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“What do you mean by that?”

I had to get Étienne away from this room. Because what if he decided to look around? What if he saw that the door to the basement was cracked open?

What if he found Mano?

Not until I had a chance to find out the truth.

I edged closer to the door, but he was in between me and the outside in a moment, looming over me.

My heart beat, but not from love or excitement that he’d changed his mind. From anxiety that Étienne would see the open door, that he’d go down to the basement.

That he would stop me from finding out who had turned my life upside-down.

“Maybe he’s around the grounds somewhere,” I said, attempting to step around my husband. “Nasty creep like him probably goes around looking in the windows.”

Étienne’s brows drew together, and he put a hand on my arm, his palm curling around my elbow, each finger hard and heated and digging into my skin.

“Why would you say that?”

“No reason.”

I tried to shake him off and it pissed me off that I couldn’t easily do it.

“What are you saying about Mano?”

“What do you care? According to you, we were sleeping together.”

Now Étienne looked even angrier. Stood even closer.

“What else was I supposed to believe when I came in the door and saw you in his arms? Half-dressed?”

“I don’t know, maybe you should have believed your wife, who you know damn well never cheated on you.”

Something worked in my husband’s throat, a muscle that throbbed with a singular intensity.

“Answer the question, Léonie. Has he been harassing you?”

“No.”

“Are you lying to me?”

I turned away, wrenching my arm out of his grip.

“I’m not talking to you anymore.”

I crossed my arms protectively over my belly. Baby boy was active today, punching my ribs, kicking my bladder. God, I needed to pee.

“If—Mano has been improper toward you, trust that he will be punished.”

I said nothing. Because I had no faith in him or his promises.

“Well, Mano isn’t here,” I bit out. “You can go now.”

“Look at me, Léonie.”

When I didn’t obey, Étienne took my chin in his hands, and forced me to face him.

“Come in the kitchen. Tilly and Armand will leave.”