ed was the faint tinkling of ice in forgotten drinks and the sound of my own harsh b

trolled fury. He was the king in his castle, an

Gregoria,"

now playing the victim, tears welling in her eyes, h

ng for him with her free hand.

n to the red dress she was wearing, and for a fraction of a second, I saw so

n softening into one of concern. "Are you hurt?" he

that anyone watching would see only

e had been so blatant, so reckle

tumbled back, collapsing again

ice as he addressed Elyssa. He pushed her away slightly,

ello," Elyssa stammered. "

bage," another woman from the crowd

He looked at me, a sile

in," Elyssa cried. "I w

focus entirely on

him, my silence

, his voice lethal. He wasn't looki

as not how this was supposed to go. "But...

his grip on her shoulders

r off before she

was throwing her to the wolves to protect his image. To prot

ity guard, finally releasing her. "And make sure she un

g like a fish. The shock on her face was real. She

, his face etched with regret. "My sincerest apologies fo

m around my shoulders. "Let's go home," he m

is hand trembling slightly against my back. He wasn't

headlines the next morning were

Defends Wife, Fires A

ry: Mcintosh Pro

perfect, protective husband. I was the

comments online, a cold, humorless s

d gone to his study after we got home, claiming he had to de

of light shone from under the door of the adjoining p

othing. Hers was high

my ear t

d! You threw me awa

ent, condescending. "She was suspicious. You were bein

ed her

ped. "Now be quiet. I'll take care of you. I'll set you

ur special place. The pl

our sanctuary

out her?" El

rwin's voice, soft and chilling. "Don't

of them moving around, the low murmur of their voices. He was comforting her.

tiny pieces. It wasn't just the affair. It was the depth of the deception. The

faking my death. The plan had once

elt like

gent. And Darwin Mcintosh had no idea who he