Page 48 of The Sound in Silence

Because then who else would give you your heir?

Getting to know one another…is that what this farce was?

Thoughts course through my head until all I manage is a jerky nod before escaping out the dining room, past the kitchen, and toward the sitting room with the brightly coloured tropical fish. I’m exactly like them. Trapped in a small space, circling the glass until they go insane.

The windows all around me, the ocean beyond, this is my tank.

My deep sigh could probably be heard by Erico if he cared to listen.

Every fibre of my being longs to lie in bed for the remainder of the day, or until he drags me from it for supper, whichever comes first, but I don’t. Instead, I head back outside to the backyard, letting the warm, summer air wash over me. Ideally, it’d replace my earlier mood, but seems the weight is much too heavy. The darkness too grim to see through.

With Erico returned, my mask will never come off again. It’s slipped in the past few days while I’ve been mostly alone, but Erico isn’t allowed to witness that vulnerability.

I pass the tempting pool, but the image of him caging me has tainted the activity for today, so with a scowl, I walk toward the edge of the land, where the glass fence keeps me safe, and kneel on the ground, pushing myself as close to the barrier as possible. Below me, gentle waves rock against the land.

So fucking tempting to immerse myself within that water. To leap in and allow it to take me to new places. Maybe somewhere I’ll find genuine happiness.

I never would, of course, but would Erico care? Would he search for my body beneath the waves?

Probably not. You’re replaceable.

* * *

The wind picks up, the sun sets, and my body grows numb with the evening chill, but still I remain. It’s a pleasant sensation, and when Carlotta retrieves me for dinner, casting worried looks every step, I ignore her.

She leads me into the dining room where Erico already waits before backing away, leaving us alone. Without a word, I slink to my seat at the far end of the long table.

His dark gaze lifts from his wine glass as he stalks my steps. “You sat outside all day, and into the evening. Not the wisest or safest, Ariella.”

Reprimanding me? You can’t care that much if you never checked on me.

I shrug.

Carlotta returns with two plates of pasta, and I couldn’t have asked for tastier meal. Pasta is my weakness; the carbs no concern, given its deliciousness. I dig right in, spinning the fork until I have what’s probably an unhealthy amount of pasta on the utensil. Which I shove right into my mouth, all beneath Erico’s amused gaze.

“Enjoy pasta, huh? That’s something you haven’t mentioned.”

There’s a lot I haven’t mentioned to you.

“Be sure to serve that on the dinner menu at the next party.”

Excuse me?

A fact provided by numerous sources pre-marriage, but it was easily ignorable when Erico left for Vegas. A dinner party involves people from his life. People who’ll undoubtedly want to pay respects to their boss’s wife.

To me.

The pasta suddenly holds no flavour.

“My mother’s expecting it soon, but I’ve told her, we’d discuss it. Until you’re settled, there’s no rush.”

Settled. Not comfortable. Like a brand-new puppy brought to the home. Unsure of where to go and how to act, but with time, trained to be calm andsettleduntil the owner deems them fine to be around others.

My responding smile is tight, more lips clamped together. After this, I’m escaping to bed. It’s late enough to call it a day. I’ve human-ed enough.

When I go to bed, then what happens? This will be the first night Erico and I sleep in the same bed. Given his promotion, will he already begin trying for an heir? Based on earlier, though, he did say it’d be in my control. Maybe he’ll head back to the city and will save us both.

Erico cuts into my train of wayward thoughts. “After dinner, I have a meeting. Don’t wait up because I may be late to bed.”

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