She's Dead, But I'm The One Punished
re had been no congratulations, no acknowledgment of the life-altering decision she had just made. The moment she sign
her new chambers, Alessandra wondered if this was what it felt like to walk to
n. High ceilings with intricate molding, velvet drapes framing arched windows that overlooked the vast estate gardens, and a fireplace large
er tone devoid of warmth. "The master's quarters are
ned to her. "A
rown off by the question. "Then
. She had spent most of her life being an afterthought, a spare piece to be used w
ou," she
herself, leaving Alessandra standing i
retched endlessly, neatly trimmed hedges and marble fountains gleaming under the moonlight
ons, their endless hunger for power and status. Marrying Lucian had n
did not want a wife. A woman placed in a ro
the edge of the bed. She let out a slow breath and cl
, a
s snapp
but when the doors creaked open,
was
n Arq
d his jacket, the sleeves of his shirt rolled up, revealing the taut lines of his forearms. He looked... at ease. And yet, the
liking," he said, his voice as
d herself to mee
ing. "Good. There are a few things you s
wed. "I'm
h deliberate slowness. The click of the lock echoed louder t
will have access to anything you need-resources, staff, money. In pub
hitched as he took
he continued. "Not in th
inst the silk sheets.
th in it. "A performance. One that wil
hold his gaze. "And if that
eyes-something dark, someth
nt becomes meaningle
oldness of his words. Meaningless. Was that all she was to him?
his carefully crafted mask seemed to slip, just enough for her to see s
id, his voice lower now, almost quiet. "But I am not a kind
anglements meant no risk of heartbreak. No chance of being shat
ye
it settled deep
turned toward the door. "Get some rest. The e
ike that,
staring at the empty sp
ons. No love
not a m
as sur