Page 96 of The Sound of Silence

I had felt it with every tick of the clock while I waited for Ethan to get home from work. Years of being married to him taught me how to predict a coming storm. Yet as I pulled the sweatshirt I was wearing over my head and tossed it onto the sofa, I knew this time was different. This time I was truly prepared for it—prepared for him.

“Ethan, I know you’re here.” I fell silent and waited to hear a response or a sound—anything to signal he was near. When there was no reply, I continued talking. “It was you who vandalized the gym, wasn’t it? No need to get Derek involved. He’s a good guy and didn’t deserve that.” Still, no response. I would have to push him and get his temper riled up. Ethan was the jealous type, so I knew it wouldn’t be too difficult.

“How long have you known I was in New York? Days? Weeks? Months? Were you here the morning I fucked Derek? Did you see him in my bed?” I taunted. If he was here, it wouldn’t be much longer before he showed his face. “Derek’s way better than you could ever hope to be. And I’m not just talking about in bed. He’s kind and caring while you’re nothing but a twisted, sadistic coward who gets off on beating women. Rumor has it that you killed a few of them too. You think it makes you strong, but you’re wrong. You’re the weakest man I know.”

The old grandfather clock began to chime one o’clock and it was the most ominous sound I’d ever heard. A creak in the old floorboards made me jump. Panic sucked the air from my chest and I spun my head in the direction of the sound. Ethan was leaning against the doorjamb to the utility closet.

“Hello, Gia.”

43

Gianna

Itook in the sight of him. Ethan had always been well put together, but now… I’d never seen him look so unkempt. His hair was a mess, and his eyes were dark and wild, sunken into a face he clearly hadn’t shaved for days. His appearance made me second guess my decision to confront him. He looked like a madman, and I truly had no idea what he was capable of.

My fight-or-flight instinct threatened to kick into overdrive. Fighting would be my only option if I wanted this to end. It’s what I came here for. I squared my shoulders, not wanting to show an ounce of fear.

“So, when did you find out I was in New York?”

“I always knew where you were, Gia. I’ll admit, I did lose you for a day or two, but I’ve had eyes on you ever since you moved into this place.” He motioned to the space around him and grimaced at the threadbare sofa with disgust. “I didn’t think you’d go back to slumming it.”

He took a step closer.

“Yeah, well, I didn’t have much of a choice. It might not be the Ritz, but I like it,” I replied, inching backward and not taking my eyes off him for one second.

“You’ve proven to be resourceful. I’ll give you that much. You even used your pussy to lure in a new man, as if he could actually replace me,” he said in an eerily calm voice. “I’ve known all about Derek the Dickwad for quite some time too. And yes, I was here the day you spread your legs for him like a whore. I wanted you back with me, where you belonged, but not anymore—not after you let him use you. Oh, I heard how you came for him—how you screamed his name. From my spot behind the hot water tank, I watched you when you sucked him off. You always did give good head.”

Although I suspected he’d been here after the fact, I never thought to check the utility closet. My stomach churned with an overwhelming urge to vomit. I didn’t want to think about him putting a black stain on my relationship with Derek. What we had was pure and special—and real.

“You’re a sick bastard!” I spat out.

“For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. Matthew 15:19.” He shook his head and tsked. “Your insolence is partly my fault. I should have taught you the good Word, and maybe we wouldn’t be here right now.”

I blinked, having no idea what he was talking about, but I was sure it was related to the psychotic things Derek had relayed to me.

“You’re crazy.”

He took another step in my direction, so he was only a few feet away. I brought my hands up in a defensive position, and he laughed.

“What is this? You wrapped your hands? I feel like we’ve already been through this, Gia. Haven’t you learned anything? You can’t fight me.”

“Oh, no?”

In a swift move he never saw coming, my palm of my left hand connected with his nose. Just as quickly, my right hand followed and snapped a punch to his mouth. Staggering back, he lifted a hand to his lips. When he pulled it back, blood glistened on the tip of one finger. I smiled inwardly, knowing the split lip was the result of the rings I wore. Still, the vengeance I felt wasn’t nearly enough to make up for all the times he’d done it to me.

“You’re going to pay for that,” he hissed.

“No, Ethan, I’m not.”

“You really want to play this game? You know how it will end.”

“I do—and it won’t end well for you. I know all about Cynthia. I know about the FBI and your little masochistic den. I know all about the women you murdered. How much time do you think you’ll get for all of that?”

“I have an alibi for everything. They have nothing on me.”

Internally, I was shaking at the idea of him walking free, but I couldn’t let him know that. I had to keep him talking and distracted.

“I wouldn’t be so sure about that. I mean, you always could schmooze your way out of everything, but I don’t think your charm will get you far this time. Maybe that’s one of the reasons you’re here. Am I a loose end you need to tie up? I can assure you, Ethan. I can’t help the FBI. I was blindsided by your secret life. I have nothing to tell them. Apparently, I don’t even know who you are. What’s the point in trying to shut me up?”

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