pte

on had surrendered to

metallic click that barred him from our room. Needing something to drown out the ache in my chest, I set my phonograph to play Frédéric Chopin's Nocturne

nocks shatter

Mrs. Kingsley,

e of slumber. When the frantic tapping didn't stop, I pulled myself out of

is liver is acting up-he's in severe stomach pain, doubled over. The butler sent me to ask if you coul

ne by cold candlelight for hours while he dined with V

, my voice icy and devoid of emotion. "Blend it until it is completely smooth, stir in ha

word, I shut the door firmly

le peace of the piano notes. But not even five minutes passed b

ould the kitchen staff not even prepare a basi

pe!" I snapped, ripping the

s died instant

n't th

ds in his neck strained, his breathing labored and shallow. A light sheen of cold sweat glistened on his pale forehead, and beneath his hooded l

to steady him. But the crushing memory of w

ng a sharp, arrogant bite despite the obvious pain wracking

demand shattered whatever l

on't you call her back to take care of you? After all, it must have been her reckl

hit a r

ward, his large hand clamping around my forearm like an iron band. W

old, his grip bruising against my skin. "She doesn't carry my surname. She doesn't we

pure, unyielding cruelty, refusing

chose this position-so you do

orners of my eyes,

aw, blinking furiously, refusing to give him

cruel, how he could abandon me on our fifth wedding anniversary, and how easil

suffocating me, but they di

athing ragged as he fought to control the agonizing spasms in his side. Eve

l held power over me, a

renched my bruised forea

ered, my voice tremblin

y back on him, I walked swiftly down t

to simmer in the broth until they softened enough to puree. I added just enough manuka honey to soothe the inflammation, stirring until the consistency was completely smooth

cticed over five long years of

lain bowl, I carried the tray

s dark mahogany desk, leaning heavily against the leather chair. His eyes were half-cl

him, setting the glass of water and the two pills right beside it.

ers curling tightly in

ted for him to notice the exhaustion in my eyes, to say a single word of gratitude

ing only to the steam rising from

he murmured, his voice flat, emot

m sorry. No mention

the casual disregard one might show to a hired maid

wn on my chest until I

ut barely above a breath, razo

king up, his fingers reaching

cond before turning around and walking out of the study, t