Page 165 of In Love After Office Hours

"Mm?"

She was unusually stiff, her blue eyes unreadable, her silence reminding him of how she used to distance herself with silence and sought safety behind the absence of words.

But for that to happen now...

It didn't make sense,Acheron thought.

Because that would mean she was trying to protect herself from something, and he couldn't think of anything in her life right now that could hurt her.

"Is something the matter?" he asked finally.

Pippi could only gaze at him mutely. There was so much to say.So much.But she wasn't certain at all that this was the right time and place to say them, wasn't even sure if sheshouldsay them. Because what was the point if he didn't love her?

Acheron frowned at her continued silence. "Say something,mikrí mou."

Oh, how she wished she could.

I love you, Acheron.

But would he believe her, since the words would seem as if they were coming out of the blue when in truth they had been there all along, and she had just deliberately turned a deaf ear to them?

I love you so much.

But what if saying it would only pressure him to lie about his own feelings?

I love you.

Oh God.

Who could've ever predicted this day would come, and she would be near tears just because she wasn't able to say the words?

Acheron reached for her hand and was stunned to find it cold. "Something's obviously wrong," he said grimly. "Is it your family? Has something happened?"

Pippi managed to shake her head. "N-No."

Monosyllabic Pippi was back, Acheron thought, and his frown deepened. "Something's clearly wrong," he said gently, "but I can't help if you don't tell me about it."

But by then, the car had already reached the basement, and before he could ask Wickham to give them a moment alone, Pippi was already reaching for the door handle while she mumbled her thanks to the other man. She thanked Acheron as well, but he didn't miss the way she studiously avoided his gaze.

Pippi turned to watch the car drive out of the basement.Please don't leave. Please. Please. Please.But these words she also swallowed back, not wanting to force him to stay.

The sudden change in her behavior still nagged at Acheron, but his phone had started to buzz, and all thoughts of Pippi had to be set aside when he saw it was Wickham calling him.

"What is it?"

"She knows about Pippi."

Acheron stiffened. "What do you mean?" But even as he spoke, a part of him already knew.

"I'm not sure how. I've never let her leave the apartment, and she hasn't had any chance to get on the computer or hold a phone. But she knows."

Acheron remembered how hysterical Amelia had sounded over the phone earlier, demanding that he come to her now and even threatening to kill herself if he didn't show up. She hadn't mentioned anything about Pippi then, but that was just like her, with the way she always ignored what she didn't want to see. Physical pain she had learned to handle, never flinching or crying out, barely even blinking no matter how much the old man had beaten her.

But when it came to facing the truth, she became fragile and vulnerable, throwing tantrums or wallowing in self-pity to get her way, and when neither worked, she would numb herself with drugs until she felt nothing.

No matter how much he had begged her -fight for us, leave him and come away with me -

She had always said no.

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