She doesn't look convinced, and I notice how she glances at her watch. "You usually don't take a break this early in theday."
I sit down on the opposite end of the window seat. Not touching. Giving her space. She watches me warily.
"How are you feeling?" I ask.
"Fine."
But she's not fine. I can see it in the dark circles under her eyes. The way her sweater hangs loose on her frame. The careful blankness of her expression.
"When was the last time you ate?"
"Breakfast."
"It's almost dinner."
She shrugs. "I wasn't hungry."
"You're pregnant. You need to eat."
She narrows her eyes at me.
"I'm aware." Her voice has an edge now. Good. Anger I can work with. "Is that why you're here? To lecture me about nutrition?"
"No." I run a hand through my hair. This is harder than I thought. "I'm here because my mother told me you've become a ghost."
She rolls her eyes. "Your mother is very perceptive."
"She is."
Sera turns back to the window. "Well, now you've confirmed things. Mission accomplished. You can go back to your office now."
I don't move.
"Bianca said you've barely spoken in two weeks."
"There's nothing to say."
"That's not true."
"Isn't it?" She glares at me. "What would you like me to say, Adrian? That I'm thrilled to be locked in this house while you hunt my brother? That I'm grateful you forced me into a marriage I never wanted? That I'm adjusting beautifully to being your breeding stock?"
"Don't call yourself that," I growl. "That's not what you are."
Her hand rests on her still-flat stomach. "I'm here because I'm carrying your child. That's the only reason you married me. The only reason you keep me here."
"That's not?—"
"Don't lie." Her voice is quiet. Defeated. "Not about this. Please."
Thepleasebreaks something in me.
"You're right."
She blinks. Clearly expecting a fight.
I'm not going to give her one.
"I did marry you because of the baby." I force myself to meet her eyes. "But that's not the only reason I'm sitting here now."
