Haunting-Adeline

another senator. I guess the story is supposed to be funny as the couples
are both ering out laughs, but I can barely digest a single word he says.
“Zack! Adeline! I’m so glad to see you two made it,” Mark announces
boisterously, interrup ng Zade’s story. He doesn’t seem the least bit
bothered. I have a feeling the tale was fabricated en rely anyway.
Seems I’m not the only one good at bullshi ng.
“Mark,” I croon joyfully, as if this man’s face brings me any type of
delight. He eats it up as he shakes hands with Zade and offers me a warm
hug.
Or what’s supposed to be warm. It feels like hugging a cold-blooded
rep le.
Next to Mark must be his wife. An older woman with beau ful red hair—
the color of ripe cherries—matching red lips ck, and a black dress that
seems to hang on her frail body.
She widens her lips into a beau ful smile as Mark introduces her to Zade
and I. What irks me is he doesn’t tell us her name, he just says my wife. As
if she’s merely a possession and not her own person with her own fucking
iden ty outside of her marriage to this wretched man.
“Pleasure to make your acquaintance, Adeline. I’m Claire,” she says,
gripping my hand in a light handshake. She offers the introduc on to Zade
as well, and the devil takes it a step further and kisses her hand, trapping
her gaze into his own.
It wasn’t sensual by any means. Something about it seemed comfor ng,
like he was making her a promise that even she didn’t know she needed.
Claire’s smile wobbles and she gently pulls her hand from Zade’s grip. No
one except my shadow and I seem to no ce her hand curling into a ght
fist to abate the shaking.
She’s nervous. Scared. And whatever that moment was with Zade, it
shook her.
It doesn’t take a genius to figure out this woman is abused. My eyes
subtly search her body, but the high neck, long sleeves, and full-length
dress hide her body. It’s a beau ful dress, but one clearly designed to
disguise the bruises that I’m sure are staining her skin beneath the silky
fabric.
The other couples meanders off, sensing that Mark is now expec ng a
private conversa on.