a's

n was no longer there. The butler stepped into the grand dining room with a composed expression, his

s. The air in the room instantly grew heavy, like a storm about to break. My husband had

n't falter. Instead, he led her inside as if he owned the place, as if my presence meant nothing. I didn't n

t the sight of them together. It was the betrayal, the humiliation, the sheer lack of respect he h

ward the bathroom as my vision blurred. My stomach twisted, and the moment I r

he edge of the sink, willing myself to breathe, to calm

h your dinner? The Maste

d in the mirror, my reflection stared back, pale and exhausted. I had to be strong. If

d, all conversation ceased. Adrian sat beside Sapphire, his expression , while his father, Charles, sat at

es's deep voice broke t

re straight despite the unease swirling inside me.

aughter-in-law," he declared, his sharp eyes fl

marriage, this whole arrangement- it's suffocating me. I was forced to break up with Sapph

"Adrian has suffered enough, Mr. Calloway. It's cruel to keep him in a

nded in my chest. She was actually speaking about love, in

control yourself. You think life is about running after your emotions? You were given

as something in his expression- judgment, disappointment,

om Davis? You mean live like a robot, following orders wit

tands what it means to love someone so deeply and be torn apart, Adrian. It's not your fault.

you know what love is, Sapphire. Love isn't sneaking around with a ma

"And yet, here we are. Maybe you should ask

"Now, now. Let's not fight at the table. There's no need to ruin our evening." She glanced to

t she was doing. She was redirecting the conversation, shifti

the dinner, sighed, taking a sip from his wi

hame! A man like you, successful and responsib

but his expression remained impassive. He si

s, Mother, keep dreaming. Davis won't

"Well, I still hope for the da

e, yet here they were, talking about another one as if mine no longer

"Isla, you don't need to worry about anything. This is your home.

my husband sat beside his mistress, not when his mother complained about my inability to give

e, nodding. "Th

. "Of course. Because what Isla wants is all that

down, Adrian. You will not wal

ightened, his fingers clenching into fists. But then, with a long

n Sapphire, for all her smugness, finally seemed to realiz

in. I would en