The Husband I Never Loved

ined her whole life to navigate power struggles, but nothing had prepared

ce unwavering. "But let's get somethin

arble bar in the corner of the grand hall. He poured himself a drink

"This marriage isn't about love. It's not even about you and me." His gaze flicke

ed shiver down her spine. "Then you're in for a disappointment," s

his glass down. "Good.

of a reaction. But he was testing her, toying with the bounda

ed man entered-the Hawthorne family's lawyer. He carrie

he man said, placing the documen

illian in a marriage that neither of them wanted. She hated that her father had played this ga

rd her, his fingers barely b

of weakness, but he offered none. He wa

game of power, she would make sure he knew she wasn't an easy opponent. Sh

against hers just a second too long. Then, with the same e

hering the documents. "The weddin

stiffened.

space to figure out how to survive this, but it

the two of them in the massi

said, crossing her arms. "Fas

ing her like she was a puzzle he was ea

bitter smile. "You so

theart, you walked into t

"You think this is a cage for me? Maybe you sho

dn't fade. If anything

arrying me gives you control. But here's the thing, Killian-I don't brea

, and then he laughed. A deep, rich sou

e table, his towering presence closing the sp

ted to play this game, she would show him

ne thought he could own he