All Chapters of The Withered Flower of Silence: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

CHIARA P.O.VFriedrichshafen, a city I can barely pronounce correctly, was our chosen destination for a girls' night out to watch an outdoor movie at a charity event. I couldn’t even remember the last time I went to the cinema or watched a movie. It was an attempt to temporarily set aside the tensions in Meersburg, and when I spoke of "tension," I meant between Constanz and me. Although my worries remain hidden for the moment, I wanted to find the perfect time to talk to her.I was worried about my friendship with Constanz, but perhaps there was something that concerned me almost as much. How will Wolfgang react to this outing? I know it deeply affects him when I'm out of the house, even for a few hours. Still, during the journey, I tried to convince myself that following the parameters Magda gave us would ease Wolfgang's discomfort. For example, we had to return before 11 PM, and we were accompanied by two of the bodyguards who work at the house.The nightlife in Friedrichshafen seem

CHIARA P.O.VWolfgang continues until we exit the park, and he stops to let me get into the passenger seat of a huge black Jeep. As he fastens my seatbelt without looking at me, I refrain from breathing or doing anything to upset him, feeling as if I've done something wrong and my father is one word away from unleashing his annoyance and punishing me for a year. I finally sigh and look straight ahead as Wolfgang closes my door and walks around to sit in the driver's seat, starting to drive.He doesn't say anything to me the entire way. I can't speak, and my hands tremble now as I recall everything that happened; they were about to kidnap me for the third time in my life. The adrenaline has worn off, leaving only worry, fear, and guilt. I glance at Wolfgang sideways as he drives. For some reason, what I feel toward Wolfgang right now isn't fear, even when he fastened the seatbelt carefully, he won't hurt me, he promised. But I'm still afraid he's upset with me because this time I know

WOLFGANG P.O.VWhen I park the car in the driveway, Magda, Bruno, Constanz, and Hans are waiting at the door of the house. Before I can get out, Hans is already walking towards me, while the rest of them surround Chiara and embrace her. Although she smiles kindly at them, I know she's feeling a lot of things. Magda is right, she's more alone in the world than I am, and that's why now I want to give her everything I have, even if I once believed that what I have wasn't enough to let me rest in peace."Everyone's waiting for you in the office," Hans informs me immediately. "Blaz has new information about the party in Rome."I nod in his direction. I circle the car and reach Chiara, ignoring the looks of surprise in my great aunt's and Bruno's eyes when I plant a kiss on Chiara's forehead."I have things to sort out in the office, but I want you to sleep with me tonight, in my room," I tell her quietly.She nods like a good girl."What's going on here?" Magda complains, looking at us acc

WOLFGANG P.O.VI see Chiara coming out of the stable, and for the first time in a long while, I feel truly powerless. Her warning echoed in my mind: "If you don't talk to her, there's no Rome, no kisses, and no sex." I furrow my brow, feeling a strange mix of excitement and frustration."Since when does she have this fire and character?" I mutter to myself, almost feeling the fury in my member, which suddenly feels as powerless as I do.When had I ever considered giving in to a woman's demands just because I feared she'd keep her promise? Chiara isn't just any woman, I remind myself, without her, I fear I'll return to the dark pit I've been in for most of my life.I approach the horse and offer it an apple. In my frustration, I glance at the horse as a question forms in my mind."Has she treated you like this before, or is it just me?"The horse snorts in response, as if understanding my dilemma. I feel ridiculous for talking to an animal. I shake my head, wondering if I was already l

CHIARA P.O.VMy eyes slowly open. I look out the window; the sky is cloudy, and it's still night. Wolfgang's warmth surrounds me; I'm sitting on his lap as he holds me with his strong arms. Although I've barely slept, it feels like a deep and restful dream. Since we boarded the jet, Wolfgang has kept me close, comforting me in a gesture that seems more intimate than any protocol would allow, as I'm not sure if it's correct to fly this way. However, I couldn't feel safer with Wolfgang.I glance around the interior of the jet and realize something I didn't notice when we boarded two hours ago. It's the same jet we used when I came to Germany with Wolfgang. The reality of our present is completely different now. Before, I didn't even take the time to appreciate how beautiful the interior of the jet is.Hans and the boys are seated on the other side. While Klaus and Gunther sleep, Karl and Hans are chatting among themselves. I've never been able to communicate with them since they don't un