a pin drop. This was the first time

rk, mottled red. "What did

t have any more children. Because I am

he room erupted in sho

he crystal glasses rattling. "There are no divorces

housekeeper. "Mrs.

em held a long, thick rattan cane. The Reeves family

forward, their faces aligh

oluntary tremor ran through her. Bu

ine's and Caleb's eager faces. Then, with the w

ose to

expression. She knelt on the cold marble like a statu

d at her, her

pped it, the tip tapping against the marbl

, step by step, a

more time. Div

p at her and

me down wit

ne struck, the dining room door

wall, the echo rattling the

Reeves s

ie loosened, looking tired - but the moment

eling on the floor, Matilda holding

to

ife you married! She dared to talk back to me, and she sa

ally back! Look at her! She talked back

inger at Inez. "Dominic! Toni

ke control, to coldly hand Inez

did

hem all into silence for

mother, and stopped beside Inez. Withou

hed, he slowly lowered

lt bes

s hitting the marble

rieked. "Are you insan

dy rigid. "You... for this woman... you're de

rned his head and looked at Inez, his voice l

, get

im. At her husband,

ntic gesture - a husband protecting his wife. The shock

ng. Nothing but a v

remembered what Matilda me

he news of her pregnancy, he had knelt just like

make him marry Inez. To let him go

er woman. This time, he knelt

A performanc

d away, her gaze returning

dn't g

spoke, her voice devoid of any warmth. "Matilda

call her

d. He stared at her, his cold mask finally

gone this far in public. Why

that she almost choked. But seeing her favored gra

heaving. "Fine! Both of you, s

ury, and let Mrs. Miller

ing venomous glares at Inez. Cale

st dining ro

y side on the cold, polished floor. Two sep