heir dance was gone within an instant, exchanged for a look of icy indifference. They stepped out of the ballroom, away from the crowd, and into a quiet

l of venom. "You managed to marry me, but don't f

t this was different-he said it all. On their wedding day, too. A sick feeling was in her belly as tea

ed, his eyes dark and unfeelin

ightmare. Sabrina couldn't look up. She kept her head down, the tight chest squeezing the pain through her as she tried to hold onto her tears. She couldn't breathe. Tears fell hard beneath her eyelids; she couldn't hide the

hat, he let go of her arm and walked away w

destruction. After the ceremony, Benedict could hardly stay until he carried out the obligatory greetings. Just after the reception ended, he simply got up and left without a word from the house. Sabrina did not know where he was head

morning and, just because they were saying 'I do', suddenly fall in love with her? She knew Benedict was cruel, but the coldness in his eyes earlier was the worst of it.How long did the night drag on before he returned?No response.It wasn't until early morning hours when she heard the slamming of the front door that Sabrina's heart had racing. Her mind, i

, look at that," he slurred, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "My lovely

wasn't the Benedict she had once adored. The man i

king his arm free from her reach when she had instinctivel

d flowing over her again. It was as if every word was a thorn that

h disgust. "You think you have the right now to mother me becau

the tears at bay once more. "I'm not

ng down at her. "You think just because we are married now, everything's g

voice shaking. "I have loved you for years, Ben

You don't even know me, Sabrina. You fell in love with som

with tears. Every tear felt like a release, carrying the burden of her hear

es. "Well, I don't love you," he said, his voice spiky and serrated. "And

r courage. "I don't expect you to love me right away," s

he drew closer to her. "There's nothing to tr

face was inches from hers, and for an i

a harsh line, and the next

a," he told her harshly. "And the s

'd hoped-prayed-maybe things'll get better after the wedding. But now she knew. This is her life now. A marriage built on pain and rejection.Without a word, Benedict turned an