Chapter 6

Sarah's POV

My phone buzzed on the nightstand.

It was a notification from Kael, confirming the time for our coffee meet-up. I told myself there's nothing more, but the thought of stepping outside these walls, even for an hour, felt like oxygen.

Downstairs, the breakfast nook glowed under soft morning light filtering through the windows. The table was perfectly set as always, fresh berries in crystal bowls, warm pastries, and coffee steaming in a silver pot. Eleanor sat at the head, flipping through a newspaper with those perfectly manicured fingers. She looked up the moment I entered, with a sharp smile.

“Sarah, dear. You’re up. And dressed to go out, I see.” Her eyes swept over my casual clothes, lingering just long enough to make it uncomfortable. “Where are you headed this early morning?”

I ignored the bait and reached for the coffee, pouring myself a cup. “Just stepping out for a bit to clear my head.”

Eleanor set the newspaper down, her pearls catching the light. “Stepping out. And who might you be stepping out to see on a random Tuesday morning? Not that it’s any of my business, of course. But one does worry especially if the person is a married woman.”

I took a sip. “A friend. Just catching up over coffee. Nothing more.”

“A friend.” She tasted the word like it was suspicious. “That’s totally fine. But Sarah, darling, you’re a married woman now. A Moretti. We don’t simply ‘step out’ to meet friends whenever the mood strikes, especially not when your husband is working so hard to build a future for both of you. It looks… unseemly. People talk, you know. And they love nothing more than when they are ruining the Moretti name.”

I set my cup down carefully. “It's just coffee, ma'am. I'm not doing anything funny.”

She laughed softly. “Of course. In my day, a wife’s friends were carefully chosen. People who understood the family’s standing. Not whoever wandered in from your old gallery crowd, I assume. You do remember you’re not that carefree single girl anymore, don’t you? Adrian deserves a partner who supports his image, not one who dashes off the moment things get a little uncomfortable at home.”

My fingers tightened around the handle of my bag, but I kept my voice even. “Am I not allowed to have friends or see them? Or am I supposed to be caged just because I got married into the Moretti family?”

Eleanor leaned back, crossing her legs. “This family has standards, Sarah. Expectations. You can’t keep clinging to your little outside life like a security blanket. What will people say if Mrs. Adrian Moretti is seen gallivanting around town while her mother-in-law handles the household alone? It reflects poorly on all of us. Especially Adrian.”

The words burrowed under my skin, but I straightened my shoulders instead. “I’m not cracking. And I’m not asking for permission to see a friend. This is my life too.”

Eleanor's eyes hardened. “Your life. How sweet. You married into this one, Sarah. Remember that. A real Moretti wife knows her place isn’t out there chasing old friendships. It’s here, building the legacy. Or do you plan to keep making scenes every time reality bites? Adrian can’t babysit your emotions forever, you know.”

I opened my mouth to respond, something sharp, something that might actually push back, when footsteps echoed from the hallway. Adrian appeared in the doorway, briefcase in hand, dressed in his crisp suit for the office. He looked between us, taking in the tension like it was just another minor inconvenience on his calendar.

“Everything alright here?” he asked, voice neutral. His eyes flicked to me, noting my bag.

For a second, hope flickered as I looked at him. Say something, I thought. Tell her to back off. Tell her I can go where I want.

Eleanor turned her smile on him. “Just giving Sarah a little guidance, darling. She’s off to meet a friend this morning. I was reminding her about appearances. You know how these things can be misinterpreted.”

Adrian checked his watch, already half out the door in his mind. He looked at me again, longer this time. “Sarah, calm down. It’s too early for this.” He adjusted his cufflinks. “Mother’s right about keeping things low-key. Don’t make a big deal out of nothing. I’ll see you tonight.”

That was it. No defense. No “Let her go, Mother.” Just calm down and a quick exit. He leaned in, brushing a perfunctory kiss against my cheek before heading toward the front door. The sound of it closing behind him echoed like a quiet betrayal.

“See? Even Adrian knows when to prioritize peace. You really should listen, dear. Running off now will only make you look flighty. But go on, if you must. Just remember who you are when you get there and be back before 4 p.m.”

The condescension wrapped around me like smoke. I grabbed my bag tighter and walked past her without another word, my heart pounding. The front door felt heavier than usual as I pushed it open, stepping into the crisp morning air. The driveway stretched out, lined with perfectly manicured hedges, but all I could think about was how small I felt inside this perfect cage.

The drive into the city blurred by in a haze of traffic and my own swirling thoughts. Kael had suggested a quiet café near an abandoned old gallery. When I arrived, he was already there, waving from a corner table. His familiar smile hit me like a lifeline.

“Sarah,” he said, standing to pull me into a quick, warm hug.

I sank into the chair across from him, exhaling for what felt like the first time all morning.

We ordered black coffee for me, something fancy with foam for him, and then words started spilling out. Not everything, but enough. The dinner. Eleanor’s endless jabs. Adrian’s shrug-off, his pat on the shoulder like I was a coworker having a bad day. Kael listened without interrupting, his brow furrowing in that way that always made me feel seen.