Chapter Three: Silent Longings

The following days passed like a waking dream, with Natalie caught between the oppressive reality of her marriage and the quiet thrill she felt whenever she thought of Ricardo. The boundaries between her duty and her desires blurred, leaving her restless and distracted. Every time Jez brushed past her in their small home, his presence felt heavier, more suffocating. Every glance, every word, reminded her of the life she was trapped in—a life where love was a prison, not a sanctuary.

Jez’s paranoia had worsened since the laws had changed. He was emboldened by the Marital Rape Elimination Act and the Marital Self Defense Act, convinced that his authority as a husband was absolute. He had taken to inspecting her phone regularly, scrolling through her texts and calls with a critical eye.

“You’ve been quiet lately,” he said one evening, his eyes narrowing as he set her phone on the counter. “Anything you want to tell me?”

“No,” Natalie said, keeping her voice even. “Just tired from work.”

Jez’s gaze lingered on her for a moment before he nodded, but Natalie could feel his suspicion lingering in the air. She knew better than to push him, to give him any reason to dig deeper. But the weight of his scrutiny made her every move feel dangerous.

At the bookstore, Ricardo became an anchor in Natalie’s turbulent life. Their conversations grew deeper, their interactions more charged. Every laugh, every fleeting touch, felt like a rebellion—a quiet defiance against the life she’d been forced to accept. She told herself that their connection was harmless, that as long as they didn’t cross any lines, she wasn’t doing anything wrong.

But she couldn’t deny the longing that had taken root in her heart.

One afternoon, as Ricardo lingered at the counter, Natalie found herself opening up in a way she hadn’t with anyone in years.

“Do you ever feel like you’re… stuck?” she asked, her voice low.

Ricardo looked up from the book he was flipping through, his dark eyes meeting hers. “All the time,” he said. “Why do you think I moved here? Forest Grove was supposed to be my fresh start.”

“Has it been?” Natalie asked, her tone curious but edged with something more—hope, maybe.

Ricardo shrugged, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Some days, it feels like I’m still figuring things out. But meeting you…” He trailed off, his expression softening. “You’ve made this place feel less lonely.”

Natalie felt her cheeks flush, her heart pounding in her chest. She glanced around the store, suddenly aware of how quiet it was, how close they were. “Ricardo…” she began, but she didn’t know how to finish.

“I know,” he said, his voice gentle. “I’m not trying to make things harder for you. I just… I want you to know you’re not alone.”

The sincerity in his voice, the warmth in his gaze—it was almost too much. Natalie felt the walls she’d built around herself begin to crumble, piece by piece.

That night, as she lay in bed next to Jez, her thoughts were consumed by Ricardo. She imagined his smile, the way he looked at her like she was the only person in the room. She felt a pang of guilt, but it was quickly overshadowed by the ache of longing that had taken hold of her.

Jez stirred beside her, his hand brushing against her arm. “What’s wrong with you lately?” he muttered, his voice groggy but sharp.

“Nothing,” she said quickly, turning to face him. “I’m fine.”

He didn’t respond, already drifting back to sleep, but Natalie lay awake for hours, her mind racing. She couldn’t shake the feeling that she was on the edge of something, teetering between the life she knew and the life she desperately wanted.

The turning point came one rainy afternoon. The bookstore was empty, the steady patter of rain against the windows creating a cocoon of quiet. Ricardo had stopped by again, his presence as comforting as ever.

“You look like you could use a break,” he said, leaning on the counter.

Natalie sighed, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “You have no idea.”

Ricardo hesitated, then reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper. “I wasn’t sure if I should give this to you, but… here.”

Natalie took the paper, her hands trembling slightly. She unfolded it, her eyes scanning the handwritten words. It was a letter—a confession, raw and heartfelt. Ricardo had poured his feelings onto the page, laying bare the depth of his love for her and his hope that she might feel the same.

She looked up at him, her heart pounding. “Ricardo… I don’t know what to say.”

“You don’t have to say anything,” he said quickly, his expression vulnerable. “I just needed you to know how I feel. And if you don’t feel the same, I’ll understand. I’ll leave you alone.”

For a moment, Natalie was silent, the weight of his words hanging between them. Then, without thinking, she stepped around the counter and wrapped her arms around him. He stiffened in surprise before relaxing into her embrace, his hands resting lightly on her back.

“I’m scared,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

“I know,” he said, his voice steady. “But you don’t have to be.”

Natalie pulled back just enough to look up at him, her gaze meeting his. And in that moment, she knew that no matter how dangerous it was, no matter what the consequences might be, she couldn’t deny her feelings any longer.

End of Chapter Three