Page 78 of The Sound in Silence

I also push into a sitting position, curious of his thoughts on this topic. “Yeah?”

“Yeah. I mean, never met Vanessa, but I’ve seen pictures. Pleased your father isn’t trying to use me for the connection. I’d be insulted if I cared. She justlookslike a bitch.”

“She is.” Thinking about what she did to Ariella today, I recount what my wife told me she said.

“I take it back then. Triple bitch. Good on Ariella for standing up for herself like that. In front of the heads too. They’ll all see now, you and her are the real deal.”

The real deal.The corner of my mouth pulls into a smirk at the concept.

He catches it, of course, and reaches over to shove a hand into my shoulder. “Except, thought you didn’t want the real deal.”

“I didn’t. But she’s…I don’t know, man. Different.”

“Didn’t know that was possible.”

“Me either.” I lift my gaze, focusing on my cousin so he sees my true feelings. “You know better than anyone what I planned for my marriage, but something about her never fit that mold. No matter how much I tried to make it a thing in the beginning, I just…couldn’t.”

“My point exactly, cuz. With Vanessa, you wouldn’t have these struggles. The fact you are with Ariella says she’s best for you.”

His statement would almost be emotional if I didn’t know better. After Caladin lost his parents when he was ten, he blamed them both for orphaning him. Their love for one another was the reason they were together, and he thinks love is dangerous. It made for amusing conversations when we were dumb teens and aware of what our futures would entail: marriage. He doesn’t want love because it’s a danger, and I don’t for how distracting the emotion can be.

“Getting all emotional on me now,” I tease.

He shoves into me again, scoffing. “Whatever. Says the guy obsessing over his wife.” He pushes to his feet in a single, swift movement and reaches a hand down for me. “Come on. We’re not done. Still gotta kick your ass.”

Ariella

Floating on my back in the pool, I reflect on Erico and me. Based on the way he kissed me after the party gone wrong, I was so certain we’d sleep together, but then he pulled away to do his job.

The old me would have fallen into self-deprecating hatred, believing I wasn’t enough for him, so I’m proud I didn’t. The look in his eyes said he wasn’t my Erico, so he’s right. Whatever demons were in his head, they were robbing me of my husband, so having sex wouldn’t be everything wecouldbe.

That was two days ago and since then, it seems like I’ve hardly seen him besides the time I spend in my music room, when he still takes his breaks to observe, kissing me every chance he gets.

Each night since, he comes to bed very late but seems calm when he does. He always starts out on his side of the bed, but at some time in the night, I end up in his arms, which I don’t mind. He’s very warm and holds me tightly. He feels like everything I’ve ever dreamed of finally coming to life.

Maybe the white-picket fence dream is coming true. We haven’t spoken about it lately, but he’ll need heirs in time. Step one:bewith him, but if progress continues how it’s been, then perhaps our child and me won’t only be an accessory for him. I want to hope we’ll be a family. A true family. One I’ve spent years dreaming about having.

My phone ringing has me rushing from one end of the pool to the other. Water pours off me as I climb out and I quickly wipe my hands on the towel before answering the call, catching Della’s name on the screen.

“Hey,” she starts immediately. “Haven’t heard from you in days, since you left Montreal. How’s things?”

“Good. Great.” I take a seat on the edge of the pool, dangling my legs into the water as I stare at the glistening ocean around us. The late afternoon sun shines over the calm water.

“Great?” she echoes. “That’s…promising.”

I shrug though she can’t see me. “I don’t know, Della. I’ve been feeling good.”

“A certain mafia boss has something to do with that, I assume.”

“Yeah. He’s just…he’s more than I thought I’d get. What I always hoped for.”

“You mean the man and life that you used to dream about?” Of course she remembers because when she was trying to talk me out of the union, it was the point she continued to utilize. “That’s good though. Not everyone in this life sucks, and I’m glad you’re finding happiness. He seemed boring when I met him at the engagement party, but then, he was also with his parents and there to meet Aurora. Seems like you’re stealing his heart.”

“I wouldn’t go that far.”

Prickles dance up and down my spine, forcing my gaze away, and to the house behind me. Movement in one of the windows catches my eye and I spot him approaching the window, leaning against the nearest wall to watch me from his office. I smile, even though I’m not sure he can see it from his distance and turn back to face the pool again.

Della makes a noise. “Well. I’m glad things are good. He’s not making you uncomfortable at all?”

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