that seemed too quiet for such a significant moment. Her hands trembled slightly as she reached for the fa

do this," Alexander said, t

too late for that. Far too late. Emilia kept her eyes fixed on Stephanie's face, watching the older woman's expression

old against her exposed skin, raising goosebumps along her arms and shoulders. She could feel the weight of multiple gazes on he

smissively. Her voice dripped with something that sounded almost gleeful. "She

been stripped of many things over the past four years, her dignity, her self-worth, her hope. B

n the word. He took another step toward her, one hand reaching out as if

once, twice, creating a neat square of material. Her movements were deliberate, precise, as if she was performing some kin

dress hitting the floor with a thud. The earrings glinted beneath the necklace,

had started to stream down her face at some point, hot tracks against her cool skin. She hadn't even realized she

e. They were just hers, bought with money she'd earned before the marriage, before Alexander, before any of this nightmare had begun. Her skin

er, she forced them to stay at her sides. She would not cower. Not anymore. The baby in her belly seemed to flutter, as i

form with obvious satisfaction, like a cat that had finally cornered a mouse. She crossed her arms over her chest

citement that made Emilia's stomach turn. She uncrossed her arms to p

show teeth that looked too white, too perfect. She looked like she was enjoying every second o

nd set in the centre. She remembered the day Alexander had given it to her, how her hands had shak

fool sh

that marked where it had sat for so long. The metal was warm from her body heat, familiar against her skin. For jus

ought about the countless nights alone, the birthdays forgotten, the anniversaries ignored. She thought about th

long. She held it in her palm for just a second, feeling its slight weight. Then she

lank that echoed through the entrance hall. It bounced once, twice, then rolled in a small circle bef

sband," Emilia said, and her voice came out stronger than she'd expected, cl

something shift in her chest, as if invisible chains she hadn't known she was wearing h

one hand to her chest, pressing it there as if to contain her joy. Her eyes sparkled with triumph as

er, something that reminded Emilia of the Alpha he was supposed to be. His jaw tightened, muscles working beneath his s

im and flat. Each word came out clipped, precise, like little ston