Chapter 3 - The Silent Observer
Thirty feet away, the air in the hallway was perfectly still.
The warm afternoon sun filtered through the front windows, dusting the air with golden light.
Nathan stood perfectly motionless in the threshold of the kitchen.
His dark brown suit jacket hung heavy on his broad shoulders.
The crisp, light yellow fabric of his dress shirt pressed against his chest.
His breathing was incredibly slow.
His eyes, dark and unblinking beneath a sharp buzz cut, tracked the spreading puddle of wine.
He watched the maid’s shoulders shaking on the floor.
He watched Evelyn’s nude heel resting inches from the girl’s soaked apron.
His right hand was wrapped around a thick bundle of green stems.
Thorns pressed into his palm.
A massive, vibrant bouquet of yellow roses bloomed from the brown paper wrapping.
He squeezed the stems.
A single, sharp thorn broke through his skin.
He didn't flinch.
He just let the tiny drop of blood pool against his lifeline.
He had driven thirty miles from the airport to surprise her.
He had cancelled his flight.
He had rehearsed a speech in the rearview mirror.
Now, the words tasted like ash on his tongue.
The silence in the kitchen stretched, pulled taut over the sound of the dripping mop.
May you like
He opened his mouth.
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