Chapter 49 I glare at him. “Get out p> He doesn’t. Instead, he steps closer, crouching in front of me without asking. Too close Way too close. “Give me the shoe,” he says “No p> He looks up at me, eyebrow lifting slightly. “Little spitfire p> “I don’t need your

Chapter 48 She chuckles. “Come. I’ll introduce you to the other staff properly p> We turn into a sitting room where two women are arranging flowers on a long table. One of them looks up first, dark curls pulled into a messy bun, sleeves rolled up. “Oh,” she says, eyes

Chapter 47 She wipes her hands on the apron and walks toward me. “I’m Margaret. You don’t need to stand there looking lost. Come, come Sit p> Her tone leaves no room for argument. She gestures to the table near the window. I hesitate for half a second, then do

Chapter 46 Lure her to consummate our marriage and bear a child for me. If all goes well, she’ll be back to her house before the next summer ends, divorce papers filed and chaos removed from my life. Initially, I thought my father had chosen well, that I had chosen

Chapter 45 Zane’s POV She’s asleep in the chair beside the bed when they finally clear me for discharge. Curled slightly to one side, her shoes are kicked off and wedding dress pooled around her. Her arms are crossed even in sleep, like she doesn’t fully trust where she’s resting.

Chapter 44 “You married me,” I remind him again. “I’m starting to think that was a mistake p> I lean one hip against the foot of the bed. “You don’t get to regret it yet. It’s been less than five hours p> “Give me time,” he says. “I’m still itchy

Chapter 43 I sit. Then I stand. Then I sit again. My shoes are off, cause my feet ache like a fucking bitch. I tug at the sleeves of my dress, suddenly too aware of how ridiculous I look like this, just married and alone in a hospital. A nurse

Chapter 42 Zane’s POV From the wedding p> I don’t turn around when the music starts. I already know it’s her. Even my bestman straightens beside me, like he senses something coming down the aisle that matters. Still, I don’t look. I wait. I hear her footsteps, slow and measured.

Chapter 41 Elaine’s POV. As the car doors close and we move toward the reception, I force my mind back to my plan. A few months that all. I can survive a few months of this. And maybe, just maybe, the universe will tip the scales in my favor before

Chapter 40 I tighten my fingers around Zane’s hand even though every nerve in my body is screaming to pull away. The officiant’s voice rises, calm and steady. “Do you, Elaine Hartwell, take Zane Whitmore to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and in

Chapter 39 Elaine’s POV When I was a little girl I always imagined how my wedding day would be, I saw the love my parents had for each other and I desperately wanted that too. I imagined my mom dressing me up and my dad walking me down the aisle

Chapter 38 Elaine’s POV The party thins out slowly, like people don’t want to be the first to leave in case they miss something. I’m ready to go an hour before anyone notices. Zane barely leaves my side, which feels intentional. Like he’s doing it just to get under my

Chapter 37 The room fills faster than I expect. Lucas stays close, but he’s not the only one tonight. Noah is already near the bar, nursing a drink and glaring at anyone who looks at me for longer than two seconds. Caleb drifts in and out, greeting people, smiling like

Chapter 36 Elaine’s POV How time flies when you don’t want it to. Today is my engagement day. The thought hits me the second I open my eyes. Settled in my chest like something I swallowed and never digested. I lie there for a few seconds, staring at the ceiling,

Chapter 35 By the time the music shifts again, my head feels like it’s packed full with cotton. Not spinning anymore, just heavy and pressed in from the inside. I keep my posture straight anyway. Shoulders back. Chin level. Ivy’s voice echoes in my head, telling me not to give

Chapter 34 The music shifts into something slower. Zane turns slightly toward me. “Dance p> It’s not a question. I look at him. “No p> He doesn’t blink. “You’re going to p> Lucas moves, but I feel it before I see it. The heat of his anger at my back.

Chapter 33 Elaine’s POV “This is a dinner,” he says. “Not a battlefield p> I look past him. Suits. Dresses. Smiles that don’t reach the eyes. “Funny,” I reply. “Everyone looks armed p> His mouth curves, just barely. Not a smile. Something close Before he can say anything back, a

Chapter 32 Elaine’s POV. Lucas waits outside the hall with me like he’s standing guard. He looks down at my arm looped through his and exhales through his nose. “You good p> “I think so,” I say. I don’t sound convinced. “If I throw up on someone, just pretend you

Chapter 31 The mall was crowded in the way it always was in the middle of the day. Too many people. Too much noise. Music humming faintly from speakers overhead, mixed with chatter and footsteps and the occasional laugh that carried too far. Ivy walked a few steps ahead of

Chapter 30 I woke up earlier than usual. My body just refused to stay asleep. The house was quiet in that early-morning way. I lay there for a bit, staring at the ceiling, listening to the low hum of the air conditioner and the distant sound of someone moving around