ding wa
lead. She had walked down the aisle in a delicate white gown, her hands trembling as though the fabric itself could ancho
r every step, analysing, judging, calculating. There had been no warmth, no softness, no hint of the man she once
ile that felt more like a mask than an expression. The applause rang
ispered cold commands to the staff, ensuring Evelyn's every movement was scrutinized. Every toast was an
vernous ballroom echoing with silence. Evelyn exhaled a breath she
was
frame casting a shadow over her as they moved toward the private wing of the man
turing to the door. His voice was flat, al
ked. "I um
sharp look. "You don't
ck her humble upbringing. She set down her small clutch and sank onto the
the door ma
He didn't close the door behind him, letting the sound of the hallway ech
twisted. "I signe
'The wife shall comply with the husband's directives in all public appearances.' That includes tonight's dinner. Clause ninetee
uth to protest, b
tly as if to remind her there wa
ce was small.
word. The door clicked behind him,
but not
e betrayal he believed she had committed, the way he had walked away and left her shattered it all c
e couldn't sleep, couldn't eat, couldn't think clearly. Ever
knock c
, she did
lass of water. His expression was
was electric, sending an unwelcome shiver through her body. She pulled
" he said, more stat
ching for words that would
Good. You shouldn't. That's Clause twenty-seven
blinked
ut her off. "Go to sleep. Tom
" Her hear
d." He stepped toward the door, paused, and added,
bly mean? She had already signed the
gh the curtains, painting the walls in streaks of gold and blue. She tried to convince herself she c
wn, she kne
ge was not
about
wood would wiel
ed on the nightstand. A message
y you. Be careful.
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