“You don’t seem surprised by this,” Henry remarked.
“Victor is nothing if not cautious.I wouldn’t put it past him to send each of his mistresses to his doctor of choice so no one would find out about his indiscretions.”
Then I darted my wide eyes toward his, remembering what he’d shared about his daughter.How he believed Victor had been having an affair with her and killed her.
“Did you ask him about Sarah?Was she one of them?”
“He wasn’t sure.Said they all looked alike.I’m hoping he kept records somewhere I can access.It’s a long shot, but maybe Victor’s hiding out with one of these women.”
“Can’t you just ask Dr.Schaffer for their names?He’s obviously cooperating if he told you everything else.”
He looked at me, and I immediately knew that was no longer possible.
“Oh.”My voice dropped to a whisper.
“He hurt someone you care about,” Henry murmured.“So I hurt him.Made sure he can never hurt anyone else.Trust me.For what he did to your mother for over ten years, he got off easy.He deserved so much worse.”
His words hung heavy between us.He didn’t sound proud.Just resolute.Like it was a fact of life.I wasn’t sure whether to be horrified or grateful.
He tore his gaze from mine and pushed back from the table.Gathering our plates, he moved to the sink with the same quiet efficiency that somehow made him seem even more dangerous.
“If you need anything, my housekeeper, Shelby, is around.As is Krystal.”He turned and started down the hallway, Cato following obediently behind him.
“So that’s it?”I called after him, carefully sliding off the stool.
He faced me once more, furrowing his brow.“What do you mean?”
“I can do whatever I want?Have free rein of your house?”
A small smile curved on his lips.“Of course.”
“I can leave then?Because that’s something I’d like to do.”
His shoulders tensed, his jaw ticking.“I told you last night.It’s not safe.”
“According to you,” I retorted, folding my arms.
“I’m trying to keep you alive, Ariana.That’s all.”
“And I’m trying not to feel like property again!”The words cracked out of me before I could stop them.“I lived ten years with someone who controlled every breath I took.And now you’re doing the exact same thing.”
His fists clenched at his sides.“I amnothinglike that monster.”
“Then stop acting like him!”
“I’mprotectingyou,” he declared, leaning into me.“That’s not the same as controlling you.”
“Isn’t it?”My voice rose, trembling with anger I couldn't swallow down.“You say I’m not your captive, but you won’t let me step off your property.You say I have choices, but every time I make one that doesn’t align with yours, it’s suddenly too dangerous.”
“I’m not going to apologize for wanting to keep you alive.”
“You don’t have to apologize,” I shot back.“But don’t pretend this is freedom.It’s not.”
He raked both hands through his hair, exhaling in frustration.“I’m sorry you feel like I’m keeping you prisoner.Truly.If you want to hate me for it, fine.Hate me.But I’d rather you hate me and live than love me and die because I let you walk into a death trap.”
My breath hitched, my traitorous heart skipping a beat at the mere sound of the word “love” rolling off his lips.But I didn’t have a chance to formulate a response before he turned sharply and stormed down the hallway, Cato trotting uncertainly after him.
The echo of his footsteps faded, leaving me standing alone in his quiet house.
