la's trembling palms, betraying the

r. Since childhood, Isabella had endured relentless verbal and physical abuse from their stepfather, scars that left her tongue tied in m

o idea-nor would they likely

en weight pressed down

ith lazy amusement, silently warning her to sta

ows as she subtly leaned away, trying to p

her coat with deliberate boldness, his warm palm settling firmly aga

t her eyes fixed on Isabella the entire tim

earby, spoke in an unhurried tone. "There was no mistake-that plat

turned to the man abrupt

tually stepping

son could he have

lexander possessed any real kindness, nor could she imagine that a single

m like a stone cast into still water, quietly redirecting the blame and easing the weig

from Isabella to her eldest son, a tr

also stared at Alexan

he quickly lowered her head, blinking

t, Pamela fell si

tion. Still, her mother-in-law, Celine Evans, was critically ill, and more than an

h their family's demand-getting pregnan

a while, Pamela finally

t polish, Pamela believed the girl could be shaped into a

ng where they did now, benefited far more from a compliant

y spoiled from birth, and Pamela knew that if she tried to

ions did not need a woman to prop them up

lie suggested that Isabella be married into the Evans

ture made her the perfect choice to smo

law herself delighted Pamela, and that sa

tart. This wasn't the outcome I wanted. But since you and Nathan have already... Y

nough to feel like a quiet threat. Natalie lifted her

man was doing this on purpose

forced down the storm of emoti

e Evans family was her only real choice, and it was stil

thout any feelings involved,

g Pamela's gaze with quiet, steady resolve. "I'll acc

ela's eyes, and she gave

sister..." Natalie b

lder. "What's done is done. We'll see

autiously looked toward Ale

in her mind-"And what makes you think

still afraid of Alexander, yet deep down, sh

ze brushing over Isabella's strained, uneasy

fingertips pressed quietly into her palm as she lowered her head

resistance. "Since everything's settled, Isabella will marry Alex, and Natalie

Now that you're with Alex, I'll be holding you to a higher standard. If you can't even stand besi

y visible beneath her composure, as she lowered her eyes and ans

der's expression dimmed almost imperceptibly, a shadow

easing now that she'd made her point. "Once the marriage is

.

wo newly formed couples parted ways, ea

vements composed and unhurried. Offering a quiet thanks, she slipped inside an

ahead, knowing her sister sat inside it, bo

or herself, silently repeating that as long as h

rnly in her chest. Three months

Alexander's low, measured voice cut in

im, her wide eyes colliding w

d through her mind, and she caught her lower lip between her t

ngered in her legs

she had tried to pull away, he had simply tig

the end, he had flipped her over, pressing her d

three months made it certain-he

nded Alexander of how she had trembled beneath him, her soft, broken sounds

no need to look like that," he muttered coolly. "If getting pregnant w

er chest. "I do want it," she blurted quickly. "I re

Alexander's demeanor eased, her response clearly landing as intended.

steady, almost indifferent. "Focus on improving yourself. The

.

s car, the mood shifted into

et breath, he immediately leaned in, his tall frame

re the one I ended up

Natalie simply turned

ith a lazy chuckle, "Tell me-out of everything w

brothers in her mind, unable to reconcile how they could be so

d too. You really think he doesn't know what happens between a man and his wife? Besides,

ought you were Alexander Evans," she retorted. "I was only fulfi

unhurried. "Tell me, what's the real difference? Being with me st

answered coolly, "With you, it feels mo

dge in his demeanor receded as he straighte

regnant, aren't you? If that's the goal, then keeping me entertai

e as he added, "My mother's alr

d tried to win his favor before; the only reason he lingered in

something he could di

little weight for him-it had happened only because his

ns, he would never have ch

Nathaniel's jaw as he said flatly

ready sensing that the more she brought up p

replied, "All right... just te

irritation. "I don't feel like seeing you for a

in line, though her tone r

away, leaving on

ot slamming against the car door. "Pull over. Tell Alexander to hand

the roadside and brought it to a stop. "Mr. Evans, i

sed his identification onto the seat, already shifting toward the door. Yet ev

, settling heavily

en more dull, utterly devoid o

drifted from the back seat, so soft and fleeting th

natic!" sh

the car again, the vehicle had already su

ati

some nerve, insulting hi

thaniel nearly decided to call

et, only for his expression to stif

t and speak to his brother face-to-face. But in the very next moment, A