chapter 17
Cressida entered the house, her footsteps slow and deliberate. Concern etched her face as she approached the room.
Easton emerged from the room, his eyes downcast. “Welcome, ma’am.” He greeted in a low voice, but Cressida was too preoccupied to respond.
“He’s inside?” She asked, her voice laced with worry.
Easton nodded. “Yes,”
Cressida moved to enter the room, but Easton’s words halted her. “He’s asked to be alone. Let’s respect his wishes and let him have some quiet time.”
Cressida’s expression turned determined. “I appreciate your concern, but I think I can handle this. As his wife, let me take care of him.” She reached for the door handle, but Easton’s next words stopped her again.
“It was because of you.”
Cressida’s hand froze, her eyes narrowing slightly as she turned to face him, her face furrowed in confusion as she met his gaze. “What are you talking about?”
Easton sighed, his expression somber. “From what he told me, he’s passionate about supporting you and making sure you’re recognized. He wants to earn you an honor, and asked me to play along if you were to ask about his speeches, and to say that I had a hand in writing them.”
Cressida’s eyes widened in surprise. “He said that?”
Easton nodded, his gaze locked on hers. “Yes, he did,” he revealed. He lowered his gaze, his lips tightened as he nodded. “In all the time I’ve known him, I’ve never seen him so defeated. Today’s pain cuts deeper—your silence struck his nerve.”
Tears welled up in Cressida’s eyes, but she held them back. “I didn’t mean to hurt him—I never did.”
Easton’s expression softened. “I can understand, ma’am. I'm just saying this so you can know where to work on and where to start from,” he grasped her hand, his voice filled with emotion. “Please, ma’am. If you can’t heal him, don't cause him more pain. I can’t watch him suffer—please, be gentle with him.”
As he stepped backward, his eyes lingered on hers before he bowed and disappeared into the hallway. Cressida took a deep breath, gathering her resolve. “I’ve got this,” she whispered. But as she reached for the door handle, uncertainty gripped her, freezing her in place. Her mind wrestled with her determination, and for a moment, doubt won out.
“Cressida…” she muttered, and without waiting for another second, she opened the door and banged in.
Inside the room, Alaric’s gaze remained fixed on the window, his tone detached yet laced with a subtle edge. “I specifically told Easton to tell you I needed some time alone. Didn’t he pass on the message?” He asked without turning around.
Cressida’s reply was swift. “If you didn’t want me to come in, you’d have locked the door,” her voice was barely audible as she revealed, “I’m worried about you.”
Alaric’s gaze snapped towards her, his expression unreadable as he slowly shook his head. “No, you’re not,” he countered, his tone even and controlled. “If you were, you wouldn't have watched me suffer,”
“I swallowed my anger to respect your present, but you repaid me with betrayal,” He paused, his eyes narrowing. “You witnessed my pain and did nothing. Now, you pretend to care? Your audacity is breathtaking.”
Cressida’s face crumpled, her eyes welling up with tears. “I have no excuse, nor a word, to defend myself,” she admitted, her voice cracking. “All I came back early to do is to check on you and apologize. I am sorry I didn’t tell the truth.”
Alaric’s expression remained unyielding. “For what reason do you think I’m angry at you?” He questioned, his eyes piercing hers. Without waiting for her response, he continued, his voice low and intense. “I wasn’t angry because of your silence—I was angry you watched me leave and didn’t even follow me.”
Cressida’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Hun?” She toned, her voice laced with incredulity.
Alaric nodded, his expression intense. “Yes. The betrayal I felt wasn’t you not answering the question—I didn’t even want you to,” he clarified, his voice tinged with vulnerability. “But giving up on me too easily hurts the most. You told me your present isn’t needed where I am absent, yet you didn’t follow me out of that fucked place. Is that how it’s supposed to be?”
Cressida’s lips parted, but words failed her. Alaric’s words struck a chord, and she struggled to contain her amusement.
