Livia turned over in bed and gave him her back. Henry stopped just beyond the curtain. That was the first sign that he had, in fact, made a terrible mess of things.
He stood there for a moment, looking at the rigid line of her shoulders beneath the coverlet. Her hair spilled over the pillow and her face was turned towards the wall.
It was humbling. Unfortunately, it was also deserved.
"You did not eat," he said.
Silence answered him.
Henry drew a slow breath. "You need to keep your strength up."
Still nothing.
Not even the smallest movement. He exhaled heavily.
"I should not have said what I said," he said. "I apologise."
Nothing.
"I spoke out of fear."
Still nothing.
Henry rubbed a hand over his face. "Livia, please say something. I give you permission to be angry. Say whatever hurtful thing you wish to hurl at me." He took one step closer. "You may call me cruel."
No response.
"Livia," he said softly. "Look at me."
She did not move.
He waited.
