For Better, For Worse: The Serpent's Contract Wife

I slurped long and hard, the sound ringing in the air before I pulled my lips away, swiping my tongue.

That was a much-needed mocha.

"Mrs. Salvero."

I looked to Dr. Keller, waiting for me. Crap! I forgot I wasn’t alone and childlessly slurped down a full cup of mocha.

"S-Sorry!" I dropped the empty cup on the coffee table beside me and cleared my throat. "I forgot myself there."

"It’s okay; it’s good finding joy in simple things, especially at a time like this."

"Meaning?"

"Your father..." He reasoned. "I’m sorry for your loss."

"Oh, that..."

I actually thought he was gonna bring up what happened at the funeral. It’s been two days, and yet no news about it has surfaced.

I pondered how Zade was able to keep something like that hidden completely. I honestly thought it was gonna make the six o’clock news or something.

"You don’t seem sad."

I flicked my eyes back to Dr. Keller. "That’s because I’m not, at least not the way you would understand."

Maybe coming here was a bad idea. Even though it was part of the plan, I actually wanted to speak with Dr. Keller.

I’ve been meaning to for a very long time, and this was just a win-win situation, as Zade would say.

I tucked some strands of my hair behind my ear and then crossed my legs, seeking confidence in my posture.

Though he didn’t appear to be judging me, he was just neutral. I guess that’s how it works.

He cleared his throat when the silence stretched for a while. "I should... assume you don’t have a relationship with your father."

"No," I replied without batting an eye.

"Should we talk about that?"

"I honestly don’t know."

"What do you wanna talk about then? Why did you come to see me?"

I smiled. "Because you said your door was open anytime."

He mirrored my action. "I believe I did, but I really didn’t think you were gonna come... at all."

I scoffed. "Yeah, me too. But I thought I might need a shrink to talk to."

"A shrink," he said with a hint of amusement.

"Well, someone I know I can trust that whatever I discuss here stays confidential."

Understanding became his gaze. "I see..."

"I’ve men in my life. My husband and his brothers who I think care deeply about me, and a friend—friends."

A slow smile gently tugged my lips. I didn’t realize how much bigger my circle had become until now. It was a nice feeling. Months ago I wouldn’t have imagined it’d turn out like this. God knows my expectations of marrying Zade were definitely a huge turnaround.

"But, um, this is different. I was hoping I could talk with you."

"I’m honored that you went out of your way to discuss this with me."

"And I hope whatever’s said in here stays," I said with a far too serious tone.

"And it will, Mrs. Salvero."

"So! Where do I start?" I asked, feeling a bit relieved.

"However you want. I’m all ears."

That’s reassuring. Let’s hope that stays when I drop this bomb.

"I have a reason to believe that my sister’s alive."

"Your sister?"

I nodded. I was aware that to the rest of the public she died of an illness, though I don’t know how much Dr. Keller knew about the Salvero family, but there was one clear thing.

Annabeth Morri died two years ago.

There was a long silence, and the only reaction I got out of him was his confused expression, not that I was expecting anything else... I think.

"Why would you think your sister’s alive?" he sounded genuinely curious rather than judgy.

"There are signs. And a feeling, I just know it." I avoided his gaze. "You think I’m crazy."

"No, I don’t, Mrs. Salvero. If you have reason to believe that she’s alive, then I think you should trust your instincts."

That... wasn’t what I expected to hear, but it felt like what I needed. Zade had told me not to pursue the past, and when I was certain Annabeth could be alive, he told me there was no way that’s possible.

I understood him, but I can’t ignore this feeling either. I’ll just have to trust my instincts.

"I thought that too..." I replied softly. "I’ve always been the kind of person who runs from anything that has the chance to hurt me. I’m scared of being hurt because I’ve been hurt so many times. You could say I’ve always tried to keep myself in my protective bubble."

"That’s quite a broad perspective. What about now? Do you still feel the need to keep yourself in that protective bubble?"

"No," I replied without so much as flinching. "The situation can’t allow that, and neither can I. Not anymore. A friend helped me realize I can’t run from the past."

"The past. Should I assume this means two years ago?"

"Yes."

He nodded and leaned back on the couch opposite me. "Have you experienced any more headaches?"

"No," I shook my head.

"What about flashes?"

I shook my head only, and when he sensed my disappointment, he said.

"There’s no need to force yourself to remember. I’m sure it’ll come to you."

"When?" I scoffed. "Having this hole in my life. Finding out this hole, it’s just..." I raised my shoulders briefly as I tried to find a way to describe it. "I-It makes me feel like my life is—"

"Incomplete." He finished for me.

"That..." I murmured.

"Mrs. Salvero, two years ago, we weren’t sure you’d ever recover your memories. But considering everything you’ve experienced since then, there’s a reason to be hopeful. Don’t lose faith."

I forced a smile in return.

~☆~

I closed the door behind me and released a sharp sigh. What we talked about in there was something I couldn’t discuss with anyone but him. And I’m glad I finally did because it gave me the perspective I needed.

The twins were waiting at the end of the hallway, engaging in a discussion. Their eyes shifted toward my direction when I got close.

"Tell me again why you two are here," I said lightly.

"We’re your bodyguards now," Luca said, amused, like it was an honor.

"Babysitters," Dante countered.

Leave it to Dante to turn everything against him. I haven’t seen much of him for a while, and his presence right now wasn’t as irritating as I thought it would be. Maybe he’s growing on me.

"Aww, I missed you, Sunshine," I teased.

He rolled his eyes.

"Though I think one bodyguard is enough."

And they weren’t the only ones. Zade’s men lurked in every corner of this place, and I don’t even know who is who.

"That’s because there’s a hitman after you," Luca reasoned.

I didn’t even think I’d ever have the chance to come out here because of how cooped up I’ve been in the manor for the last two days.

Every day when I looked out the window, I saw men patrolling with their big guns. Which I might add was a rare sight given how I never saw any security details around the estate before.

The point is, everyone was... tense, and me being out here felt like I was the president’s wife or something. I couldn’t even attend the academy because I was on sabbatical.

I talked with Mrs. Valmont on the phone. She’d been out of the city for the last few weeks, and she told me I could take all the time I need before coming back.

But that’s the thing, I don’t wanna put my life on hold because of this. Which is why the sooner I find that hitman, the better.

Ding!

I checked my phone.

"He’s here," I said to the twins, and they shared a look.

Without a word, I walked toward the elevator and pushed the button. I stepped in, and the door slid shut.

When the door opened again, I strode out, eyeing the nurses passing by along with a few patients and visitors.

"Anastasia."

I looked toward the direction of that voice and found Julius, so I walked toward him. I observed how his eyes roamed as though searching for something that was out of place.

He was being cautious. I was willing to bet that he didn’t think that I was completely alone.

"Julius."

He smiled. "And here I thought you were gonna call me uncle."

"We both know you’re not. You’re just a stranger who walked into my life at the worst time possible."

Or the perfect time.

"Compared to the long-awaited meeting with the Serpent of Hightower, I say our introduction was the most I was looking forward to."

I smiled, but it didn’t reach my eyes.

"Your call came so soon. Everything... alright?"

"I’m willing to bet that you were expecting my call sooner."

He grabbed my arm gently and walked us away from the window. "Let’s be cautious."

"It’s not like someone is gonna shoot me."

He chuckled. "Please, Anastasia. Don’t joke about something like that."

"Then what do you expect me to do?" I asked sternly.

"What I don’t expect is for you to be out here by yourself. I’m beginning to think that your husband’s doing a poor job protecting you. There’s a killer on the loose."

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