours: a future boss’s sister-in-law is still a good match.” Others might not think so—Father especially—but she still aligns us with the Corsettis. “If she’s volunteered, it’d be insulting to deny her. Agreeing to marry a stranger, move away from her home and to a new country, to be aFamigliawife, is…” I trail off, suddenly reluctant to share my thoughts.Resilient. Commendable. Enthralling.

“Yeah,” he agrees with a slight smirk. With every passing second, his stress seems to be decreasing. “There’s things you should know about her, though. Facts that might change your mind.”

Doubtful.Once again, I’m struck with appreciation for Nico because if he believes what he’s about to tell me would change my mind, it’s admirable not to be hiding it.

“Ariella and Della have had a difficult past, but Ariella more than her sister.”

I move to the edge of my chair, dreading his next words, but also anxious.

“Two years ago, Ariella and their mother were in a car accident. Their mother was killed.”

Fuck.

“Losing her mother, or the accident itself—something in that event changed Ariella. Now, she only verbally speaks to her sister. She was diagnosed with trauma-induced selective mutism.”

That explains why she wouldn’t talk to me at the engagement party. It wasn’t her being shy, rude, or averse. Shecouldn’t.

She lost her mother and her voice in one go. A burning spreads through my body, but I can’t identify it. Even glancing at the door behind me, imagining her somewhere beyond it, has me shifting in the chair, needing this conversation to end soon so I can find her.

“So you can see why this adds a challenge?”

It doesn’t.

Perhaps it should but I don’t care. We’ll get through it.

Father will kill me.With me taking his position soon, she’ll be a Boss’s wife. How will she perform the social duties expected if she’s unable to talk?

But she’s the very woman who’s intrigued me for weeks now. Plagued my mind, my senses, my everything. To deny her offer, to turn away from his proposal, makes me sick to consider.

“She’s spent the past few years in a medical centre, which is where their stepfather shoved her after the accident. Recently, she’s moved in here so she’s still adjusting. My family’s doctor has her file, but she’s refusing any form of further treatment.” He holds up his hands, palms out, like he’s defending his own actions. “Ultimately, it’s her choice what she does so I haven’t pushed. Nor do I know the details of the conversations she and the doctor have had.”

“It’s fine. I’ll get her set up with theFamigliadoctor.”

“You’re okay with this?” he checks, gripping his cup a bit tighter than before. Like the final offer to still turn away is making him apprehensive again.

“The agreement stands, Corsetti.”

He tips his head a fraction in acknowledgement, takes a swig of his drink, and when it lowers back down, two fingers lift to gesture toward me. “You have questions. Go ahead and ask them.”

“Not for you. For her. I want to see her.”

Ariella

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