Chapter 3
The sting on my lips made me shove him away.[]
But anger was burning through me too.[]
All I’d done was have a simple conversation with Cassian.[]
Meanwhile, he was parading Nina around like she belonged here. What right did he have to demand anything from me?
“What gives you the right?” Ice dripped from every word.]]
Victor’s head snapped up, those dark eyes boring into mine like twin storms.]
“Because you’re mine.”
I scoffed. “No, I’m not. Nina’s your woman.“[]
The audacity–he actually laughed, his usually granite expression melting into something almost tender.
“Mrs. Hollingsworth… you’re jealous.“]
I shoved him harder, hating how petty I sounded even to myself.[]
“Get rid of them. Both of them.“]
The air between us turned arctic.]
Victor’s smile died instantly, and suddenly that brief moment of warmth felt like a cruel joke.
“Madeline,” he yanked at his tie, exhaling like I was some exhausting burden, “she’s not a threat to you.“]
“Besides, Tilly’s my daughter I won’t abandon her.“[]
I stared out at the city blurring past, rain starting to streak the windows like tears I refused to shed.[]
“I never tried to stop you from being her father.“[]
Victor was looking at me like I was some unhinged child throwing a tantrum.]
“Nina spent five years raising our kid alone overseas. I owe her that much.“[]
Something twisted brutally in my chest.]
“So you’re telling me I just have to smile and take it while she waltzes through my life?”
Victor’s hands found my face, turning me toward him.
His thumb brushed over my eyes, which I knew were probably red–rimmed by now.[]
“I need you to understand me here. Whatever’s going on with them, you’re my only wife.“[]
His non–answer was like a slap. All that careful deflection, that protective instinct–none of it was for me.[]
Something inside me just… shattered.]
Everything I’d given him, every moment I’d been real with him–it all felt like such a waste.
My phone buzzed. Unknown number.
Wife in Name to You Queen In Heart to Your Rius)
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“Miss Shaw, Victor and I realize we handled today poorly. My apologie
The photo attachment made my blood run cold: Victor in moonlight, Tilly in his arms, Nina beside them looking like the perfect little family.[]
My vision went white–hot.]]
It was manipulative as hell, but God, it worked.[]
I hurled the phone at him.[]
“Looks like I’m the other woman in this marriage, doesn’t it?“[]
Victor caught the phone, glanced at the screen, and immediately went into damage control mode.
“She’s just trying to apologize because she thought you might be upset.“]]
I laughed, but it came out jagged and bitter.
“Victor Hollingsworth, are you actually this dense, or are you just playing dumb? Do I need to catch you two in bed before you’ll admit what’s happening?”
“Madeline,” his voice dropped to that dangerous register, “watch yourself. Nina and I haven’t crossed any lines.“[]
Another laugh ripped out of me, this one edged with something that might have been a
sob.
“Haven’t crossed lines?“]]
“What, only counts if you’re actually naked?“]
-6
The car went dead silent. Victor’s eyes had gone arctic, colder than I’d ever seen them.
NM
“Madeline Shaw, you’re Mrs. Hollingsworth. Start acting like it instead of being so petty!”
I couldn’t breathe. The garden in my heart that had bloomed for this man turned to ash in an instant.[]
My eyes burned as I fought back the breakdown clawing at my throat.]]
“I’m being petty? Really?“]]
“If I were petty, I’d have thrown them out that first night! Would she have gotten the chance to send me photos of you two playing house?“[]
“If I were petty, my family would’ve made her disappear the second your cozy little photos went viral!“]
My voice cracked on the last word, all that hurt I’d been swallowing finally spilling over.
It was like being stabbed with a blade wrapped in silk–everyone saw the pretty fabric while I bled from the knife.
Victor looked like I’d sucker–punched him, his eyes finally focusing on my tear–bright face.[]
“I didn’t realize–“[
I turned away and rolled down the window.[]
The rain hit my face like tiny, cold slaps, washing away the tears I was too proud to acknowledge.[]
“You know why my parents named me Madeline?” My voice was hollow now, all the fight drained out of it.[]
“Because they said I was the only one they’d ever love completely. Their one and only.”
I dragged in a shaky breath, rebuilding my armor piece by piece.
“So if all I am to you is some convenient wife you can sideline whenever your real family shows up, then we’re done. I’m done.“[]
Victor’s face went white. For the first time, I saw something like panic crack through that perfect control.
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Chapter 3
He reached for me desperately. “No. Please, no. I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.“[]
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