I long to get home, desperate to shower away the sense of griminess that clings to me and calm my racing mind. The shower water is hot, and the feeling of the water cascading off me does nothing for my troubled thoughts. I change into pajamas and am just about ready to turn down the bed when I hear my name being yelled from downstairs. Lina! The voice is demanding, angry, unforgettable. It belongs to Adrian.
I pause, my heart racing as I hold onto the edge of the bed. I head downstairs, my legs hesitating to move. We have to talk, he says menacingly.
If this is about Rose, I quickly respond that I am not talking to her.
"You're not going to resist as much," but Rose is moving in tomorrow, Adrian states with a frown and a tightening of his eyes, and then he goes on to include so inform mother and hang in with her.
"She's moving in tomorrow?" I ask, my voice shaking with disbelief.
"Do you realize how FUCKED UP this is?" I start to say but he interrupts me.
"Would you shut up!" His voice was hard and commanding.
"Nothing's going to happen between us till we get a divorce," he presses on. "But if you like other men, what were you doing married to me?"
Forget it, I growl to myself, turning my back on him.
If you want her to move in, let her move in. I am not helping you. You will handle all her problems, I say, my voice cold.
You, he says, moving closer, and I feel a constriction in my chest.
What? Are you going to threaten me? I ask, attempting to cloak my fear with fury.
I am also human, you know. I have feelings and limits, you see.
Remember, don't push me to the limit because then I will tell you off and walk away.
I go up to my room, hoping that sleep will clear my head. Maybe tomorrow, all of this will seem less insurmountable.
Morning comes, but there's no solace in it. Rose is in the house already. She greets me, her voice pleasant, almost sugary, but I pay no attention to her. I go back into the house with my book, trying to shut out everything else.
Shortly afterwards, she comes into my room.
Get out! You are not welcome here, I shout, putting down my book to confront her.
Sister, why have you been so cold? she asks with an oil-smooth voice. You know your time as Mrs. Blackwood will run out. Would it be better if you could be nice to me?
I scoffed, slouching back in my chair.
"Perhaps I'll keep you around as a servant," I say with heaps of sarcasm laced in my tone.
You were the one who refused to marry Adrian and now you have the audacity to come here,
Lina, she retorts.
In a relationship, a couple needs t
"Shameless," I spit back at her, every word a lash.
"Shut up!"
"If it weren't for those deceiving rumors," Rose says, attempting to hold her composure together, "then this opportunity would not have come to you,"
Opportunity? I repeat, confused.
Well, if you think it's so great, you can take it. Take my place, I snap.
Am I provoking you? Rose inquires with a slight twitch of her lips. Adrian promised to marry me when you are gone, she says, her glare focusing directly in my eyes.
I laugh. You have my blessing, I say to her.
"Who do you think you are that you can speak to me like that?" she demands as she reaches for my book. We both try to grab the book at the same time, and she stumbles and smacks her head on the corner of the bed frame. A puddle of blood starts to collect around the corner of the cut on her head.
Why did you push me, sister? she screams, holding her head.
I wasn't even touching her, I continue muttering in alarm, and Adrian enters the room. Oh my god, Is my face okay? she cries out, turning to Adrian as he approaches.
Oh my God, my face. Adrian caresses her gently, and my gut responds by clinching.
"What's going on here?" Adrian asks, his eyes flashing at me.
I begin to open my mouth in explanation, but Rose cuts me off. I had been attempting to read a book with Rose, but I pushed her away.
"Oh my God! I did not do anything," I protested.
Enough! Adrian shouts, the word cutting through the room.
Your room is where you will be confined for the remainder of the night, he says. You have the temerity to hurt your sister, then attempt to cover it up? From now on, stay away from Rose, he says, scooping her up with gentle care and hauling her out of the room.
I feel torn, heart heavy, between the man I was sold into marriage with and my own sister.
I proceed to the kitchen to get a glass of water. Passing by Adrian's library, I overhear voices, his and Rose's.
"How's the wound?" Adrian asks, his voice not as gruff as before as he attends to her.
Does it still hurt? he goes on.
"It's doing better," Rose responds with a small but relieved voice.
"You know my sister didn't mean to hurt me," Rose adds quietly. "It's only an accident."
Do not mention her, Adrian warns firmly.
"Alright, Rose," he
I head out, retreating into the safety of my room, away from the sound of their dialogue that I do not care to hear. I try to tune out the muffled noise of their activities that seem all too intimate. Then, the voice of Rose changes.
Why don't you come and relax me a bit? she asks Adrian. You've been working all day.
"I don't hear a word beyond her whisper, my mind fixed on avoiding them, and I keep my eyes locked on the pages of my book, trying to will the whole scene away."
Rose moves closer, her hands caressing Adrian's shoulders.
Stop it, Adrian speaks curtly. Do not do that.
She freezes, a pause, but her hands linger for a moment.
You can go to your room, he says sternly.
Rose bites her lip, looks down, and then reluctantly complies, retreating her hands.
Adrian stands up straight, his eyes roving the room.
He takes a slow breath, his tensed muscles relaxing fractionally.
I told you to stop, he says again, this time in a steady voice.
"Yes, Adrian," Rose whispers.
He doesn't respond right away. He shifts uncomfortably, running one hand through his hair before taking a step back to give her room.
Rose is watching him uncertainly and hesitantly.
Reading Guide:
You really think you can behave yourself? Adrian asks.
"I'm trying," she answers softly.
Good. That's enough for tonight, he says.
Her fingers jerk for an instant, but she draws them back. Adrian moves around the desk, smoothing his jacket.
Nothing else tonight, he says quietly, his voice not allowing contradiction.
Rose nods, a small, resigned smile playing at the corners of her lips. She doesn't come any closer.
"The rain's letting up," Jon tells him. "It'll be clearing later."
Rose takes a small breath, her shoulders sagging a little, and follows him a few steps behind.
The room goes silent. Each noise echoes in every click of their shoes and every rustle of their clothes.
Rose whispers, Thank you, Adrian.
He doesn't answer. He is already nowhere inside the room.