Page 40 of The Strength Of A Woman

When did he get a girlfriend? Is she his girlfriend?

I observe my grandparents as they interact with them.

They both seem to know the woman. She’s pretty and relaxed in his presence.

She clearly doesn’t know what he is capable of.

He ignores me, which works for me.

Other than that, everything seems fine, like we’ve never had that conversation, and his threats only meant to make me angry.

I move my eyes to my plate and finish my dessert, and later, I have drinks with Rory on the terrace.

We talk about my visit to town without giving her many details, and then we finally chat about the things we usually like to talk about. Shoes, dresses, and men.

We laugh and have a good time, and I’m ecstatic that no one in my family interrupts us.

I almost forget what their presence here is all about when I notice Flavia sneaking by the pool and entering the house.

How come she hasn’t had dinner with us?

Weird woman. Like her sister.

She has her hair pulled up into a bun and wears a beige dress with a draped neckline and open back.

What did Joseph O’Connor see in her?

I’ll never know.

I zap that thought back with a flick of my hand.

“What was that all about?” Rory asks, amused.

“Nothing.”

We chat a little longer and call it a night at around eleven. She walks to her room while I make a beeline for mine.

The house feels like any other night.Safe, predictable, with its windows open, and a breeze that makes me think about the sea.

I push the door open and walk in.

Nona lit a few candles and left a tall glass of lemonade on the wall table.

Smiling, I kick off my shoes and start unfastening my waistband button to take off my skirt when a swift movement, like the blurring motion of a bird in flight, locks two arms around me from behind.

Squeezing me like pliers, they pull me toward the bed.

Never in a million years would I have thought that something like this would happen in my house.

A fight ensues before it crosses my mind to scream for help.

His hand comes promptly over my face, muffling my voice and cutting off my oxygen.

I choke and cough, and he starts speaking.

“What did I tell you, you little whore. You think I’m fucking with you?” Julian sneers in my ear.

My hackles rise.