The Wife He Couldn't Keep

host at the feast, as th

r. was purp

uch filth in my house

the table. Glasses ratt

rm caught the edge of a heavy serving platter. I

the patriarch, could

splashed onto h

, a sharp int

nd, didn' t look at Ava.

hind him, shielding her from the

loe?" he murmured

d without a word to Ava, steered Chloe o

rting and speeding away ec

her arm burning, her dress ruine

ousin perhap

ergency room, treated

er step-brother Liam. He was there. He must have flown in from

ay?" Liam asked,

t are you

worried sick. I go

door opened.

ed slightly. He looked uncomfor

I am so, so sorry! Are you alright? It'

yes was just so upset. And Ethan..

lfish allergy, Ava. Was there shrimp in that gr

it wasn't an allergy. I

e explained quietly, "It was just hot. I moved too slow." She

looked at Ethan. "He told his father he wouldn' t attend any mo

rse. Ethan would defy his

The final, un

. It was his father, his voic

e, a note of urgency. "My father is

as they arrived, leavi

quiet comfort. He didn'

sleep. She walked down the quie

mall, secluded

ices. Ethan'

, his voice thick with emotion. "Marrying Ava was the b

r hand flying

whispered. "I lov

Ava sa

rms, a desperate, passionate

d his neck, returning th

e apart,

ightly, and her

. A gasp of pure horror