I smiled and thought about a conversation I’d had with Natalia while I was in Cincinnati. She thought I’d wasted enough time on a ‘slow burn’ relationship with Derek—her words, not mine. She reminded me that love could be healthy and told me to explore what Derek and I had. She was right, although she didn’t have to work too hard to convince me. I already knew where my heart was.
I smiled and rested my head against his strong chest.
“I do know that. Just like I know, I deserve to be happy. That’s why I came back. It didn’t take me long to realize my happiness was in New York because that’s where you were. I planned to rent a moving truck and bring some things back here—like the couch, so I could replace the old one I’m currently using. But…” I hesitated, not sure how to articulate my feelings.
“But what?” Derek prodded, leaning back to look at me.
“I didn’t want anything—not the couch, not any of my old clothes or jewelry. The only thing I took was a small cedarwood box that had mementos of my mom. Taking anything else would have reminded me of that part of my life. I want to forget all of it, Derek. I want to start over, old couch and all. I have a new life here in Queens, and I want to focus on that. I never want to be dependent on a man again, but with you…” I needed him to understand in a way I’d never needed him to understand me before.
There were many pieces of my past I never wanted to give voice to—secrets I would take to my grave because I couldn’t bear looking at the completed puzzle—but how I felt about Derek wasn’t going to be a part of that jigsaw. Today, I would begin creating a new picture.
“What is it, Sparky?” he prompted.
“Being away made me realize how much I need you in my life… no… how much I want you in my life. I love you, Derek, and I was hoping maybe—just maybe—you might be on the same page. What do you say, boy scout? Me, you, Maisie? Want to start over and give this a real chance? No more secrets. No more Val. Just me, Gianna Valentini.”
He tilted my chin up and forced me to look into those gorgeous hazel eyes. The tiny flecks of green sparkled as his gaze intensified. I blushed from the powerful wave of deep emotion and looked down.
He chuckled.
“I love the way you lower those long lashes when you’re embarrassed.”
I snapped my head up to look at him again.
“I’m not embarrassed.”
That just made him laugh more.
“I love that, too—the way your tiny shoulders stiffen with indignation when you’re offended.”
I pursed my lips in a frown and quirked up a brow.
“You still haven’t answered my question,” I pointed out.
Instead of answering me, he went to toss his near-empty coffee cup in a trash can by the side of the road. When he returned to me, something intense had swallowed his easy humor from a moment before. He placed his hands on my hips and turned me to face him, so we were toe-to-toe. Everything around us seemed to fade away. All the people and cars passing by were nothing more than a backdrop. The only thing I was aware of was the tall, sandy-haired, and broad-shouldered man before me. His gaze was penetrating.
“I love you, Gianna. I love you with everything that I am. We all have demons, but it’s up to us when we choose to face them. You confronted yours and managed to stand strong in the end. Your story is a testament to getting back up. I’m proud of you. You inspire me, and I am honored you’re choosing me to share your life.”
My mouth tilted up on one side.
“So, is that a yes?”
He reached up to graze the side of my cheek ever so softly with his knuckles. His eyes glimmered with a barrage of emotions—affection, desire, and longing, but most of all, I saw love.
“It’s definitely a yes.”
My breath caught, and all the air seemed to dissipate from my lungs as if I’d been swept away by a fierce undercurrent. I was drowning, and Derek was my ocean. Our breaths mingled together as his arms circled my lower back and pulled me to him. He was so strong in the way he held me as he brought his lips down to meet mine. I surrendered to the kiss, knowing I didn’t have to lose a piece of myself to find love. I could accept his without reservation, freely and completely.
Independence and love could coexist as long as I allowed it.
THE END
BOOKS BY DAKOTA WILLINK
The Stone Series
Heart of Stone
Stepping Stone
Set In Stone
The Cadence Duet
Cadence Untouched
Cadence Defined
The Sound of Silence
Releasing November 2020
Endurance
Releasing April 2021:
Cadence crossover into K. Bromberg’s Driven World
Big Shot Producer
More Info Coming Soon
Vi Keeland & Penelope Ward’s Cocky Hero Club
Ever After Trilogy
Releasing Summer 2021
Afraid to Love
Dare to Believe
Promise to Live
WRITTEN UNDER MARIE CHRISTY
And I Smile
Children’s Book
Nevertheless She Persisted: Me Too
SOVAS Award winning non-fiction anthology with various authors and audiobook narrators, produced by Blunder Woman Productions
For more, please visit www.dakotawillink.com
A Note From The Author
Dear Readers,
I hope you enjoyed reading The Sound of Silence. This book was inspired by a piece I wrote for Nevertheless We Persisted: Me Too, a special audiobook collection of essays and poems from people who are survivors of sexual discrimination and abuse.
While The Sound of Silence is fiction, there are many truths to it—not in the actual storyline per se, but reflective in our way of life. For too long, victims have been silent. Some remain quiet because of shame, others because of fear. Silence also comes from societal pressures that convince victims their story is not real, valid, or important.
I realize parts of this book were not always easy to read—just as the life of a victim is not easy to endure. I spoke to many abuse survivors while writing this book, seeking their input to ensure Gianna’s story was nothing short of authentic. While being married to a radicalized serial killer is far from reality, the story of her abuse isn’t.
The women I interviewed told me about their experiences, and I will forever be grateful to them for their brutal honesty. These brave women shared stories of put downs which, eventually, turned into full blown criticisms from their partner. Soon after, the control would start. They were questioned, had no personal space, and endured unrealistic demands. Then came the mistreatment, cruelty, and abuse. It was often so subtle, by the time it was noticed, it was too late. More often than not, the women were made to feel it was somehow their fault. The feelings of confusion, bewilderment, and fear were so powerful, they no longer recognized their way out.
During my conversations, I came to realize one very important fact. Every woman I know has been victim of harassment, abuse, or violence of some kind. I want all the women out there to know, me too.