AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I grabbed him by the chin, trying to force him to look at me, but he seemed frozen in that position, as if he were unable to move, apart from the slight tremors that his body had been subjected to. I was a moment away from running back in the castle and shouting for help, but he finally turned to me, blinking heavily several times. When he noticed me, he smiled.
“Lilith,” he said my name as if nothing had happened.
“Are you alright?” I asked, still breathing heavily.
“Yes, why?” he wondered, slightly frowning again.
I knew that if I asked him again or told him how afraid I was, this might push him away. I had to keep my concern to myself.
“Nothing,” I said, forcing myself to smile. “I approached you and I called out to you, but you didn’t hear me.”
“I was just thinking about some things,” he revealed, now fully facing me. The tremors were gone as if nothing had happened. Everything was alright, just like he had been assuring me this whole day. Yet, I could feel it in my bones. A dark cloud was over us and a storm was inevitable. I decided to keep the tremors to myself and see if this would happen again.
“I have a surprise for you,” I told him with a genuine smile this time.
“A surprise?” I was greeted with one of his most beautiful smiles in turn. “I love surprises.”
“A delicious one, too,” I added.
“Can I see it?” he asked.
“Of course,” I nodded, taking him by the hand. It felt cold and clammy. His was usually warm. But I didn’t mind. I wanted to hold his hand regardless of whether it was warm or cold. It was his hand.
I guided him towards the picnic table where the cake stood as a sweet offering of peace and love. His initial distance and preoccupation began to wane, much to my delight.
“It’s a cake,” he said joyfully upon seeing it.
“Not just any cake,” I pointed out. “It’s your favorite.”
His smile became wider, more genuine. It was a small but encouraging sign that our love for each other and the simple pleasures of life could help bridge this unexpected and sudden gap that had been created between us.
“I was thinking we could go and get Cass as well,” I suggested. “So, we could sit down together and have some family time.”
“Sure,” he nodded.
Hand in hand, we made our way to Cass’s room, where she had been spending time drawing and reading.
The moment we entered her room, her bright eyes lit up with a radiant smile. “Mom, Dad!” she exclaimed, setting aside her drawing pad.
I knelt down and embraced her tightly, while Adrian ruffled her hair affectionately. “We thought you might like to join us for some cake in the garden,” I said, excitement bubbling in my voice.
Cass’s eyes sparkled with delight. “Cake? Of course!”
Five minutes later, we were all seated around the picnic table, sharing slices of the chocolate cake that had brought us together. Laughter and joy filled the air, washing away the tensions of the past and reinforcing the unbreakable bond of our family. As we savored each delicious bite, the warm rays of the setting sun bathed us in a golden glow. It was a perfect moment of togetherness, a reminder that love, understanding, and the simple pleasures of life could mend even the deepest of rifts.
I had forgotten all about what happened that morning, as well as the argument in the library several hours before. None of that mattered. We were once again strong and united as a family, and I knew that nothing would tear us apart.
That night, after putting Cass to sleep, I thought Adrian would be in bed with me. I wanted to show him how much I’d missed him, how much I loved him, but the only company I had in our bedroom were the shadows which seemed to grow darker and more oppressive. He excused himself with a desire to read, kissed me on the forehead and closed the door behind him.
I couldn’t shake the feeling that history was repeating itself, that the uncertainty and fear from the morning were returning to haunt me. With a heavy sigh, I closed my eyes and tried to push away my anxieties. The soft rustle of the bedsheets and the distant sounds of the castle’s night settling in began to lull me into drowsiness. I whispered a silent prayer for Adrian’s safety, hoping that he would return to our bed soon.
Chapter Seven
Adrian
In the cold and dimly lit locked room, I sat alone, my thoughts consumed by images of Lilith and our beloved daughter, Cass. The memories of our time together as a family played like a bittersweet reel in my mind, both comforting and agonizing. I recalled the warmth of Lilith's smile, the way her laughter filled the air, and the deep love that had bound us together. She was my anchor, my source of strength. She was my everything. Every time I closed my eyes, all I could see was them.
I felt a little better now, but in light of everything I came to find out, I knew that my road back would be a difficult one. Constantine would not just let me go. I knew that well. I had to find my own way back to my family.
