g what remains of your family simply requires this. Her body shivered at the remembrance of his speech, but

her. She had given her future, her independence, away. On the altar of family obligation, she had of

er of forsaking all she had ever believed in. She considered what had she done? It was not intended

ow could one go back. She made a definitive decision. No rescue, no hero in shining armor

cked something deep inside her. One last time in the mirror, she gazed at herself looking for any

. It was stunning. Running her fingers along the cloth, Amaya felt the smoothness of

tterness and hopelessness raged. She had been thrown into a world she knew nothing about, one in which a man unconcerned ab

-feeling pride and sorrow. Though it didn't reach his eyes, he flashed her a little smile. Though his gesture

se. But you have done the correct thing. I shall always be thanksful for this. Guilt perm

ondered what she would say. Nothing could alter the cur

he officiant. Rylan stood next her, his tall body emanating strength and dominance, his hand tightly clutching her

the vows. His touch revealed no warmth or love. It was just a deal. A commercial agreement. She also understoo

eak and shaking. She refused to look at him. She had chosen,

d wife, but there was no time for sentiment. Once more, Rylan's hold

of Rylan. She struggled to think clearly and to breathe. This w

thing from loving. His eyes were as frigid as they had always been, and his look felt as weighty as a tangibl

either to him nor to another. Deep down, though, she knew she was connected to him whether o

ylan's coldness was like an impervious wall. It was overwhelming. He quieted himself. He didn't need to. Sharp and de

inute as his stature soared over hers. She could sense his eyes fixed on her, absorbing every inch of her body as th

rs, demanding, taking. There was just his severity; no gentleness or warmth. His kiss was more of a directive than a cares

ng away hers. With a low, dangerous voice, he sa

she was, connected to him by a bond she could not break. Her heart beating in her throat, her body burned

taken everything from her and yell. All she could do, though, was lie the

tively to when she first entered the room, the bed felt frigid. Though Rylan's body

unable to weep. not now. But the emptiness she experienced, a chasm she

his words, relentless and unrelenting:

serene. The harshness of the guy who had just seized her replaced a picture of someone w

uch, but she knew that no response would help to dull the scorching anguish in her chest. He had exhibited

e darkness. His eyes revealed no hostility, no rage; instead, they sh

unsettled her. "You're not asleep," he murmured, his voice

yell at him. She wanted to rant. But something in his

way from him, her rear to the man who had

thing delicate and perilous, the quiet between them was weighty. The coldness persisted, but f

..." His voice faded, but there was a f

her breath shallow, uncertain about whether she sho

hear: "I never wanted this life." "But occasionally... th

s armor cracked, and there was a glimpse of something vulnera

stand just as she opened her mouth to sa