They crossed the city. Crispina took a deep breath when her parents’ house came into view. She hadn’t seen her parents since the wedding. Now, she was to show up on their doorstep, disgraced and abandoned for a second time.
The slave manning the front door let them in, not without a curious glance or two, then went to fetch Crispina’s mother. Crispina dismissed Taurus, then waited in the atrium.
Fresh dread swirled in her stomach. She would have done anything to avoid this confrontation if it were possible. She braced herself for her parents’ displeasure and pity.
Footsteps sounded, and Mother came into view, flanked by one of her maids. She frowned at the sight of Crispina. “Was I expecting you? It’s rather early.”
Crispina shook her head. “I’m afraid…” She swallowed hard, forcing herself to get the words out. “Aelius and I are separating. We plan to divorce after the election.”
Mother’s manicured eyebrows shot up. “Blessed Juno. You couldn’t even please a freedman?”
Crispina flinched. “Don’t talk about him that way.”
“Well, it’s what he is. Really, Crispina. Two divorces in as many years? It’s just embarrassing at this point.”
Crispina pushed past her. “Excuse me, I’d like to lie down.” She left the atrium and went to her old room, dusty and stripped of belongings. At least the bed was still there, though no linens were on it. She sat heavily on the bare mattress, then buried her face in her hands and let the tears come.
Chapter 27
Aelius sat in the atrium with his mother, staring dully at his untouched plate of breakfast. Crispina had left less than an hour ago. Already the house felt darker.
Gaia wasn’t eating either. A heavy silence reigned between them. Aelius detected blame and sadness in his mother’s downcast gaze and tense shoulders. He knew the loss of Crispina had hit her hard, and that she resented him for not being able to forgive.
He cut a fig into tiny slivers, the knife clicking against his plate. Once it had been thoroughly disemboweled, he cleared his throat and spoke. “I will make inquiries about a suitable property in the countryside we could let.” The prospect of living out the rest of his days in quiet, comfortable obscurity was as unappealing as the mangled fig on the plate before him.
Gaia nodded in acceptance. “If that is what you wish.”
“I thought that’s whatyouwished.” He couldn’t keep the sharpness from his tone.
Her gaze flicked up, anger sparking in her dark eyes. “If you cared what I wished, you would not have sent her—"
Max, who had been hiding in the kitchen since Crispina left, trudged into the atrium, shoulders bowed and face glowering.
Gaia rose to her feet. “Max! Would you like some breakfast?”
Fists clenched, Max marched straight up to Aelius and kicked him hard in the shin. Before Aelius could do more than let out a shocked yelp, Max aimed another kick at him.
“This is your fault!” Max yelled. He landed a punch to Aelius’s shoulder. “She’s gone and it’s all your fault! Ihateyou.”
“Stop it!” Aelius ducked as Max launched another blow. He managed to grab the boy’s arm. A brief scuffle ensued. Max was quick, vicious, and angry, but Aelius used his superior reach to grab Max by the neck of his tunic and hold him at arm’s length.
Max twisted and pummeled Aelius’s arm. “Let me go,” he snarled.
“I will when you’ve calmed yourself.”
Max glared at him, still trying to break free. Gaia watched the display with wide eyes, but did not intervene. She probably thought Aelius deserved a few more kicks.
“I can stay like this all day.” Aelius affected a cool, disinterested tone, but winced as Max landed another punch to his forearm.
Finally, Max seemed to tire himself out. His shoulders slumped, and he stopped trying to hit Aelius. Aelius released him. Max dropped to the floor, curling into a tight ball, his head buried in his knees.
His narrow shoulders shook, and Aelius realized he was crying. Aelius’s heart twisted.This is your fault. He cast a helpless glance at his mother. “Can’t you do something?”
She shook her head. “This is your problem to solve.” She rose and departed the atrium, leaving Aelius alone with Max.
Aelius knew many things, but how to comfort a crying child was not one of them, especially after that child had just attacked him. “Max?”
“G-go away,” Max muttered, not raising his head.
