Chapter Sixty-Eight: Delusions

Silence fills the receiver, and for a moment, I am terrified even to swallow in case he hears my hesitation; however, it only takes a second for his deep laugh to fill my phone’s speakers, sending chilly goosebumps up and down my spine, weakening my knees that I seek refuge by the bed.

"There are not enough ways to say no to that, Alba."

He is offering bad news, denying my rights, and rather than outrage, a dull throb eases in my centre.

Christ...I may have fallen off the deep end.

"Look, it’s just one weekend and-"

"No."

"I will be back; you have my word!"

"Your word means to me what mine means to you.”

“I merely want to introduce my life partner to the people that matter most to me there. I want my wedding to have a personal touch.”

A lie, but I pray my voice does not hint at the deception.

“Because your union means that much to you?”

He sounds vindictive as if my lie hurts him.

I love it; his anger thrills me.

I must be the only deviant in the world to get excited by a