The Gold I Married

Chapter Seven

Anna looked at him, her usual air of detachment softening. For a moment, she said nothing, as though searching for the right words. Finally, she sighed. “I’m sorry,” she said quietly. “I’m sorry if I wasn’t nice to you before. It’s just… I realized I’m not the only one who’s lonely in this house. You are too.”

Victor’s jaw tightened, his expression unreadable again. She continued, her voice barely above a whisper. “You barely see your father. You barely talk to anyone.”

Victor wanted to tell her she was wrong. He saw his father every day, the man loomed over his life, practically took him to school every day. But he didn’t say anything.

Instead, he looked down at the watch in his hands, the intricate design catching the light. “Thank you,” he said at last, his voice steady. A small, fleeting smile crossed his face. “I like it.”

Anna returned the smile, faint but genuine. “You’re welcome.”

As she turned and walked back to her room, Victor stood in the doorway, watching her go. For the first time, the bitterness he usually felt towards her was replaced by something else; pity.

It was a strange, uncomfortable feeling. But as he closed the door and looked at the watch again, he couldn’t shake it.

For once, it seemed, he didn’t hate her.

~~

The house was unusually quiet when Alex arrived home. The silence wrapped around him like a shroud, more oppressive than peaceful. He shrugged off his jacket and loosened his tie, his steps echoing faintly as he walked through the halls. Normally, he would find Anna waiting for him at the dining table, poised with that detached grace she carried so effortlessly. Tonight, however, the silence struck him as wrong.

As Alex approached the dining room, faint noises began to reach his ears; voices, laughter, the clatter of plates and cutlery. Confused, he quickened his pace, and what he saw when he entered made him freeze.

His dining table, the long, polished centerpiece of his home, was full, but not with guests or family. The household staff had gathered there, eating, drinking, and laughing together. Some were seated at the table, others stood chatting with plates in hand.

One of them, a young woman holding a forkful of food, laughed loudly. “That is why I can’t believe Madame is such a good cook!”

Another chimed in, gesturing with a piece of bread. “I know, right? She’s always been. And whenever she tells us to throw out her food, well… we usually take a few bites first.”

Laughter erupted from the group until one of the older staff members waved his hand frantically. “Shut up! Are you serious?”

Alex stepped into the room, his voice cutting through the chatter like a blade. “What in hell is going on in my house?”

The room fell silent immediately. Plates clattered as they were hastily set down, and every pair of eyes turned toward him. Faces that had been full of mirth now drained of color.

The head of staff, Mrs. Cora stepped forward, her hands trembling slightly as she clutched the hem of her apron. “Sir, I.... I’m so sorry. Madame... Madame Anna asked us to....”

“Madame asked you?” Alex interrupted, his tone cold and sharp. He took a step closer, his presence commanding. “And you couldn’t say no?”

Mrs. Cora’s voice wavered. “Sir, she… she insisted, and we....”

“You’ve been with me for years,Don’t you know the rules?” Alex snapped, his gaze narrowing.

“I’m so sorry, Master,” Mrs. Cora said, with a bow. Her voice was barely above a whisper, but the guilt in it was unmistakable.

Alex glared at the gathered staff, his anger simmering just beneath the surface. “All of you,” he said, his voice low and dangerous. “Go. And prepare for your punishment. And don’t let her hear a word of it.”

“Yes, Master,” the staff murmured in unison, their voices trembling. They quickly dispersed, leaving the dining room as silent as it had been before.

Alex clenched his jaw, as he turned and strode toward the stairs. His steps were quick, his anger mounting with every second. When he reached Anna’s hallway, his irritation was momentarily interrupted by an unexpected sight.

Victor stood by Anna’s door, his head tilted slightly, his ear pressed against the wood. His lips moved faintly as if whispering, though no sound escaped.

“Victor,” Alex said sharply.

Victor jumped, spinning around to face his father with wide eyes. “I.. was just passing by, Dad.” His voice was hurried, his words stumbling over each other. “I knocked, but she didn’t answer, so I was just… I was just looking to see if she was inside.”

Alex narrowed his eyes. “You were eavesdropping?”

“No! I wasn’t!” Victor’s cheeks flushed red. “I’ll go now.” And before Alex could respond, Victor bolted down the hallway, his footsteps echoing faintly as he disappeared around the corner.