He smiles, glad. “Good woman.” I calm down barely, understanding I did the appropriate factor in coming straight residence. “And what do you consider Nero?”

I nervously faucet my fingers on my knee below the desk. I don’t know the best way to reply him with out setting him off. “He’s very skilled.”

“Do you’re feeling secure with him?” I nod. “I’ve requested him to take you extra locations. I’m certain you’d wish to go someplace apart from the grocery store.”

Illness bubbles in my abdomen. “There’s nowhere I have to go.”

“Tessa, you’ve been by my aspect or locked up in that home for years. Don’t you need extra freedom?”

I believe over my reply rigorously. “I would like no matter you need.”

“And I would like you to have some freedom.”

“Why?” The phrase is out my mouth earlier than I can cease it, and I attempt to calm the panic I really feel at such a silly mistake.

However Dante simply smiles, stress-free again in his chair and watching me with amusement. “Possibly I’m becoming bored of you,” he muses. I stare at him, not daring to talk. “Possibly I’ve met another person.” I don’t react. “Or perhaps, my darling spouse, I simply wish to see you smile for as soon as. It’s not enjoyable looking at your depressing face.” And there it’s, the merciless look in his eye.

“Have you ever met somebody?” I ask. I’m unsure how I really feel about this potential new info. I’ve by no means actually thought of what would occur if Dante met another person. Would it not imply I’d get freedom? Most likely not, as he’s not the kind to let me stroll away. That thought sits in my thoughts whereas I wait patiently for him to reply.

“You used to smile,” he continues like I haven’t spoken. “Even within the early days whenever you hated me.” I don’t level out that I’ve at all times hated him. “There have been occasions whenever you’d virtually look comfortable.” I grit my enamel collectively till they ache. He’s fucking delusional. I’ve been in survival mode for the reason that day he pressured me to pack my issues and dwell with him, and any smile I’ll have despatched his manner was purely to maintain him from hurting me. “After I confirmed you the brand new home, that was a contented second.” He’s speaking like he’s misplaced in thought and I’m not likely sitting right here eager to scream. “I wish to see you smile once more.” He simply must cease torturing me along with his sick video games. “I believe we must always have a baby.”

“No!” I yell, virtually leaping out my seat. Dante arches a forehead, and I chunk my decrease lip, glancing spherical nervously on the few individuals who look over at my outburst. I take a breath and decrease again down. “I imply, I don’t assume it’s the appropriate time.”

“You speak like I would like your permission.”

The meals arrives and he takes my plate, scraping half the salad from it earlier than putting it again in entrance of me. Controlling my meals is one in every of his favorite issues to do. He doesn’t care if we’re in a restaurant, entertaining mates, or alone, he at all times removes one thing from my plate. I stare down on the inexperienced leaves I’m left with, many of the olives and feta now on a serviette. My abdomen growls in protest and I combat again my tears.

“In order for you a baby, I’d have to eat correctly,” I mutter, unable to cease myself.

“You additionally should be a wholesome weight,” he snipes, and I chunk my lip. Answering him a second time will lead to a painful evening. The reality is, if I lose any extra weight, I’ll be bones.

“I’d additionally need to see medical professionals,” I add. He’d hate that. Not solely as a result of they may see the bruises he leaves on my pores and skin, but additionally as a result of they may attain out a hand to assist, and fuck is aware of I’d take it. I haven’t seen a health care provider or nurse since earlier than I met him eight years in the past.

“I’d by no means deny you medical remedy, Tessa. What are you making an attempt to say?” He’s daring me to name him out. After I don’t reply, he smirks. “You’re clumsy, and also you bruise far too simply, proper?” I nod begrudgingly. He’s drilled it into me so many occasions that it might at all times be my phrase towards his, and who would imagine me? A messed-up child who grew up in a care residence. The police may by no means absolutely shield me, and he’d kill me, I’ve little question about that, however then he’d discover Callie and finish her too. My thoughts wanders again to Emerson and that very same feeling of illness and ache swills round in my abdomen.

I push the plate of leaves away. “I’m drained. Can we go residence?”

He smiles. “After I’ve completed consuming.”

NERO

“You’re very quiet in the present day,” I say, watching Tessa as she scrubs the spotlessly clear kitchen cabinets. “Have you ever eaten breakfast?” She shakes her head however continues scrubbing. “Didn’t you clear these simply the opposite day?”

“I don’t have to exit in the present day. Be happy to go and maintain busy,” she mutters.

“Dante insisted I take you out in the present day.”

She stops, and her fingers fall to her knees. I hear her silently sobbing and rush over. “Tessa, what’s mistaken?” I gently contact her arm, and when she jumps in fright, I maintain my fingers up. “Sorry, I used to be simply checking you had been okay.” She jumps down off the kitchen worktop and sways, grabbing maintain of the aspect to regular herself. I catch her, and he or she has no alternative however to lean on me as I information her over to a stool. “You haven’t eaten correctly in days, have you ever?” I ask, and he or she shakes her head. “Let me get you one thing.”

“I’m high-quality.”

I ignore her and open the kitchen cabinet. It’s empty. I frown and go to the subsequent, then the subsequent, however they’re all naked. She watches with terror in her eyes. I am going to the fridge, however once more, it’s empty other than a small quantity of milk and butter. “The place’s the meals?”

“I . . . I, erm . . .” She places her head in her fingers, and I am going again to her, crouching down and tugging her fingers away.

“Tessa, what’s happening?” Her tears fall silently with a glance of hopelessness on her face. “Why isn’t there any meals in the home?”

“I have to buy groceries.”

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