Temptress

43|Mommy and Daddy

Sereia's POV

"Thanks for coming in to help Sereia," William gratefully spoke. "We need all hands on deck with this storm that is heading our way."

"It's no problem," I told him as I helped to peel the potatoes.

It was better than torturing myself in the dark.

Dad's funeral was set for two days from now and I was anxious.

This will be the last time I get to see him and have a final goodbye.

"I don't know what is up with Chicago and these storms this season," he said. "Never use to be like this."

"Global warming," I simply said and he laughed.

"Ah, you finally made it!" William exclaimed with a wide grin and when I turned around to see who it was, my heart stopped.

It was Elliot, and the anger radiating off him was unmistakable.

His jaw was clenched tight, and his eyes burned with a fury that sent a shiver down my spine.

The lighthearted atmosphere of the room vanished instantly, replaced by the weight of his seething presence.

I wanted to say something, to break the silence that stretched between us, but the intensity in his gaze pinned me in place.

"Take my place since you two work well together," William instructed him. "I'm going to help someone else. Chop, chop!"

When William walked out, Elliot sighed as he rolled up his sleeves.

He washed his hands before coming to stand beside me to peel William's remaining potatoes.

I kept my head down as I felt the tension thickening the air between us.

My heart pounded in my chest, each beat echoing the unspoken words hanging between us.

I could feel his silent anger radiating like a physical force beside me.

The urge to speak, to say anything that might diffuse the situation, an apology.

However, I feared that whatever I said would only make things worse.

So I stayed silent, hoping that by not meeting his eyes, I could somehow avoid the inevitable confrontation.

I felt so guilty.

All I'd done was constantly lie to him.

I even lied about my feelings for him not being real when I knew that they definitely were.

The way how my mind has constantly thought about him since the day he cut ties with me.

I opened my mouth to say something, anything, but nothing would out.

My eyes eventually landed on his ring finger, he's not wearing his wedding ring anymore.

He finished peeling the potatoes quicker than I expected and began to walk away.

I immediately held his arm, not wanting to miss out on the opportunity of speaking to him.

I'll be in Maine soon and I'll never see him again.

"I'm sorry," I told him sincerely. "I'm sorry for hurting you."

He took a step closer towards me as his face grew angrier. "Keep your apologies."

"Please Elliot," I pleaded. "If you would just let me explain-"

"I know enough," I glared at myself before walking out of the kitchen.