“That is obvious enough.”
“And did you stop to thinkwhyI did not wish to speak to you?”
“No doubt you are still ruminating on our conversation from the other day,” Hudson said simply, keeping his temper neutral. “Which if that is the case, you ought not to be. Where I appreciated your candor, brother, it behooves me to remind you that what we spoke of is not your business to worry after.”
“Is that right?”
“In fact, you disappoint me. If anything, you should have spent this trip assuring me that I did the right thing, for despite what you might have told me the last time we spoke, you and I both know that I did.”
“I do not know that?—”
“For while I am as disappointed as you are concerning the state of my marriage, I was left with no choice in the matter. A troublesome business, I do not deny that. An unavoidable one too, is my thinking. When I return home at the end of the week, I will make sure to seek out my wife and remind her of what is expected of our marriage, and I fully expect that to be the end of the matter, as Florentia is practical.”
He nodded his head once, a sense of relief felt at having gotten that off his chest. “Now, if you do not mind, I would appreciate it if we put this behind us.”
Finally, his brother turned to look at him. But it was not with a sense of agreement or relief felt at putting an end to this little spat. Rather, it was with a look of utmost bewilderment; stricken by confusion in a way that might have suggested Elias had seen a ghost sitting across from him.
“You really are...” He continued to stare. “You really have no idea, do you?”
“No idea? What is your meaning?”
“I feel sorry for you, brother,” Elias sighed. “Or perhaps I am just a fool for thinking you had changed. All this time, I thought that you were in a state of denial, but now I see how wrong I have been. You are not in denial, because to deny is to admit fault and you would never do such a thing, would you?”
Hudson ignored the insult the best he could. “Speak plainly, Elias.”
“What is it that you want? Do you want me to tell you how clever you are? How righteous? Do you wish for me to congratulate you for putting your wife in her place because shame on her for falling in love with you? Is that it?”
“I want you to acknowledge that I did nothing wrong. I explained to Florentia on our first night what was expected of our marriage—what I wished from her. She was the one who?—”
“Who made the mistake of thinking there was a human being existing somewhere inside of you.”
“Do not interrupt me,” he growled angrily.
“I thought you wanted my opinion?”
“I am starting to realize that your opinion does not matter to me.”
“Ha!” Elias barked a laugh. “No, you are starting to realize that my opinion has not changed from the last time we spoke. Nor will it, for that matter. What you have done to your wife...no.” His expression turned pained, almost pitiful.
“She is not the only one who has suffered. You, Hudson, are who I feel sorry for. And the fact that you do not understand why tells me all I need to know. Enough that I do not see the point in wasting any more words on you.” He curled his lip with disdain and then went back to look out the window.
Hudson felt a flare of anger roar to life inside of him.This isn’t how this conversation was supposed to go.Why could his brother not see Hudson’s actions for what they were? He as well as anyone should have understood why Hudson had acted as he had, forcing his wife’s affection from him before it was too late.
Oh, Hudson hated himself for it, that was not in question. And these past few days had pained him more than he knew was possible. Ironically, this pain only strengthened his resolve, as it reminded him of the folly that came with caring for others and letting his emotions rule him. It was a type of pain he never wished to feel again.
“I misunderstood you,” Hudson said, pushing the anger down because he did not wish to fight. “And I thought you of all people would see the logic in what I am doing.”
“Logic...” Again, his brother was looking at him. And again, his expression was one of pity. “That is the problem, Hudson. You speak of your marriage as if it is a business contract.”
“That is exactly what it is!”
“It is not!” Elias snapped, suddenly angry. “It never was. Do you not see? You did everything you could to try and make it so, but even you, as cold and cynical as you are, could not escape the truth of the matter.”
“And what truth is that?”
“That you love your wife, you damned fool!”
Hudson winced, pain in his chest because the words struck too close to home for his liking. He forced himself to steady, looking upon his brother coldly. “That is...it is not as simple as that.”
