Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 116471 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 582(@200wpm)___ 466(@250wpm)___ 388(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 116471 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 582(@200wpm)___ 466(@250wpm)___ 388(@300wpm)
I wasn’t sure when I actually fell asleep. My mind kept obsessing over Samuel’s second phone. I had to find out what it was about. I couldn’t confront Samuel if I didn’t have any hints.
And even then…
Samuel’s alarm woke me. He got up before I had even managed to open my eyes. Being an early bird was definitely harder after I had wine.
I sat up and quickly slid into my wheelchair. Samuel disappeared into the bathroom and closed the door.
With a cautious glance at the closed door, I hurried toward the walk-in closet.
Samuel’s taupe jacket hung from a coat stand. I reached up and fumbled for the pocket. When I felt something solid, I tried to reach in. I pushed myself up and finally managed to grip the phone. I listened closely. The water in the bathroom was still running. I stared at the screen. When I touched the screen, I could see the beginning of a Whatsapp message from a person called F. The message read: When can we see each other again?
My pulse raced as my thoughts tumbled over each other. What swipe gesture had Samuel used to unlock his other phone? Maybe it was the same for this.
I tried an inverted L, but that didn’t work. Then an L with a 45 degree angle instead of ninety, but still nothing.
The click of the doorknob being turned made me look up. The shower wasn’t running anymore. I pushed up and shoved the phone back into the jacket pocket then plopped down. I didn’t have time to move out of the walk-in closet though before Samuel walked out of the bathroom. His eyes moved from the vacant bed to me. His brows puckered. “Are you looking for something?”
“Uh, I forgot that my clothes still haven’t been moved out of my luggage.”
I motioned to the three suitcases beside my side of the bed.
Samuel gave a slow nod. He came toward me, only in boxers. With the narrow space of the closet, he stood very close to me as he grabbed his white shirt and suit from the hangers. After having read the message from F., having him so close was difficult. I wheeled out so he could dress. I could feel his eyes on me as I rummaged through the suitcase, which lay propped up on a suitcase holder.
“I’m in a hurry. I don’t think we’ll have time to have breakfast together.”
“That’s okay,” I said without looking up from my suitcase as if I had to solve a difficult math equation and not just pick an outfit for the day.
“All right,” he said slowly. After a moment of silence, he finally walked out.
I sucked in a deep breath and closed my eyes against the deep sense of despair. I balled my hands to fists and counted to five until I had a grip on myself. During the desperate moments of my recovery, I’d often counted to five, ten, or sometimes even much higher to calm myself. When I opened my eyes again, I felt more in control.
I picked my favorite summer dress with a floral print and spaghetti straps. I stayed barefoot, not in the mood to wear the same shoes as yesterday, and the others were still downstairs in packages.
Without Samuel at the table, I chatted with Giorgia during breakfast and told her what I’d witnessed. She messaged me back at once.
That’s suspicious. But there could still be another explanation.
Azzurra came in. I hadn’t touched the cornetto on my plate yet and had only taken a sip of my cappuccino. The events of the morning had spoiled my appetite.
“Mrs. Mione is here to see you.”
Ines poked her head in behind Azzurra with an apologetic smile. “Can I come in? I hope I don’t interrupt you?”
“Ines, good morning,” I said in surprise and turned my phone off. I didn’t want Ines to find out I suspected her son of infidelity. “Please come in. Do you want to join me for breakfast?”
Ines came over and kissed my cheeks in greeting before she sank down across from me in Samuel’s place. “I only had a fruit salad…” She eyed the assortment of pastries. “Oh well.” She picked up a cornetto and smiled as she took a bite.
“Did Samuel ask you to come over to keep an eye on me because he worried I can’t be alone?” I motioned at the wheelchair.
Ines smiled, a hint of embarrassment playing across her face. “He called me this morning and asked if I could come over to help you put your clothes in the closet.”
“That’s all?”
She let out a laugh. “He’s worried because this is a new house for you, and you don’t know anyone yet.”
“I’m used to spending lots of time on my own in a house. I can handle it, especially because Samuel made sure the house is accessible.”