Page 111 of Whispers in the Dark
However, witnessing it firsthand is another thing entirely.
And it leaves me shaken in a way I didn’t expect.
Mauro crouches before me, but I can’t face him. There are too many emotions swirling inside me, causing tears to spill out of my eyes as my heart thrashes against my rib cage.
His fingers slip beneath my chin, lifting my face until our eyes meet. My breath catches, fear blooming that he can see the truth that’s sitting on the tip of my tongue. Or sense the way my heart beats for him with so much longing.
He closes his eyes, drawing in a slow, steady breath, then straightens and offers me his hand.
Hesitantly, I place my palm in his. He’s extra gentle as he helps me to my feet and then quickly turns, leading us out of the space. Elio awaits nearby, and Mauro gestures to him with a hand to take care of the mess left behind us.
We don’t head back to the table with the rest of his family.
Instead, we walk straight for the exit, where Joey waits with my coat. Mauro takes it and holds it open for me. I slip my arms into the sleeves and cinch it tight around my waist, but the cold still seeps in.
The ride home passes in complete silence, the weight of everything unsaid riding with us.
I can’t shake the feeling that I’ve done something wrong. So I stare out the window, tears slipping freely down my cheeks as I brace myself for the ending I’m convinced is waiting for us once we get home.
The car rolls through the familiar iron gates, slowing as it comes to a stop in front of Mauro’s house. We step out together, but he moves ahead of me, unlocking the door and walking inside without waiting for me like he always does.
My shoulders curve in as I cross the threshold, removing my jacket and hanging it beside the door.
I head toward the living room, coated in darkness, finding him standing beside the fire, staring outside, his mind a million miles away. His back is tight, lined with tension, his hands uncurling and curling into fists over and over again.
Cautiously, I step toward him, leaving a good distance between us. “Mauro,” I whisper, looking at the ground. “I think we should talk.”
He goes still, apprehension settling into his frame as he turns to face me.
And that’s when I see it.
So much anguish.
So much pain.
“I…”
You want to end this marriage.
“What?” I frown, my brows knitting together. “Why would you think that?”
That man was right.
“The man you just killed?”
His nostrils flare, and he turns away from me, his back rigid.
“Mauro,” I say, my voice sharper than I intend. “Talk to me. Tell me what’s going on inside your head. I don’t understand—”
He whirls around, his finger pointing at me. “Beauty,” he lashes out, his voice fierce and unsteady. He jabs his finger directly over his heart. “Beast.” His chest pants with labored force, each breath dragged in like it pains him to do so.
“Is that what you truly think?” I ask softly, fighting the sob clawing its way up my throat as my heart breaks for the man before me.
You deserve to be with someone worthy of you. Someone who makes you feel proud when you stand by their side. That person isn’t me. I’m a hideous beast covered in scars. A monster with no soul. And you know it. I see it in your eyes right now.Silence stretches between us, thick and suffocating. He looks off before staring back at me.This marriage was doomed from the start, and that’s my fault.His shoulders sag under the weight of the words.We only have a short amount of time left on the contract, but if you can’t wait it out, I understand.My heart pounds so loudly I’m sure he can hear it.And I’ll…He swallows hard.I’ll let you go.
The words pierce my chest like a bullet.
He drops his head, fingers raking through his hair.
