Chapter 9

Chapter 9

The other end of the line paused before Kinsey's steady, powerful voice could be heard. "All right, all right. I'll be in the city.

Four days. I'll be back in four days, but I had to leave for something.

Even though she couldn't see me, I nodded, feeling a tiny wave of relief. "I'll come over, and we'll figure out how we're going to do it." "All right. Alright, I'm at ease. I'm at ease now.

With a fierce voice, Kinsey went on, "Do you hear me?" "You possess strength. We are not like you. Keep yourself from being broken by him.” "I am strong," I muttered, attempting to persuade myself. "You're stronger than this." "I am strong, yes.

Before I spoke once more, there was a brief pause. "I must leave. I need some time to myself.

Kinsey whispered, "You can call me at any time." "You are aware of that." "I know," I answered.

I abruptly ended the call. I didn't give Kinsey a chance to reply or wait for her to say anything. I was unable to.

I heard a voice that wasn't Kinsey's s as soon as I hit the end button. "Are you planning to run away from your husband?

Startled by the voice that had sliced through the silence like a knife, I spun around. My heart leaped.

Joe was the one. The brother of Dante

"What are you doing here?" I asked in a dry, weary voice as he stood there a little awkwardly with his hands stuffed in his pockets as if he hadn't intended to interrupt anything.

He gave a slight shrug. "I came to the garden to breathe in some fresh air. I'm going to leave now, but I had no idea you were here.

Well, I thought. Go, please. I didn't respond. In the hopes that he would take the hint and walk away, I turned my face away and looked away.

Then he said, "You should stop crying... it's spoiling your pretty face," which made my throat tighten.

I tightened my jaw while avoiding eye contact with him. "I believed you had stated that you would leave. Simply leave.

That's disgusting to hear in my presence," he retorted.

I let out a deep sigh. I was too weak to do this. "Joe, I don't have time to talk. I have no energy at all. "Yeah, I'll leave you alone," he remarked nonchalantly. "Just leave me alone." "Anyway, I don't reside here. My building is undergoing renovations, which is why I came. I live at the far end of the compound, if you walk there. This place is enormous. Frustrated, I yelled, "Why are you telling me this?"

"This information is not necessary for me. All I want is to be by myself. Could you please give it to me? "Please?" "All right, all right. I apologize. He muttered, "I have no idea why I told you that. "I'll see you around.

I wanted this conversation to end, so I turned my face once more, but then I heard him again: "Hey.

I let out a low moan. "Will you please stop?

He paused for a moment before saying, "I just wanted to tell you." "You're capable of painting.

within your room. or in the garden here. wherever you'd like. Simply grab your paint and equipment.

I gave a blink. My body went cold. "What?" "Dante's my brother," he calmly replied. "However, paint. I'll speak with him.

Suddenly, a spark ignited inside of me.

The few words in that sentence were like a light in the dark.

Like a child seeing sunlight for the first time in weeks, I leaped off the swing. Before I could even think, my legs started to move. Without hesitation, I ran over to Joe and threw my arms around him.

"Thank you!" I sobbed repeatedly. "Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you so much!"

I was able to breathe for the first time in what seemed like an eternity. I was able to grin. I experienced a sensation that wasn't pain.

However, that moment was short-lived.

Because all of a sudden, a chilly female voice cut through the air behind us.

"What the hell are you doing with my fiancé?"