The Seventh Letter

Chapter 4

That evening, Robert came home early.

He carried a small paper bag from a bakery, a Black Forest cake, my favorite.

"How was the old quarter? Did you enjoy yourself?" He was loosening his tie as he walked toward the study.

I sat at the desk. On the laptop screen was a complex trust fund document.

This was the last piece of my father's estate.

"It was fine. Just tiring." I didn't turn around.

Robert walked up behind me. His gaze landed on the screen.

He didn't lose his temper. Instead, he reached out and gently closed the laptop. "Vivian, you've been pushing yourself too hard. Leave this kind of paperwork to me."

He swiveled my chair around to face him, his hands on the armrests, trapping me in his shadow.

"I spoke with the financial advisor today." He looked into my eyes, his voice as casual as if he were commenting on the weather. "For tax purposes, it would be best to move this trust into our joint account."

I looked into the depth of his eyes. They were full of entitlement, of ownership so ingrained he didn't even recognize it.

"This is what my father left me," I said quietly. "I'd like to keep it in my own name."

Something flickered behind Robert's gaze.

He straightened up, walked to the liquor cabinet, and poured two glasses of whiskey. "Vivian, we're about to be married." He held one out to me. "What's mine is yours. What's yours is mine. What's the point of drawing lines?"

I didn't take the glass. "Robert, I just want to hold on to something that's mine."

The smile faded from his face, inch by inch.

He set the glass down, walked back to me, and without warning, took my chin between his fingers. The grip wasn't hard, but it was enough to make sure I couldn't look away.

"Vivian, you've been very disobedient lately." His voice stayed quiet, but the pressure behind it was suffocating. "Are you still thinking about a dead man?"

I said nothing. I just held his gaze, cold and unblinking.

Robert sighed and released me. His thumb traced softly over the reddened skin where he had gripped. "Be a good girl. Don't make me protect you in other ways."

He leaned down and whispered against my ear. "I've arranged a new medical team to take over your father's care facility. They're using the best imported medications. As long as the funding keeps flowing, your father will be comfortable for a very long time."

My entire body went rigid.

He was using my father's life as leverage.

"What are you saying?" I forced myself not to tremble.

"Nothing at all." Robert kissed my forehead. "I'm simply letting you know that without me, you can't do anything."

He straightened up and looked down at me. "Tomorrow afternoon, I'll have the lawyer bring over the authorization forms for the joint account. If you don't want any accidents at the care facility, I suggest you sign them."

He turned to leave the study.

"Robert." I stopped him.

He paused and looked back.

"Tomorrow is the dress fitting." I looked at him, my voice perfectly even. "I'll sign. Just make sure nothing happens at the facility."

Robert smiled. The smile of a man who had already won.

"Of course, my dear." He walked over and pulled me into his arms once more. "I told you. Everything I do is to protect you."

I leaned against his shoulder and stared at the closed laptop on the desk. "I know," I said softly.

My right hand hung at my side. My thumb pressed the save button on the voice recorder hidden inside my sleeve.