Alaric’s eyes flashed with hurt. “You’re dying to laugh at me, aren’t you?” He accused, his voice laced with frustration. “Go ahead, I deserve it. My excuse sounds ridiculous—even to myself. But I’m telling you the truth, no matter how pathetic it sounds, because you asked me to be honest with you,”
“You wanted me to stop making things complicated, and that’s exactly what I’m trying to do. But instead of acknowledging that, you’re just amused. So go ahead, laugh,” His words poured out in a rush. “I can take it. Laugh at me, at my sincerity, at my foolishness. I’m an open book now—you can read me for entertainment.”
Cressida’s amusement faltered, replaced by a deep affection. She stepped forward, her eyes locking onto his as she bent before him. “I don’t want to laugh to mock—but because I’m sincerely happy to see you like this,”
Her grin spread wide, her eyes shining with happiness. “It feels so good. I’m happy you finally chose to be honest with me. I feel accomplished, and this moment has to be one of the best of my life,” she confessed, her voice filled with emotion. “I want it to last until the end.”
Alaric’s face furrowed, his eyes questioning. “When is that end?” He muttered.
Cressida’s smile broadened. “The contract duration, of course. The end between us is the moment the contract expires. Please, can you be sincere until then?”
Alaric’s expression turned dull, his eyes glazing over with disinterest. He nodded curtly, his lips pressed into a thin line. “Yes, I will.”
A glimmer of hope flickered in his eyes as he spoke in a low voice, “I also want to smile more often. Just that I need a reason,” his gaze locked onto hers, his eyes searching. “If I’m being honest, will you give me a reason to smile?”
Cressida’s face lit up, her head bobbing enthusiastically. “Sure, I will…” she agreed.
“I’ve got some information for you,” she disclosed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. She gestured over her shoulder, her hand waving casually. “Should I get a wine so we can discuss it?”
Alaric’s response was immediate. “No,” he declined, his voice firm. “I’ve had enough today. But if you feel the need for it, you can. I’m a wet blanket, but I shouldn’t kill your fun.”
Cressida’s face furrowed, her eyes narrowing. "That line sounds familiar," she said, her voice tinged with amusement. Before Alaric could respond, realization dawned on her, and she burst into laughter. Her hand covered her mouth, but it was no use—the laughter spilled out. “That’s mine. From our wedding day,” she said, her eyes shining with mirth.
Alaric’s face broke into a smile, his eyes crinkling at the corners. He didn’t deny it; instead, he beamed with pleasure.
Cressida’s laughter died down, replaced by accusation. “For how long have you been like that, Alaric? You were eavesdropping on my conversation the whole time?”
Alaric’s head bobbed, his shoulders shrugging slightly. “Yes,” he admitted, his voice unapologetic. “I mean, what can I do? But that was then. I trust you now.”
Cressida’s eyes widened, her voice filled with excitement. “You trust me now?!” She threw her arms open, standing up and bending her back as she hugged him tightly. “Thank you!”
Alaric’s eyes snapped shut, his mind momentarily frozen as he processed the unexpected intimacy. He’d expected she’d pull away, but she lingered, her warmth seeping into his skin. With a gentle hesitation, he raised his arm, his hand wrapping around her body, the space between them dwindling to a whisper. Yet, just as his arms were about to encircle her fully, she abruptly sprang to her feet, taking a step back and reestablishing a cautious distance between them.
“Hun!” Alaric toned, his eyes wide with surprise.
“I’m sorry. I’m just too excited.” Cressida apologized, her face flushing slightly.
Alaric shook his head, his expression softening. “You don’t have to apologize to me,” he said, his voice gentle. “You shouldn’t be thanking me for trusting you. You didn’t force it—you earned it,”
“Can I get another hug?” He whispered, his voice barely audible.
Cressida’s face furrowed, her eyes wide with surprise. “Hun?” She sounded shocked, her voice rising in query.
Alaric quickly averted his gaze. “It’s nothing,” he lied, hastily wheeling himself towards the bed. He cast a glance her way, catching the confusion etched on her face. Clearing his throat, he fabricated another excuse to cover his tracks. “I meant to say I need water. I’m thirsty. Please, get me water.”