Forgotten Luna: I'm Done Playing the Substitute

Chapter 6

William

I watched the car until it disappeared. The engine faded first, then the taillights and then nothing.

My hand was still half-raised from where I had tried to help her. She hadn’t even looked at me, not once and it hurt. Badly.

My jaw tightened slightly as I let my hand fall to my side, the moment replaying in my head whether I wanted it to or not.

The way she pulled away with disgust, like I was nothing but trash to her, and the way her voice sharpened when she spoke.

“I’ve got it.” Her voice had been cold, too cold and that wasn’t like her at all. Even when she was upset, Isabella didn’t shut me out like that.

My brow furrowed as I exhaled slowly.

What was that about? What had changed?

“She’s not usually like that, is she?” Elisa’s voice came from behind me. It was careful, and almost hesitant.

I turned slightly as she stepped closer, her expression thoughtful.

“William…” she started, then paused, like she was choosing her words. “Is Isabella mad at me? Maybe I shouldn’t have asked you to come shopping today.”

There was a flicker of something in her eyes, guilt, maybe, but I shook my head before it could fester in her head.

“It’s not your fault,” I said, my tone low and steady, and it wasn’t.

Isabella could be sensitive sometimes, but this? This felt exaggerated. She was only throwing a tantrum. I was sure.

She’d been waiting for me yesterday too, and I hadn’t made it back on time. Add today on top of that…

Yeah.

That was probably it. She was just upset, and like always she’d cool down. She always did.

I rubbed the back of my neck briefly, already dismissing the tension settling in my chest.

“I’ll talk to her,” I added. “It’s nothing serious.”

“William….” She started, but I didn't let her finish.

“Trust me, Elisa.” I cut her off gently. “Everything will be okay. You have nothing to worry about.”

“Okay.” Elisa studied me for a moment, then nodded slowly. “If you’re sure.”

“I am.” and I meant it, because this wasn’t new. Isabella would get quiet sometimes, throw in a little distance, but it never lasted.

All it took was a few words from me, a sweet gesture and a little patience then she’d soften. She always softened and it wouldn't be different this time.

The rest of the day went by with me and Elisa checking out more things at the mall and getting her whatever she wanted. By the time I got home, it was late, later than I had intended.

I had no plans on arriving that late, but it was totally out of my hands. The house greeted me with silence and I took that as the first sign that something was wrong.

I paused just inside the doorway, my hand still on the handle as I frowned slightly. It was dark, completely dark. No lights, no sound, absolutely nothing, which was weird because Isabella always left a light on for me, no matter what.

A strange feeling settled in my chest, subtle, but unfamiliar and for a second, I just stood there, listening and waiting for anything, but there was no soft clatter from the kitchen, no quiet footsteps, and no warm voice calling out

“You’re back.” and asking me to taste the new dish she'd seen on the Internet.

“I'm probably overthinking things.” I muttered to myself as I pushed the door closed behind me slowly. “She must still be upset,”

That had to be it, that was the only explanation that made sense, but still my gaze drifted toward the dining area and it was empty.

There was no food laid out, no faint aroma lingering in the air. Nothing.

That wasn’t like her.

In the years since we’d been married, Isabella had always, always, prepared dinner, even on the nights I came back late… or not at all.

“When will you be home?” She’d call sometimes, her soft voice asking me to be careful, and when I did return, there would always be something waiting.

Food, tea or that ridiculous herbal mix she insisted helped with hangovers.

It was a small, quiet routine I had never really thought about, until now, because tonight, there was nothing.

“Yeah.” My brow creased deeper as I exhaled slowly, loosening my tie. “She’s definitely upset.”

The thought was meant to settle something in me, but it didn’t.

I headed toward the bedroom, my steps slower than usual, the silence of the house pressing in around me in a way I couldn’t quite explain.

The door creaked softly as I pushed it open, dim light spilled across the room from a single nightlamp, and there she was.

Isabella in bed and for a moment, I just watched her. Something about the scene felt off, then I noticed it.

The faint tremble of her eyelashes. She wasn't asleep and my gaze sharpened slightly.

So she was pretending. A small, almost exasperated breath left me as I stepped further into the room.

“Bella.” I called, but got no response. I moved closer, stopping beside the bed, looking down at her.

“You’re awake, I know you are ” I said again, but still didn't get a response.

The fact that she was awake and not answering me lit up something inside me, so I blurted out the words without thinking.

“Why didn’t you wait for me to have dinner together tonight?”