“Can we talk?”
Donovan had appeared at my side without a sound.
He wore a perfectly tailored suit, looking every bit the powerful, eye–catching man he was.
“There’s nothing to talk about.”
I lowered my eyes and tried to walk past him, but he anticipated my move, stepping in front of me to block my path.
12:19 PM
for her.”
Genevieve was a master of feigned kindness.
If she truly cared about my reputation, she would have shut down the gossip the moment it started. But she didn’t.
“Can we talk?”
Donovan had appeared at my side without a sound.
He wore a perfectly tailored suit, looking every bit the powerful, eye–catching man he was.
“There’s nothing to talk about.”
I lowered my eyes and tried to walk past him, but he anticipated my move, stepping in front of me to block my path. “Why didn’t you answer my calls?”
“I was busy.”
“Doing what? What could possibly keep you busy for hours without returning a single call?”
Nooked up, meeting his gaze directly. “I was with my boyfriend. There are a lot of things we could be doing.”
His face tightened, his thoughts clearly turning to something unpleasant.
“Do you even know what kind of person Ronan Finch is? And you’re just… with him.”
My gaze was calm. “I didn’t know what kind of person you were, and I still married you.” “That’s different!”
“How is it different?”
Before he could answer, I added, “Right. My relationship with Ronan is consensual.”
My tone must have been more scathing than I intended because Donovan’s face went rigid.
I turned to leave, but he grabbed my wrist.
“When did it start between you and Ronan?”
“Does it matter to you?”
I tried to wrench my hand free, but the more I struggled, the tighter he held on.
“Carys, was this why you were in such a hurry to divorce me? For him?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Let go.”
He didn’t budge. “You can be with anyone, but not him.
“Are you insane?”
I stomped my heel down hard on his polished shoe.
He winced in pain and his grip loosened. I seized the opportunity to pull my hand free, stumbling back several steps. “You should focus on your wedding. Brother–in–law.”
Donovan’s face went white.
His lips parted, but no words came out.
I admit, in that single moment, I felt a flash of vengeful satisfaction.
But the feeling was fleeting, replaced by an unprecedented clarity.
“Tel! Genevieve that whatever I owed her has been paid in full. From now on, we owe each other
nothing.”
Chapter Two
When I was a child, I nearly drowned while sneaking out to swim
Genevieve saved me.
I came out of it without a scratch.
Genevieve, however, was in the hospital for a full day before she woke up.
That was the most agonizing period of my life.
My parents took turns berating me. Relatives looked at me with disappointment.
After Genevieve woke up, they forbade me from going near her.
They transferred me to another school and made sure I didn’t apply to the same university as her. Years later, they demanded I marry Donovan in her place.
I refused.
They said, “You owe your sister a life. Forget marrying for her, if she asked for your life, you couldn’t refuse.”
They also said, “Donovan Sutton is willing to marry you, and you’re being picky? His acceptance is a blessing for you.” He said.
She said.
They all said.
But not a single one of them ever asked if I wanted to marry him.
“Carys, why aren’t you going in?”
Paige Dalton’s voice pulled me from my thoughts.
I smiled, “I was just about to.”
She glanced around. “Why isn’t Ronan with you?”
“Something came up. He’s on his way.”
“Well, let’s go in then.”
The moment we entered, the chatter inside died instantly.
