Heart of Stone by C.K. Bennett

Author:C.K. Bennett [Bennett, C.K.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Midgard Press AS
Published: 2022-04-17T10:27:17+00:00

27

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Anchor

Because of all the drama I’d endured lately, I opted for a braindead show about a group of housewives who continued to make a big deal out of things that were utterly trivial. For some reason, it made me feel better about being genuinely troubled by my situation – it helped justify my feelings about everything.

It was rather comical seeing these women moaning and fighting over things that were mere bagatelles. Meanwhile, I was trapped on an island with a man I struggled to understand, having fled the country because my life was at risk, leaving everyone I held dear behind. My friends had no way of contacting me, and I could only speak to my family every so often, and never directly.

I’d been raised surrounded by crime and bloodshed, and was set to marry a man who thrived on that lifestyle. There was hardly light at the end of the tunnel in my case. My education had been put on hold – in fact my whole life had been put on hold.

I wondered how these women would have coped had they been in my place. Probably not well.

One thing was certain: Leo would never have tolerated a woman like that. I mean, he could barely tolerate me, and I considered myself quite mild compared to them. I hardly ever complained – at least not seriously – and I hardly ever shouted at him, nor did I seek attention. And, if I did seek attention, it was rarely Leo’s.

Sighing, I patted my stomach. I’d eaten too much, but the pasta had been so good that I hadn’t been able to stop myself. I picked up my glass of wine. I’d nearly finished a whole bottle on my own by now, but the more intoxicated I got, the funnier the show became.

I wasn’t sure what time it was when someone knocked on the door, but I’d watched a total of four episodes.

‘Yeah?’ I drained the rest of the wine in my glass.

Leo opened the door. A frown was on his face, his eyes set on the TV. He leaned against the doorpost.

‘What are you watching?’

‘I want to say a parody, but I think it’s meant to be taken seriously.’

‘It looks chaotic.’ He hesitated. ‘And sounds chaotic.’

I giggled. He’d come in at a prime time. The ladies were in the middle of a passionate catfight. ‘It is. And that’s putting it mildly.’

He looked at his Bulgari. ‘Well, it’s getting late.’

‘What time is it?’

‘One AM.’

‘Really?’

‘Yeah. You should go to bed, catch some more sleep.’

My lower lip protruded. ‘But I’m not tired.’

A sigh escaped him. Delving his hand into his pocket, he walked in and closed the door. My eyes widened. Was he going to keep me company?

I tensed with anticipation as he drew nearer. If he sat down next to me, he’d blow my mind. Leo watching TV with me seemed so domestic. I couldn’t reconcile it with his character; I rarely saw him spend time on something that wasn’t productive.

He stopped next to the table and tucked his remaining hand into his other pocket.

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