THIRTY-TWO

ELISE’S POV

I got back from shopping right on time for dinner.

“Where’s my husband?” I asked, throwing a look at Joe.

“He’s in the dining room ma’am,” Joe responded.

Perfect! What better opportunity to bond with my husband than over some delicious food? I had so much I wanted to discuss with him.

Miguel was already munching on his food when I entered the dining room, my shopping bags dangling on my arm.

“Hey, babe,” I called out, trying to inject some warmth into my voice. “I had the most amazing day ever,” I said, attempting to spark a conversation, but silence wrapped us like a thick fog, and it stung even more when he didn’t look up.

I dropped the shopping bags onto a nearby chair, the sound echoing like a gunshot in the stillness.

“Take these to my room,” I instructed Hannah, one of the maids.

“Are you really gonna ignore me?” I pressed, my pulse quickening. “I thought we could chat over dinner,” I said, slumping onto the seat beside him.

“Not now, Elise,” he muttered, his voice l