eved silence could

as punishment. Every corner of the house w

s clutched the edge of the curtain like it was a lifeline. It was only her second day

creaked b

tu

bows, veins sharp against his forearms. He looked less like a busi

d breakfast

n't hu

sn't gentle, but it wasn't cru

said, chin lifted. "You don

but I paid for your time. And you

ut control? I signed that contract to save

His scent-clean soap, pine, and someth

ed into, Lia," he said, voice low. "This isn't

ou tell yourself when you buy women l

darkened.

hiding behind all this power? You bought a wife

ung between th

is mask slipped

omething-pain, guilt, maybe

al tomorrow. A private nurse will meet you there.

ightened. "

d, voice turning cold. "

the hospital staff greeted her with warm smiles and no questions.

ged her

ha said, teasing. "Li

dn't reach her eyes.

good

d. "He's...

some and rich but emo

ely this time. "Yo

"Just be careful, Lia. I know you did this

d. "I'll

he wasn't sure s

rary. He didn't look up when she entered-just si

she said softly

nod

le

sked. "Out of all the women who proba

at her. "Because

blin

and didn't flinch. You were despera

o you want

glass. "To burn

But something about the way he s

pas

halls, occasional trips to check on Sasha. Cain remained distant, un

was shifting

race as she watered the plants. Not with lust, but

not bothering to

't act like a woman w

she said. "I married

she's safe, wh

dead in the e

ed. "You'll leave

not a

're a wolf. I can see it. You just d

back down. "Then maybe you sh

of hair from her cheek. She froze-not because of th

o hurt you, Lia

ting me like so

"Go to bed. We'l

ey nev

to screams echoing

he

i

bedroom was ajar. Inside, Cain thrashed in bed, soaked in sweat. H

hispered, ste

eyes wild, claws

o

art st

n her throat. But then-he saw her.

t," he

ove. She stepped

ou

finished. "N

ly. "You're broken.

time, he sa

and rough: "You

he di

st