Page 53 of The Widower
“Oh really? And why’s that?” I asked, intrigued.
“I hate losing. And I always get what I want.”
Another warning disguised as charm. Typical.
“Then maybe I shouldn’t play,” I said lightly.
“That’s a shame,” he replied, eyes still locked on mine.
“There’ll be other opportunities, I’m sure—”
“You don’t get it,” he interrupted. “It’s a shame you didn’t agree willingly, because we’re playing—right now.”
I let out a small laugh, thinking he was teasing, but Colin wasn’t joking.
“You’re serious?”
“Do I look like I’m joking?Three questions.”
No, he definitely wasn’t.
“And if it’s a tie...?”
“There won’t be one.”
I glanced at the box—some kids’ trivia game for ages eight and under—and felt a wave of relief.
“Can I start?” I asked brightly, grabbing one of the cards.
“Go ahead,” he said, leaning back with that infuriating little smirk.
I drew a card from the pile and read the riddle aloud. “What color is known worldwide as the symbol of peace?”
“White,” he answered immediately, dead serious.
“Too easy.Your turn.”
Colin picked a card, glanced at it for barely a second, then put it back on the stack.
“How was your relationship really with Hanna’s father?” he asked, stressing the word really.
I froze. What the hell was this man plotting, repeating that same question from minutes ago?
“That’s… not written on the card,” I said, my voice small, a touch of nervous laughter escaping.
“Shame you’re not sure about that. Time’s running out.”
He wasn’t going to let this go.The way he was looking at me made me feel like prey—and he was the hunter. Something about this felt off.
“At first we got along fine,” I started carefully, trying to keep my voice even, “but things went downhill fast, especiallyafter I found out he was gambling away huge amounts of money. I think that’s when everything started falling apart. Eventually, he just left.”
I tried to sound calm, but inside I was furious for even giving him that much. Colin didn’t know me, and if he thought I was going to hand him personal details without getting something in return, he was dead wrong.
“I see,” he said simply.
“My turn.”
I grabbed a card from the stack and mirrored his little pause before asking, “Why do you think isolating yourself will make the pain in your chest go away?”
