The Husband Beside Me(53)

“Look at me,” he commanded softly.

I did as I was told and looked at him. He smiled gently and gave me a chaste kiss.

“We’ll do it your way,” he murmured and lowered his mouth onto mine.

Daimon’s lips were soft and tender as he kissed me. His intoxicating smell enveloped me as I melted. His tongue lightly grazed the seam of my mouth. Pulling away, he smiled contently.

“Just so you know, I was planning on leaving you alone. It’s you who invited me back in,” he winked.

“So don’t make me regret it,” I muttered.

“Can’t promise you that…but I’ll try.” He stood tall and reached behind me taking his case.

“You keep it up and in the end you’re going to die of blue balls,” I mocked, upset he pulled away from me and didn’t continue.

“Sometimes a jerk deserves blue balls.” He unclasped the case and took out his violin.

“I’m assuming since it’s you, it’s expensive.” I looked at it, its color a rich brown and red.

“You can say that. It’s a Stradivarius. Here, look.” He sat me down next to him and began explaining the various parts of his violin. “My favorite part is the scroll.” He showed me the top end of the violin. “I had to restore it. It cost me a pretty penny but I'm glad I did it.” He smiled as he looked it over. “My mom used to quote Beethoven, saying ‘To play without passion is inexcusable.’ She was really passionate about her music,” he murmured.

He then brought it to his neck, rested his head on the chin rest and played. The bedroom slowly filled with Daimon’s unique sound. I pulled my legs up, hugging my knees as he stood. The notes sounded low and heavy as he pulled his bow back and plucked at his strings. Watching him was utterly mesmerizing.

I was lulled to sleep by the quiet spell he cast with his music. I was glad Daimon and I seemed to have found a common ground. I was just afraid of what tomorrow would bring.



“Mrs. Evans, you are up early today,” Ana remarked as she walked in.

“Yes, I have some things to take care of.” I smiled and put on my coat. I hurried, not wanting Daimon to know what I was doing today.

“Do you not want breakfast?” Ana stopped me at the door.

“No, not today,” I said meekly.

I had Ted waiting for me downstairs. I smiled and made my way through the lobby, a part of me wanting to run, only because Daimon would insist on knowing. I turned off my phone, not wanting anyone to interrupt me. I stopped at a local florist and continued on my way without Ted. Ted had gotten a bit irate only because he was fearful of his job; Daimon had threatened him a few times, but I reassured him Daimon would never fire him. I wouldn’t let him. I took a cab the rest of the way. My heart filled with guilt the moment I stopped at the cemetery. I looked at the iron gates and knew I had to cross them to get to where I needed to be.

“Hey, lady? Do you want me to wait for you?” The cabby asked.

“No thanks,” I said as I stepped out.

I stood in front of the gates and took a deep breath. My belly winced in pain and my heart pulled from inside me. I swallowed hard as I made my way through the various tombstones, some eroding and falling apart, while others were new with fresh flowers placed on the ground. I weaved in and out until I reached my mother’s grave. A large bouquet of white lilies lay on the ground before her tombstone. I guessed my father had been here already.

It was my mother’s birthday. He always bought her favorite flowers, lilies. I took off the paper that contained the flowers in my hand. They were peonies, only because they reminded me so much of her. I placed them down lightly, afraid I may mar her somehow, even more than I already had.

I knew it was stupid, but the guilt inside me, even though it was irrational to most was real to me. Had I not guilted her, she would have lived and I would be by her side celebrating her birthday. I knelt down and held onto the tombstone.

“I’m sorry, Mommy. I’ll always be so sorry for what I did to us, to you. I'm trying to make it up to everyone. I know you wouldn’t agree with everything I have done, but Sofia is now in an Ivy League university; she might even go into medicine. Dad is better now. He’s healthy.” I sobbed. “Daimon isn’t all that bad. I did what I needed to do, maybe…maybe after everything is done, I may not feel so responsible.” I wiped my fallen tears. “Mom, I love you so much and I miss you so, so much. We all miss you.” I swallowed the hard lump in my throat.

I was filled with shame as I hunched over her grave. I was living in the lap of luxury while my mother was dead. “I love you,” I whispered and left, unable to stay there any longer.