The Lie

Lupin froze behind me.

“I will get it,” I said after the fourth knock.

I did not waiting to hear his answer. I quickly got dressed and opened the door ajar enough to squeeze through it and entered the corridor. I closed the door after me and locked it before Selene could say another word.

She frowned immediately.

“Oh, I was not, I was not expecting you back.” I said, grabbing her hand , attempting to drag her out of the place.

“Why are you locking your door?” she said.

I forced a smile. "I was cleaning. I did not want the wind to blow everything about”

She raised an eyebrow. "Since when do you do that? And why do you look so...so rough."

I laughed, too loudly. "Since always."

“I was looking for Dad, “ she said, having given me a long look. "I checked his room. He's not there."

I swallowed. "He... um. He was in the garden earlier. That's the last place I saw him."

Her eyes narrowed. "The garden?"

"Yes," I said quickly. "He said he wanted fresh air."

She hesitated, then shrugged. "Okay. Let's check."

I grabbed her hand and walked along the corridor, and my legs were growing weaker with each step. The patio chairs and the plants were shadowed and the garden lamps were turned on.

"Dad?" Selene called out.

No answer.

On and on, our eyes strolling over the benches, the little fountain, the side walk.

"He's not here," she said.

“He must have come back to the house,” I replied. "Maybe he went to the kitchen."

She sighed. “By the word of God, he never stays in the same place. Is he not aware of having a broken ankle?”

She went and walked back to the house and I was right behind her. Every sound felt too loud. There was a feeling that time was being stretched to its limit, just to punish me by the universe.

She looked at me as we walked and that gave my heart a jump start.

"So," she said casually. "How are you doing?"

"I'm fine," I said. "Just tired."

She nodded. "I missed you."

“I missed you, too,” I said, and this time I was not lying.

We passed into the living room and there he was.

Lupin now was standing near the couch, not as though nothing had happened. As though he was not in my room a few minutes ago. Like he had never crossed the line which could never be uncrossed.

Selene smiled at the sight of him.

"Dad," she said softly.

Then up she came and embraced him, taking her time.

"How are you feeling?" she asked.

"I'm better," he said. "My ankle's healed. Thanks to Aria."

He looked at me when he said my name.

Just for a second, I let myself believe this man felt something for me.

Selene turned to me. "Thank you."

I nodded. "Of course."

She put her hands together. "Okay, I have news."

Lupin drew himself up. "What kind of news?"

"Good news," she said, smiling. "For both of you."

She motioned for us to sit. Lupin sat on the couch. I hesitated a minute or two and then took my seat on the opposite armchair.

Selene took a breath.

"I talked to Mom," she said.

The countenance of Lupin altered at once. He changed his pose and his eyes were more alert.

"And?" he asked.

Selene said, I finally convinced her. "She agreed to come back. She accepted to give another chance to the marriage and guess what?

Silence filled the room.

Selene replied, “she would be coming home asap. She said that she would like to have another shot. She does not desire a divorce any longer.”

Lupin's face softened. Comforting was so clear on him, that it was a sore thing to my heart.

"That's... that's good," he said. "That's really good."

"I knew it," Selene said happily. “You’re welcome dad, I just saved your marriage.”

She looked at me. "Aren't you happy?"

I forced a smile.

"Yes," I said. "Of course."

Inside, something cracked.

Lupin rose and hugged Selene. I saw his arms around her, saw his eyes close like somebody had taken some burden off his shoulders.

"I'm glad," he said quietly. "Thank you. Thanks Selene, you really have no idea what you’ve done for me.”

Selene beamed. "And we will be a family once more."

Family .

The word burned.

I stood up abruptly. "I think I should go to my room."

Selene looked surprised. "Already?"

"I'm really tired," I said. “And I need to finish my cleaning.”

Lupin looked at me again.

"Goodnight," he said.

"Goodnight," I replied.

Before either of them could stop me I turned on my heels.

I closed the door in my room and leaned on it. My hands fell down my knees and I sank in the floor.

What had I done?

I rubbed my hands on my face in an attempt to erase the memory of his hands, his voice, the way he had stared at me. I felt sick. Ashamed. Stupid.

He was mated.

He was my best friend's father.

And I had been permitting myself to think, but a moment, that it was something.

I rose up sluggishly, and smoothed my face. I approached the mirror and looked at myself.

"You did this," I whispered. "How could you fuck a mated man!"

I heard a movement somewhere at my door. Footsteps. A pause.

I held my breath.

I opened the door ajar and peeped in but no one.

Who knows?