He parked and got out, striding toward us with that cold, determined appearance on his face. "I'll take it from here, Noah," he stated, his voice hard. He grabbed my arm before Noah could protest.
"Anthony—" Noah began, but Anthony cut him off.
"No need for the heroics. My wife and I have things to discuss." His grip tightened on my arm, pulling me away.
Noah hesitated, honestly torn; however, he nodded slowly. "Call me in case you need something, Mia," he stated, his eyes lingering on me as Anthony dragged me towards the residence.
Inside, Anthony leaned in close, his voice a harsh whisper in my ear. "Grandma's here. You'd better act properly, understood?"
I swallowed tough and nodded. "Yes."
We walked into the living room, where Evelyn was sitting, her face lighting up as she noticed us. "Ah, there you are! I changed into questioning while you'd get returned," she said warmly.
"Where were you, Grandma?" Anthony asked, his voice overly polite.
"Oh, just spending some time with some friends," she said, waving a hand dismissively. Her eyes then landed on me, and her smile dwindled as she took inside the bruises on my face. "Mia, what befell to you?"
I iced over, my thoughts scrambling for an excuse. What could I possibly say that would make this better?
Before I ought to open my mouth, Anthony jumped in. "She fell down the staircase," he lied smoothly. "We just got back from the medical institution."
Evelyn's eyes widened in difficulty as she rushed over to me. "Oh, my expensive," she stated, cupping my face lightly. "You must be more cautious. We can't have you ever getting harmed like this."
I nodded, forcing a susceptible smile. "I'll be more careful, I promise."
She petted my cheek affectionately. "You're like a daughter to me, Mia. I worry about you." Then, as if to lighten the mood, she delivered with a twinkle in her eye, "You want to be extra cautious, especially in case you're going to be wearing my grandchild soon."
The point out of a grandchild made my stomach twist, and I fought back the urge to be sick. I glanced at Anthony, who was looking at me intently, bolding me to react. I bit my tongue, knowing better than to say anything that could set him off.
Evelyn turned to Anthony then, her tone moving to a stern but loving reprimand. "You know what I need, young man. You better act right. No extra roughness."
Anthony gave her a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Of route, Grandma. Mia and I have the entirety below control."
"Good," she nodded approvingly, then grew to become again to me. "Come, let's get you something to eat. You need to maintain your power up."
I permit Evelyn to lead me to the kitchen, her concern palpable. She busied herself preparing a meal, all the while chatting approximately her day, looking to distract me from my supposed 'twist of fate.'
As I sat there, taking note of her prattle on approximately her pals and their gossip, I felt a strange experience of calm wash over me. It became a small reprieve from the chaos of my lifestyle. I glanced closer to the staircase where Anthony had disappeared, my stomach knotting with dread. How long before he comes down? How long earlier than this second of peace is shattered?
Evelyn set a plate in front of me, beaming. "There you go, Pricey. Eat up. You need to preserve yourself healthy, specifically if you're making plans on giving me a grandchild."
I forced a grin. "Thank you, Evelyn. This seems delicious."
She patted my hand. "You're welcome, dear. Just remember, you've got a circle of relatives now. We're here for you."
Family. The phrase felt overseas and hollow. I nodded, taking a chew of the food, barely tasting it as my mind raced. Could I inform her? Would she even trust me? I checked out her kind, worried face and decided in opposition to it. No, she wouldn't believe me. Anthony had all and sundry wrapped around his finger.
Anthony reappeared, on foot, into the kitchen with an easy smile. "Everything very well down here?"
Evelyn smiled at him. "Yes, we're just having a bit of lady talk," she stated with a chortle. "You guys wouldn't understand."
Anthony chuckled, coming over to sit beside me, his hand resting possessively on my shoulder. "I'm positive you've been giving Mia plenty of recommendations, Grandma."
"Oh, just the usual," she stated with a wink. "But you two need to rest. You've had an extended day. And recall what I stated, Anthony." She gave him a knowing appearance.
He nodded. "Of path, Grandma. I won't overlook."
He squeezed my shoulder only a little too tightly, a silent caution. I bit my lip, protecting my lower back from the tears that threatened to spill. This changed into my life now—a performance of lies and hidden bruises. And nobody, now not even the human beings closest to us, could ever understand the reality.
________________
As the instances emerged weeks later, I decided myself to throw all my power into my music profession. It changed into my simplest solace, the only element that saved me going. I spent hours in the studio, writing, recording, and perfecting every track. The track has come to be my getaway, an international wherein Anthony's darkness couldn't reap me.
To my surprise, my songs started out gaining traction. People cherished them, and they cherished the image Anthony and I portrayed—this ideal couple. The irony turned into almost unbearable. My fulfillment brought us greater hobby and extra cash, and with it, Anthony's harshness appeared to lessen. He noticed me as an asset now, not just a possession. It has become a twisted form of treatment, knowing my fee in his eyes changed into tied to the sales I brought in.
Noah, on the other hand, wasn't as without trouble happy by way of the facade. He could probably often provide me those lingering appearances, although he changed into searching to peer through the mask I wore so carefully. He knew something changed; however, he had by no means driven too hard—until one afternoon.
I came to be inside the center of a recording consultation at the same time as Noah entered the studio. I looked up, amazed. He wasn't one to interrupt my artwork. "Hey, Noah," I greeted, pulling off the headphones. "Everything adequate?"
He nodded, his eyes scanning the room earlier than deciding on me. "Yeah, the whole lot's high-quality. I turned into questioning if you'd need to grab some lunch. You've been proper here for hours."
I hesitated, glancing at the clock. He comes to be proper. I'd been so out of place within the track that I hadn't even placed out how thousands of times had surpassed. "Sure," I agreed, my belly grumbling in agreement. "I should use a damage."
We walked to a nearby restaurant, one of these comfortable little places that Anthony in no way took me to. It grows to be quiet and intimate, the shape of a place in which you can in reality have a verbal exchange. We ordered our meals, and for some time, we in reality chatted about approximately nothing, especially—songs, the studio, and plans for the future.
But then Noah's tone shifted. "How are you doing, Mia?" he asked, his voice softer, more involved.
I pressured a grin. "I'm first-rate, in truth. Things are going properly with the tune."
He nodded slowly, his eyes searching mine. "And your marriage? How are subjects with Anthony?"
I paused, my smile faltering for a second. "Everything is notable now," I lied, selecting my food. "He's been… higher."
Noah leaned lower and returned to his chair, crossing his hands. "You recognize, Mia; you don't need to faux with me. I can inform while a few elements's wrong."
I looked down at my plate, my appetite abruptly long beyond. "I recognize your scenario, Noah. But I don't want to talk about it."
He sighed, nodding in knowledge. "Alright. But without a doubt, comprehend that I'm right here in case you ever want to speak. About something."
I managed an inclined smile. "Thanks, Noah. I apprehend that."
Just then, the door to the restaurant opened, and I appeared as tons as I looked at Isabella taking walks in.