Page 47 of The Sound in Silence

Another jerky nod, a gulp, and a flash of disappointment, telling me I’ve made the right decision. “Okay, sir. What’s the alteration?”

“You will be teaching me sign language.”

Ariella

Ten minutes after Erico’s left me to change into dry clothing, I head downstairs. I’ve tossed on jean shorts and a plain tee, and tied my wet hair up in a bun, dressing almost as simple as the tank and joggers I was wearing when he agreed to wed me.

On my hand, the heavy ass sign of ownership.

Because the giant bed, the closet with both our items, and this damn house isn’t a proficient enough method to flaunt ownership, he justhadto add the ring to it.

I’m being silly. Maybe. After all, marriage equals a wedding ring, and I know that. Della gazes at hers, almost dreamily, immediately causing my own jealousy to flare. More than anything, I crave the sign of partnership—not ownership. Being chosen by a man.

My stomach feels hollow, and not because of hunger. The irony in how our lives turned out is still a bitter taste in my mouth.

Erico’s parting words flit through my mind.

“I bought that ring foryou, not Aurora…the emeralds are the exact shade of the dress you were wearing when we met…I’m not the villain you’re making me out to be…”

Iammaking him out to be a villain but only because he started it. He designed our life based on his own wants, and so be it. For a minute, when he was holding me, it seemed like something had already changed…but no. Reality crashed down and he released me, not only physically, but the faint wishing I was losing myself to.

Our bed is more inviting than ever. To bury myself into it and not come out for the rest of the day because as much as swimming made my mood light, Erico’s return sucked it all away. Even as I walk back downstairs, my limbs lack energy, compelling me in one direction only—to the bed.

But before the master of the house drags me downstairs, because I suspect that’s what would happen, I obey his earlier command. At the bottom of the steps, I pass Sebastian, who barely spares me a glance before disappearing out the front entrance.

Not even a wave to the person he’s spent all morning talking to? If I wasn’t already feeling my energy and mood drain, that knocked it down another peg.

Before Erico finds further reason to bitch, I head toward the kitchen, only for Carlotta to immediately redirect me to the attached dining room. A place Sebastian showed me in the tour, but there’s yet to be a reason to use it.

At one end of the ten-person table, there’s Erico, an iPad in one hand and a mug of coffee in the other. The entire stretch of the table has been cleared, except for the opposite end, where a serving plate, glass of water, and fork and knife wait.

“Sit, Ariella. Join me.” A command given without even looking up from his tablet.

I see how it is.I all but march my way to the far end and sit, staring at him. All this and for what? I could be eating lunch at the kitchen island, how I have been since he dropped me off. Or, better yet, poolside, per the original plan before Erico decided to reclaim his position as lord of my cage.

Nico warned me to keep my temper in check, not that he’d ever seen me upset before, but cautioned me still. Behind closed doors, the Rossi family could potentially be worse than they publicly display, and Nico was determined to make me realize how precarious my place would be.

Slumping into my seat, I sit in silence. For once, affliction aside, while waiting for something to happen. Is this his attempt at displaying power? Drag me from the pool and force me to sit through lunch with him, all while he ignores me.

I don’t realize I’m gripping the edge of my seat until Carlotta’s footsteps break my glare. She heads to my side first, resting a glass of iced tea in front of me—a drink she’s learned I enjoy—and then a fresh chicken Caesar salad. Crispy lettuce, the ideal number of croutons, freshly shaved parmesan, all mixed with a creamy salad dressing, making my mouth water nearly immediately.

I smile at her to say thanks before she walks to Erico’s end of the table. For her, he glances away from the iPad, murmurs something I don’t catch, and then she leaves us alone. The second she’s gone, he returns to the device and begins eating, all without looking away from the tablet. My sigh is small, more of a disappointed huff, as I stab the lettuce with my fork. I hoped Erico inviting me down here was for a reason, but no. I’m simply an object for him to control.

A fact I’m already well aware of, but don’t need the reminder. Knowing and experiencing it is different.

While delicious, the salad tastes almost bland. That’s what happens when the dreary clouds consume me, though. The room’s air feels neither warm nor cool. The food is both tasty and bland.

Walls.Right, my walls. My mask. How I managed for months around Della. She never suspected, even before the accident. It feels harder now—more challenging towantto put my mask back on, but while Erico doesn’t even look at me, doesn’t inquire about my meal, the difficulty is becoming less and less. Hiding my mood changes for the rest of our livesshouldbe impossible, but if this is how my life will go—being ignored—then no, it’ll be all too simple. Especially when he runs off to his city apartment and leaves me here alone, in this mansion.

Mask is on, walls are up, and I finish the remainder of my salad, sip some of the iced tea, and drop my fork onto the plate with a purposeful clang to announce I’m done.

Nothing. Not even a blink as he too scoops his final bite into his mouth.

Got it. Message received. Time to go die in bed.

I stand, shoving my chair away with annoyed huff, and walk toward the doorway. At first, I believe he’ll let me go, but then he talks in a low voice, pulling me to a pause.

“When I am present, you will join me for every meal. We will get to know one another before I introduce you to your role. This is a kindness to you, so be grateful. Given my recent promotion, I might be in and out for the next while. And you just got more valuable to my enemies. You will never leave these grounds without a bodyguard. I will not have you risk your life.”

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