Liana was the illegitimate daughter of a minor court official.
She knew the chasm between legitimate and illegitimate was a gulf that a child could never cross, from birth until death.
That was why she had cruelly sacrificed her own child, to frame me.
But what had shocked her was that Damien hadn’t even bothered to investigate before declaring me guilty.
She had thought that even if he wouldn’t grant her the title of his wife, his heart was still hers.
So she reached out and took his hand, her voice a soft, weak sob.
“Damien, my love, my lady is blessed by the heavens. She will surely be alright.”
Damien didn’t move. He stared at her, his eyes blazing.
“Get. Out.”
Liana thought she had misheard. She clutched his hand tighter.
“My love, don’t be so sad…”
“I said, get out!”
He ripped his hand from her grasp. “You are forbidden from ever setting foot in this wing again.”
Liana stumbled back and fell to the floor.
She stared at him in disbelief. “My lord, what have I done to anger you so? I don’t understand.”
“My lady is hurt. I am just as worried as you
“But even in our grief, we must take care
of
are.”
ourselves, must we not?”
Damien’s face was stone. He looked down at her with cold eyes.
TWO TOW
Tears streamed down her face, her expression a perfect portrait of misunderstood sorrow****** did
“I thought a hint would be enough for you to understand. I overestimated your intelligence.
“Did you really think I didn’t know how you lost the child in your belly?”
Liana’s face went deathly white. Her voice was a panicked whisper.
“My lord, I… I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“There must be some misunderstanding. Please, let me explain.”
She scrambled on her hands and knees toward him, but he kicked her away.
“Allowing you to use that child to frame Elara… was the single greatest regret of
my
life
He looked toward the door. “Guards! Take the Lady Liana away.”
“Confine her to her quarters to reflect. She is not to leave without my express permission.”
Several guards ran in and hauled Liana to her feet.
