AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"You were one not too long ago."
I shake my head. "You don’t get to diminish me. I know what I’m doing."
"Do you?"
"I do. I knew what I was taking on when I left home and moved to a new city. I knew what I was doing when I agreed to marry you."
"You didn’t have a choice."
"I could have refused you and my father. I could have walked out."
"But you didn’t."
"That’s right." I straighten my spine. "I chose the tough route, because it was my responsibility to help my father. I don’t shirk my duties."
"So that’s what this is?" He looks me up and down. "You want to sacrifice yourself at the altar of my depravity because you want to live up to the duty of being my wife."
"Yes." I tip up my chin. "I won’t shirk from my obligations."
"You have no obligation toward me."
"How can you say that? I am your wife."
"And I will not corrupt you further."
34
Edward
"Why are you not with your wife?" Arthur frowns.
"Because I didn’t want to miss poker night." I focus on my cards, while well aware of the suspicion in his eyes.
I’m not doing a good job of playing the newly-married husband desperately in love with his bride. In fact, I’m screwing up my role so badly, even my grandfather believes something is wrong.
"For a man enjoying post marital bliss, you seem strung tightly," Knox drawls.
Asswipe is trying to get another response from me, and this time, I will not give in to him.
I accompanied Belle to the door of the townhouse, made sure she was in safely, then instructed my housekeeper to cook dinner for her. I had no interest in the poker game, but I did want to see my grandfather face-to-face. He still hasn’t confirmed me as CEO, even though I'm in charge of all the key decisions of the company. I'm not going to bring it up with him, of course. I'm more strategic than that.
It’s why I asked Sinclair to invite Arthur and Knox for his weekly poker night. Our mutual friends who’d normally attend are out of town. It's the perfect opportunity to get facetime with the old man, without asking for a meeting. As for inviting Knox? It's a chance to demonstrate I don't hold a grudge.
I hoped to get a reading on my grandfather. But from what I’m seeing, he’s not very happy with me.
"I’m taking my wife on our honeymoon over Christmas," I declare.
"You are?" Arthur looks up from his cards.
"I have a property in Cornwall. Very picturesque and isolated…and romantic. The perfect way to spend Christmas."
Arthur’s features relax. "That sounds like the ideal getaway."
"It is."
"I’m pleased you’re taking your duties as a husband seriously. If the wife’s happy, everything else in your life will fall in order." He nods.
I incline my head to show I agree with him.
