Bite Back

Can't Stop

“Must you leave?” Wyleen was sitting up in bed, watching Katakuri pack a rucksack for his travels.

“I told you before, but I’ll tell you once more that my responsibilities come before anything else, Wylee. You’ve known this before we were wed, and it still holds to this day.” He glanced at her, slightly unamused.

“I know,” she sighed. “I’ll just miss you while you’re away. I always do.” She spun the ring around her finger, looking down at her hands. “It gets lonely when you aren’t at home with me,” Wyleen muttered.

“I appreciate your concern, dear. But you can’t rely on me to always be around; you need to be independent. Keep yourself busy in my absence; you have the shop to run, don’t you?”

“Yes, I do need to go in today, at least to take care of the inventory and make an order for ingredients.” The more she thought about it, Wyleen realized she had plenty to keep her busy, having neglected her little doughnut shop aside from making pastries at home to have them sent over to the shop to continue their journey. She was trying to be careful as to whom she let see her in her current state. She had been layering her petticoats to accent her waist and hide her belly. Though it was getting harder to hide, and uncomfortable to put that much pressure on her belly with the weight of her skirts.

Katakuri interrupted her thoughts by putting his hand on her chin, tilting her head up to look him in the eye. “I’ll be back before you know it, alright? Promise you’ll be a good girl for me.”

“Of course I will.” She rested her forehead against his. “I promise.”

“Good girl.” Katakuri gave her a lingering kiss before straightening up to walk out of the room.

Every time he walked out the door, it felt like a drop of acid to her soul; the sting never lessened, the emptiness never filled, the worry never subsided. Sniffing, she tried to blink away the tears as she let out a shaky breath. Unable to control her emotions as well as she once could, her eyes squeezed shut, the tears streaming down her face as she sobbed quietly. Only choking out an audible sob when Whyleen was sure she was alone in the house. “You better come back, asshole,” she blubbered, her bottom lip unable to stop its quivering as she tried to compose herself before starting the day.

***

“Wylee? I didn’t know you would be stopping in here today.”

“I can’t stay cooped up in that damn house by myself, Bea,” Wylee muttered, tying her hair back before rolling up her sleeves. She was thankful that Katakuri let Beatrice accompany them to Wheat Island after they were married. Beatrice being her closest confidant while she still resided within the walls of Mama’s château. She had even met her husband, Butterscotch, not long after they had all settled into their new routine.

“Are you feeling alright?” Beatrice eyed Wyleen with a knowing glance.

Wyleen smoothed her dress over her belly. “I feel fine, don’t worry yourself. We’ve got to get to work taking inventory of everything so I can compile a list of things we will be needing in the next few weeks.” Jumping right into her work, Wyleen didn’t allow Beatrice the opportunity to try to talk to her more. She knew Beatrice could practically read her like a book and knew when something was off about Wyleen.

It didn’t take but a few hours for Wyleen to tire of being on her feet; her back ached, knees sore and ankles throbbing. Though it was just past ten in the morning, she felt as if she had put in a day’s work already. “I just need a minute, Bea,” she exhaled, resting her head in her hand as she sat.

“Take the time you need, ma’am. Let me know what I can do to help while you’re here.”

Wyleen gave a tired chuckle, “You can take this child out of me; I’ve about had enough of this.”

“I know it’s been taking its toll on you, Wylee, but I can assure you, nothing else compares to holding your baby in your arms for the first time.” Beatrice smiled, looking off thoughtfully.

“How is Melody doing? She hasn’t come by the shop with your other half in quite some time, if I recall.”

Beatrice smiled, eager to talk about her daughter, who had just turned a year old a month prior. “She is such a bright little girl, an absolute delight. Butterscotch absolutely adores being a father, too.” She continued to talk fondly of her little family as Wyleen did her best to pay attention, her mind wandering. She was worried Katakuri would show as much coldness to their child as he would to her when he was particularly upset. He seemed so indifferent when she brought up the topic; she could only assume he held some resentment towards her, and by way of Jersey, the infant inside of her as well. Wyleen tried not to complain about her discomfort, earning a narrow-eyed glance or a frown from her husband if she was muttering about the discomfort, or if she was caught rubbing her sore back or feet. Eventually, she learned to be silent, only allowing herself to show that vulnerability and weakness when Katakuri was gone or out of the room. “Wylee?”

“Huh?” Wyleen didn’t realize she was starting to nod off. “I’m sorry, what was it you asked?”

“I asked where Master Katakuri was going on this voyage, but you look like you could use a rest. Do you want to lie down? Or go back home for a kip?”

“I’ll be fine, just a bit shagged. I haven’t been sleeping well the past few days, truthfully. My back has been sore, and I can’t seem to get comfortable with this damn stomach in the way.”

“You’re due within the next month, Wylee; just bear with it.” Beatrice offered a sympathetic smile to her friend. “Let’s you and I finish up in the backroom so you can go home and rest, eh?”

“Barry,” she said through a yawn.