The Mute Mistress

The Mute Mistress: Chapter 23

*This chapter contains sensitive content*

Chapter 23

Mary awoke to bands of the morning sun on the ceiling. She twisted her face trying to move. Her body ached as though she ran a marathon. She hated that the attack lingered in her muscles as a terrorizing reminder of a fearful moment.

Rubbing her eyes clear of fog, she regained more consciousness and checked her phone. It's the next morning, she thought in panic and realized she was in yesterday's clothes. The abrupt sound of ascending steps into the loft froze her in shock until Nathan appeared with a cup of water. He hadn't changed out of yesterday's clothes either.

He flinched finally seeing her. He laughed in shock, "I didn't hear you get up."

She lowered her lashes briefly and his smile vanished.

Approaching her, he explained, "I sent Trish home. She's okay for now."

Mary briefly relieved seeing the last glimpse of sadness in Trish's eyes.

"She's like family to me. I've known her since undergrad, and she's been in and out of rehab since then. I hadn't heard from her in over a month so I had no idea she was back."

Nathan handed her the water, sadly remarking of her visible exhaustion. She drank the full glass, her mouth was so dry. He rubbed his hands together and searched for a seat. Resting on the edge of the single-seater, he said, "After what happened yesterday, I...reached out to Nellie."

She switched around with enlarged eyes, and he explained cautiously. "I called and explained what happened with Trish. Don't be mad at me. It was one of the scariest moments of my life. I had to."

She wrapped both hands around the glass and pinched her lips. What could she say back? He warned her but she didn't listen and had an attack. She checked her phone. There were multiple calls and texts from Nellie and her mother. Her nostrils flared and her eyes glistened with tears.

Quickly he took her cup and she covered her face. She messed up again, she thought. There was no way her family wasn't disappointed in her. All the therapy felt useless if she still couldn't face her fears.

"If it helps at all, Trish remembered you." He said and she pulled her hands away.

He nodded with a wavering smile. His blues drifted before his warmth followed. There was a brief coldness in his eyes before he came back to her. "You shouldn't have been there, but you were for me."

She remembered feeling the trigger of her sudden fight mode, even if he could protect himself.

"When talking to your sister, I made it clear I wanted to help your family any way possible to pay back what I put you through."

With creased brows, she signed loosely, "What did you do?"

"I started asking how Belle found you. How you came here."

She clenched her teeth and her nostrils flared. She gestured her denial.

He stood and pointed to the ground fiercely. "Mary, I meant what I said. I know you may never forgive me for what's happened between us, but I never lied about what I would do for you."

She pulled out her phone. He was ready to approach and read her message, but he heard the chime from his pocket. They stood mere feet from each other, but the distance felt greater in his heart. He read her text. I need to be alone.

Nathan reached for her but she pushed his hands away. Grabbing her forehead, she watched him force air through his nose.

"Goddammit, Mary! You know I love–" she covered his mouth and shook her head. His eyes remained iced with shock as she pulled her hand away and tearfully pointed to the door.