Chapter 3
“She’s only like this because you never take her to any events,” Anastasia said softly, eyes glistening with fake concern. “She just wants the world to know you belong to her.”
Sylas yanked his hand out of mine like my touch was something filthy. His voice was sharp and cold, not just for me, but for everyone to hear.
“A manipulative woman who sets others up over and over again doesn’t deserve to stand next to me.
“I belong to the one I love. No one else.”
My heart gave a dull ache.
Everyone envied me–New York’s elite wife, married into wealth and power. But no one knew I never even had a wedding.
Back when I still dreamed of a fairy–tale ceremony, Sylas looked at me with that tender, possessive gaze and said, “You in a wedding dress? You’re so beautiful. I can’t bear to share you with anyone. That version of you only one I get to see.
I believed him. I fell for that controlling look in his eyes and thought it was love.
After we got married, I begged him more than once to let me accompany him to events.
He’d bury his face in my chest, mumbling, “I can’t stand the thought of other men staring at you. It drives me crazy.”
I laughed bitterly now.
J
So much for love. Turns out all that emotion was just an act. Every word -just a lie.
I remembered catching him the other day, locked in his study, clutching a photo of Anastasia.
His voice was hoarse with pain as he muttered to himself, “Anastasia, this is the second time you’ve left me.
“I finally figured out who you were, and you were already married to Orlando.
“I tried to bury my feelings. I even forced myself to marry her. But I’ll never give her a wedding. You’re the only bride I’ll ever have.
“She killed you. I swear I’ll make her suffer for the rest of her life.
And suddenly, everything made sense.
Why was he always inviting Anastasia over for dinner?
Why did he buy gifts in pairs?
Why did he always “happen” to be nearby to drive her to parties?
I thought he was just close to Orlando. No. He wanted Orlando’s wife.
I was just the smokescreen to hide his obsession.
And now that Anastasia had “died” and come back, the mask fell off.
He looked at her like she was the only thing that ever mattered.
“From now on, Anastasia’s going to live with me,” he said gently.
Then he turned to me with that frozen stare.
Chapter 3
“And you’ll stay home and take care of her. Make up for what you’ve
done.”
I let out a laugh, sharp and bitter.
“Take care of her? You must be dreaming.”
Just then, a wave of reporters crashed through the gates.
“Ms. Harrett, is it true you were arrested for soliciting sex?”
“Your husband just passed away–how could you do something like this? Isn’t that too heartless?”
Anastasia, pale under the flashing lights, looked like she was about to faint.
She collapsed right into Sylas’s arms.
He shoved me hard, cold fury in his voice.
“The one involved in the prostitution case is my wife, Kiara.
“If you have questions, ask her.”
And with that, he picked up Anastasia and walked away without a second glance, leaving me trapped in a storm of cameras and questions.
I stood there, fists clenched tight.
“Sylas, you know damn well I’m a schoolteacher. You know I can’t afford even the hint of a scandal,” I said inwardly.
By the time I made it back to the Howell’s residence, the person who should’ve greeted me–my precious daughter–was nowhere in sight.
Instead, I saw Anastasia slumped on the couch, looking pitiful.
Chapter 3
Sylas carefully dabbed her forehead with a cloth.
My daughter, Michelle Howell, handed her fruit like she was the queen
of the house.
The three of them looked cozy. Happy. Like they belonged together. Like I was the outsider.
The scene cut through me like a knife.
When they saw me come in, Sylas snapped, “Anastasia’s still shaken up. Go to the kitchen and make her some soup.”
Michelle pouted and glared at me.
“You’re a teacher, and you keep trying to hurt Anastasia over and over. She’s nice enough not to fight back, and you’re still standing there?
“Having a mom like you is so embarrassing.”
My breath caught. I couldn’t even breathe.
Last time, I thought Michelle turned on me because of that scandal.
I didn’t realize she’d already picked a side long before that.
She was still young now.
“If I took her away and explained everything calmly, maybe she’d still understand.”
That’s what I told myself. But deep down, I laughed bitterly.
“Was I really that pathetic?” I thought.
I stared straight at Sylas. “I came to get my daughter, so I don’t get in the way of your little happy family.”
Chapter 3
Sylas stood abruptly. He dragged me into the kitchen and shoved a knife into my hands.
“If I’d known how vicious you were, I would’ve never married you.”
“Ha. What a joke.”
