—Natasha's POV—
The study was really quiet now. This quiet was not nice anymore. It felt bad. The quiet was like a heavy blanket that was pressing down on Natasha and Rafe. It was hard to breathe. The fire was still burning,. It did not feel warm anymore. The light from the fire seemed to be moving from Rafe because of what he just said. Natasha could only hear her own heart beating fast. The silence in the study was no longer nice. It had become a feeling. The warmth from the fire was gone. Natasha and Rafe were left with the quiet and the bad feeling. The quiet was like a problem that was hanging in the air. Natasha could hear her heart beating. The silence, in the study was bad.
He hadn’t moved. He remained by the great stone fireplace, a statue carved from shadow and withheld history
