The Secrets He Keeps のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 1 - チャプター 10

We made the journey in the middle of winter.First, we took a flight. Then, we transitioned to a train ride. One car ride later, we had to switch to a jeep instead. In the end, we had to walk for more than six miles to reach our destination.Finally, my boyfriend, Anthony Hawthorne, and I stood before his house. I even hunched over with my hands clasped onto my knees while panting heavily. At the same time, I began studying Anthony's childhood home.It wasn't as rundown as I thought. If anything, it looked like a regular farmhouse that seemed to have weathered some years.I recalled the houses that were scattered across the area when I walked past them earlier. Honestly speaking, Anthony's childhood home was considered one of the better ones."Let's enter my home."Anthony took my hand and led me into the farmhouse. As he walked, he called out, "Mom, I'm home! Look who's here with me!"As soon as Anthony's voice rang out, someone dashed out of the farmhouse. She stopped before u

By then, Fiona was doing the dishes in the kitchen with her sleeves all rolled up.I asked softly, "Do you need a hand?"Fiona seemed pretty startled by my question. The bowl that she was holding slipped from her hands and fell into the sink with a loud clatter.A panicked expression appeared on her face as she waved at me hurriedly as a sign that she didn't need my help. She even backed away from me when she saw me approaching her.My gaze fell onto Fiona's arms. Now that her sleeves were rolled up, I could see long red scars, both old and new, marring her arms.The sight of the scars made my gaze darken slightly. I was about to approach Fiona and grab her arm to ask her what happened when I heard a voice coming from behind me."Roxy, what are you doing?" Anthony asked.I froze on the spot. Fiona quickly glanced at me before shaking her head at me. Then, she rolled down her sleeves rapidly in order to hide the scars. After that, she continued doing the dishes with her head lo

That night, I couldn't sleep a wink. Thank goodness Anthony never shared a bed with me. Otherwise, he would've known that something was up with me.Anthony never did anything intimate with me during our three-year relationship. I always thought of him as a proper gentleman, but now, I had to second-guess the reasons behind his lack of intimacy with me.When Anthony noticed the dark rings under my eyes, he couldn't help but smile. "What's wrong? You couldn't sleep at all?"I kept my head hung low as I answered faintly, "Yeah… I think I suffered from a terrible fright last night. I kept having nightmares…""Why don't I beat Fiona up again to help you vent your frustrations?" Anthony suggested. His smile was now malicious.My pupils shrank instantly. "No need for that! I think I startled her because I entered the kitchen abruptly yesterday. That's probably why she… Um, is she okay?""She's fine. She's doing a lot better than you. It's just that she deserves to be punished," Anthon

I hid in the toilet and sent a text message immediately. After that, I returned to the main wing of the farmhouse. I schooled my expression to the best I could for fear that Anthony suspected that I knew something. Anthony enjoyed himself thoroughly at lunch. He even had a few extra drinks.On the way home, I propped Anthony up. He was already tipsy. Then, I probed, "Anthony, I miss my home.""You miss your home? You won't be missing that soon enough." The way Anthony looked at me sent chills down my spine.I pretended to not understand what he said. I lowered my gaze before replying, "Perhaps I should go home, Anthony. My parents are celebrating the Wintermoon holidays at home this year. They'll definitely miss me."Anthony grabbed my hand forcefully. "I can't let you leave! You came all the way here, after all!"My heart kept sinking the whole time."Be a good girl, okay? We're almost there… We're almost there now…"Another cold wind hit me on full blast, making me tremble o

Two minutes of silence later, Anthony said in a low tone, "Roxy, just come out, and I'll tell you everything. I have my own reasons for doing that to you."I just shook my head while crying. "I don't trust you anymore! Anthony, just tell me the truth! If your reasons are valid, I'll still forgive you!"Honestly speaking, I didn't even trust myself for saying that.But Anthony seemed to believe me. Well, maybe he was also confident that I could never escape from this place.He seemed to be leaning against the door. His tone was now laid-back. "Sure, I can tell you the truth. You can't escape anyway. "Roxanne, you're far too vigilant for your own good. I wanted to give you to that man once the holidays were over, but your conflict with Fiona last night made me uneasy. The expression you showed at my uncle's place was also quite odd. Otherwise, you could've spent a few more days in peace and luxury."Mrs. Hawthorne must have tried to stop Anthony from speaking, for I heard him chuc