Adrian tried to open his mouth, but the words would not come out. He raised a hand to his lips, and found them sealed shut. Breathing. He had to breathe.
Natalie appeared before him, eyes full of hurt and anger.“Goodbye, Adrian.”
“Natalie!” His eyes flew open, and he tumbled from his chair, landing in a crumpled heap on the floor.
Sunlight streamed through the windows as lark song filled the air. His clothes clung to him, slick with sweat. He blinked around, confused.Why am I in my study?
His neck and back ached, in addition to the bruises now forming on his knees. He shook his head, his thoughts moving sluggishly. He tried to slip into the library in his mind, but all he could smell was Natalie’s perfume. Her voice echoing around him.
“Natalie.” He pulled himself up and ran to her room.
He flung the door open. The bed was made, the cupboard doors open and empty. There were no powders on the dressing table, no bottles of perfume.
“She is gone.” Adrian moved towards the bed, his voice breaking as he sat on it, stroking the side she favoured when she slept.
He pulled a pillow to him, breathing deeply. The smell of her still lingered, that comforting lemon and bergamot scent. Every partof him ached, and he knew it was not just from sleeping in an armchair.
He had not been able to face returning to his room, to a bed that smelled of her. He could not bear it. And so he had slept in his study.
“It is better this way.” Adrian’s words rang as hollow as a tunnel. “It will be better this way.”
Her pained expression swam before his mind, the anger and the hurt.How little you must think of me.The words cut him deeper than the sharpest dagger.I would never have told anyone. I will never tell anyone. But I will never trust you, not now.
“Father? Why are you holding Mother’s pillow?” Melody’s voice brought him back to the present.
She was standing in the doorway, clutching a doll to her chest as she looked at him with her blue eyes. Adrian straightened, trying to pull himself together.She does not need to see me like this.
“I… What are you doing here?” Adrian swallowed, the lump in his throat making his voice a croak.
“I was looking for Mother.” Melody glanced around the room as though she expected Natalie to be hiding somewhere.
How I wish that were true.Adrian straightened, but could not quite bring himself to stand up and release the pillow. “I am afraid she is not here. She has gone to Emberly Castle.”
Melody rushed towards him, her eyes wide with excitement. “Has she gone to get me a puppy?”
“No. She… I do not think she will be coming back.” Adrian forced the words out.I might as well get this over with, better she feels the pain now than hope her stepmother will return.
“Why?” Melody frowned.
“We had an argument.” Adrian dug his fingers into the bed, steadying himself as his head swam. “And she left.”She is gone.
His daughter made a dismissive gesture with her hand. “Well, I am sure she will be back, Nanny says that space can be good after an argument. And she loves you and you love her, so everything will be fine.”
“I am afraid it is not that simple.” He needed her to understand.
Melody tugged at the hair of her doll, her brow creased. “Why not? You do love her, don’t you?”
“I do.” Adrian felt his heart stutter as though pierced like a dagger.Not that it matters.
“And she loves you.” Melody tilted her head towards him.
“I believe so.”There can be no love without trust.Natalie’s words filled him.
Melody nodded as though satisfied with this answer. “And you enjoy having her live with us?”
“Yes.”
His daughter gently patted his leg and gave him a reassuring smile that broke his heart. “Then it is simple. An argument should not keep two people who love each other apart.”
