The Seventh Letter

Chapter 2

Back home, the motion-sensor light in the entryway clicked on right on cue.

I felt a wave of exhaustion I had never experienced before.

This was the warm-toned bulb Robert had installed specifically for me. He said it would make me feel welcomed the moment I walked through the door.

"Go take a hot bath. Dinner will be ready soon." Robert took my coat and hung it on the rack.

I nodded and walked straight to the bathroom, locking the door behind me.

The sound of running water filled the room, drowning out everything beyond the walls.

I leaned against the sink and pulled from my bag the letter Robert had opened and resealed with glue.

The first one. Six years ago, Christmas Eve.

The edges of the paper had yellowed, but the handwriting was still sharp.

Torrin's writing was always like this. Heavy pressure behind every stroke, as if he were trying to carve the words into the page:

Vivian, if you're reading this, it means I'm already dead. Don't let Robert near you.

I bit down hard on my lip and forced myself to keep reading: Don't believe his kindness. Don't believe his love. He used your name to cut off every funding line to the company and forced me to abandon treatment. I chose the divorce because I was running out of time. I couldn't let you inherit hundreds of millions in debt, and I couldn't make you watch me become a monster who needed a machine just to breathe. Robert is dangerous. It was never just the company he wanted. It's the trust fund. And it's you. Get away from him, Vivian. As far as you can.

At the bottom of the letter, there was a single dried drop of blood.

I could picture exactly what Torrin must have looked like writing this, how much pain he had been fighting through.

And for the past six years, Robert had held me every night as I fell asleep. He whispered in my ear that Torrin was a coward, that Torrin had never deserved me.

Three knocks on the bathroom door.

"Vivian, is the water temperature alright?" Robert's voice drifted through the door, so gentle it was suffocating.

I shoved the letter into a waterproof pouch and tucked it against my body.

"It's perfect." I forced my voice to stay level.

"Good. I poured you some sparkling cider. It's on the table."

His footsteps faded.

I looked at myself in the mirror. My face was as white as a ghost's.

I took a deep breath, turned on the faucet, and splashed water over my face.

*****

When I walked out of the bathroom, I was dressed in a soft loungewear set.

The dining room lights had been dimmed. On the table sat a plate of delicate crêpes and a glass of sparkling cider.

Robert stood in an apron, slicing steak. "Come try this. I added the black truffle you love." He slid the plate toward me.

I picked up my fork and put a small piece in my mouth.

"How is it?" He looked at me expectantly.

"Delicious." I swallowed the meat that tasted like wax.

Robert smiled. He walked over, wrapped his arms around me from behind, and rested his chin on my shoulder. "Vivian, I've finalized the guest list for the wedding."

His long fingers swiped across a tablet, stopping at one entry.

"I took Torrin's name off." His tone was casual. "Since he didn't even have the nerve to accept the invitation, there's no point saving him a seat."

I stared at the harsh red line struck through the name on the screen.

"Whatever you think is best," I said quietly.

Robert pressed a satisfied kiss to the side of my face. "Good girl," he whispered. "Everything I do is to protect you. To protect us."

I lowered my eyes and watched the bubbles in my glass rise and burst, one after another.

"Robert," I said his name.

"Hm?"

"I want to go to the old quarter tomorrow." I kept my voice light. "I want to visit that old record shop."

Robert's hand paused on the steak knife for one second.

That was the place Torrin used to love.

"I have several important meetings tomorrow." He set down the knife and fork and turned to face me.

"I'll go by myself," I said, meeting his gaze.

Robert was quiet for a moment, then offered a resigned smile. "Fine. But come home early." He smoothed my hair. "I'll have David follow you."

"That's not necessary. I just want to walk on my own."

"Vivian." His voice dropped half a shade. "Have you forgotten what happened the last time you went out alone? You nearly got hit by a car." He sighed and pulled me into his arms. "I can't lose you. Just let me send David with you, alright?"

I leaned against his broad chest, listening to his steady heartbeat.

"Okay." I closed my eyes.

I knew it. That driver was really just a pair of eyes he'd arranged to watch me.