Rise of the Betrayed wife

a's

onde was hair perfectly styled, her

with exaggerated concern. "I was so worried

ch my arm, but I flinc

just a fraction of a sec

he cooed. "You must

rp eyes scanning me from head to toe like I was

rgot said, her tone clipped. "We can't have you limping

wedd

ll engaged to Declan. The wedding

would never happ

epping aside. "Don't just stand the

iding me inside. I forced myself not to recoil from hi

I had to wait for

watched Declan and Sienna. I rea

but it was there. A look that lasted a heartbeat too long. A small smile that curved at

never seen

ke this marriage work, to be the perfect wife, to earn his

I saw ev

. The way Sienna's hand brushed against Declan's arm as she wa

de me

arp voice cut through my thoughts. "Go make

ok at her, my

uld have shuffled off to the kitchen without question

the woman who'd been shoved and mocked and l

dy to show my hand

way toward the kitchen, fe

moved mechanically, my muscle mem

ng about seating arrangements for the wedding. Sienna was laughing about

with whatever Margot said, playing

ps Margot insisted on using, the ones I wasn't

ll seated around the table. My father had arrived too, sittin

d at me as I set

pped as I placed a cup in front

eek to keep them from sig

ing to the empty chair at the far end of

ng too long, though the pain was nothing compa

ffee with deliberate precision, "we need to finalize the wedding de

d, her eyes bright with fake enthusiasm. "And

s section of the Times," my father said, not looking at me. "Thi

s to him. A bargaining

otographer," Declan said smoot

like it was a corporate transaction they were managing. Not on

never

ere supposed to be my family, plan

mother was

and made a face. "Isla, this i

inside m

ng against the floor with a harsh so

s turne

arly and deliberately, my m

tting marri

Everyone looked so shocked,

e darkened. "Wh

ned, her mouth fal

Margot set down

s expression became unreadable, but

ised, my heart pou

ting married

His face had gone red, the vein in his temple t

anded, his voice booming through the

hands steady even thou

N

I signed. One

o