Chapter3
1102 Words
Cecily’s POV
I stood in the kitchen long after Keenan left. His words stayed in the air like smoke.
Wear a scarf next time.
Not are you okay? Not ignore my mother.
Not even good morning. Just cover the marks he had put on me himself.
I looked down at my hands. They were trembling again. I hated that I still let him affect me this much. I hated that one cold sentence from him could ruin my whole day. But more than anything, I hated that even now, I was making excuses for him in my head.
Maybe he was stressed. Maybe he didn’t mean it that way. Maybe he cared and just didn’t know how to show it.
Maybe.
Maybe.
Maybe.
Three years of marriage and I was still living on maybes. I cleaned the kitchen in silence after the maids left. They usually tried to help, but Elizabeth liked to remind everyone that I should know how to “earn my keep.”
So I scrubbed counters, Washed dishes. Folded towels. Wiped already clean surfaces. Anything to keep my mind busy.
Around noon, Lily came in quietly.
She was the youngest maid in the house, barely nineteen, with kind eyes and soft hands.
“Madam,” she said gently. “You haven’t eaten.”
“I’m not hungry.”
She hesitated, then stepped closer. “You should still eat something.”
I forced a smile. “You sound older than me.”
She smiled back for a second, then her face fell.
“I heard what happened this morning.”
Of course she did. Everyone in the house always heard everything.
“It’s fine,” I said. It wasn’t.
Lily looked like she wanted to say more, but footsteps sounded from the hall and she quickly moved away.
Elizabeth entered the kitchen like a storm cloud.
“So this is where you are.”
I straightened.
“Yes, Mother.”
“You’re going with me this afternoon.”
I blinked. “Where?”
“To lunch.”
The surprise must have shown on my face because she narrowed hers.
“Do not flatter yourself. It is not because I enjoy your company.”
“Then why am I going?”
She gave me a cold smile.
“Because people are asking questions.”
Questions.
I already knew what kind.
Why had the Dakotas’ only son married a girl like me? Why was there still no child?
Why did his wife always look lonely?
“Be ready by one,” she said. “And wear something decent for once.”
She walked out before I could answer.
Lily let out a breath.
“I’m sorry, Madam.”
I laughed softly.
“Don’t be. It’s not your fault.”
But inside, dread was already growing. By one o’clock, I was dressed in a simple cream dress and low heels.
Nothing flashy. Nothing that would offend Elizabeth. I tied a silk scarf around my neck.
The marks were hidden now. Just the way Keenan wanted. When I came downstairs, he was in the living room, speaking on the phone.
Dark suit, his sleeves rolled once, his watch gleaming on his wrist.
He looked expensive.. He glanced at me as I walked past. Just one look. Then his eyes paused on the scarf.
Something unreadable crossed his face….He ended the call.
“You’re going out?”
“With your mother.” He gave a short nod.
He didn't look surprise or concerned.
He reached for his car keys.
Then said, “Take the driver.”
“I know.”
I moved toward the door.
“Cecily.”
I froze….It was rare for him to say my name first.I turned.
He looked like he wanted to say something else. Instead, he only said, “I’ll be late tonight.” And just like that, the moment was gone.
Lunch was worse than I expected.
Three of Elizabeth’s friends were already seated when we arrived. Rich women with perfect nails, bright smiles, and eyes that missed nothing.
They greeted Elizabeth warmly. Then looked at me like I was an interesting stain.
“This is Keenan’s wife?” one of them said.
“Yes,” Elizabeth replied.
The woman smiled too widely.
“She’s... younger than I expected.”
Another laughed softly.
“And prettier.”
“Pretty doesn’t run a household,” Elizabeth said as she sat down.
The women chuckled. I took my seat quietly.
The questions started soon after.
“So, Cecily, what does your family do?”
“How did you and Keenan meet?”
“Do you work?”
“When should we expect good news?”
Good news…Always the same coded words.
A baby.
I answered politely, one by one. My chest tightened more each minute. Then one woman leaned closer.
“Three years is a long time,” she said sweetly. “Have you seen a doctor?”
The table fell quiet. Elizabeth lifted her tea, I knew she was enjoying this. I placed my fork down carefully.
“Yes,” I said.
“And?”
I met the woman’s eyes.
“And the doctor said some things take time.”
She smiled like she pitied me…Poor barren wife.
I excused myself before they could ask more. In the restroom, I locked myself in a stall and pressed a hand over my mouth.
I would not cry….Not here.
Not because of them, I stayed there until my breathing steadied. When I came out, someone was standing by the sink.
Keenan…I froze.
“What are you doing here?”
He leaned against the counter, jaw tight “I had a meeting nearby.”
That was a lie…He hated this part of town. He looked at my face.
“Did she make you cry?”
“No.”
“Cecily.”
“No.”
He stepped closer….For once, there was no ice in his eyes. Only anger…Not at me.
“At them.”
“I’m fine,” I whispered.
“You’re a terrible liar.”
My throat hurt. He reached up slowly, touching the edge of my scarf.
“Take this off.”
“What?”
“It’s too tight.”
His fingers brushed my neck as he loosened it. The touch was gentle…So gentle it nearly broke me.
Then he saw the faint bruise still visible beneath. The mark he gave me.His jaw flexed.
“I told you to cover it.”
Something in me snapped.
“You told me to hide it,” I said quietly.
His eyes lifted to mine….We stared at each other.
Years of silence between us.
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