AllFreeNovel
Share Us
His words send a chill through me. Is that how he truly feels?
“Why can’t we just tell her the truth?”
“And that is?”
My heart breaks at that moment. He’s never going to admit that he has feelings for me. And maybe he doesn’t…
I pull out of his arms. “I should go to her house. Maybe I can explain before she tells Mother.”
“Baby girl—”
“It’s fine, Odin. I’m used to being the scapegoat. This won’t be any different.”
Except that I love Odin and that I might be pregnant with his child. I wipe at my eyes with the back of my hand.
“Can you have the car ready?”
“Of course.”
I freeze. “Odin, why didn’t anyone let us know that she had been let up?”
He looks away. “I don’t know.”
But that’s not true, because the guard let us know last time when she arrived. Why not this time? Unease creeps through me. And why did it feel like he already had an answer planned?We’ll say I was lonely, missing your mother. Odin still won’t meet my gaze. Was this done on purpose? Why?
My breath hitches. “Odin, please look at me.”
“You should go, Anna.”
Anna.
My stomach roils and I feel sick. This feels like a nightmare that I can’t wake up from. A nightmare of my own doing.
Ten minutes later, I’m seated in Grandmama’s formal living room, a clear sign that she’s upset. She still hasn’t entered, leaving me time to stew on what she may or may not have seen. Finally, she enters. And I know that she knows.
I stand. “Grandmama—”
“I don’t want to hear a word out of your vile mouth.” Grandmama looks me over. “How could you do this to our family? You disappoint me, Anna.”
How could I? As if I’m the only one who acted. I bite back a retort that will only earn me a punishment and wait to see what she’s going to say. I’ve looked up to this woman my entire life. Respected her when others have said horrible things. She’s been the one constant. And now? Now I’m getting to see why they called her the Ice Queen.
“You will go away until an appropriate match has been made. You will speak of this to no one, and you will most certainly not tell your mother the shame you’ve brought upon this family. Do you understand?”
“Yes, ma’am.” I answer, meeting her hard gaze. “Where will you send me?”
“I haven’t decided.” She waves her hand. “Get out of my sight.”
I’ve taken two steps when she stops me.
“Don’t even think about going back to your mother’s house. You will stay here until you leave.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
I’m trembling by the time I reach my old bedroom. Being here makes me feel young, stupid, and childish. I sit on the edge of my bed, willing myself not to cry. But then a thought hits me. I’m not a young, stupid child. I’m a grown woman and I don’t have to listen to her.
Opening the door, I make my way downstairs and to the elevator. Stepping in, I push the button for the lobby. Odin’s car is gone, but that’s fine. I’ll just walk. Ignoring the fact that I don’t have a coat, I walk to Odin’s building. The doorman looks surprised to see me. Maybe he didn’t think I’d be back. Well, he’s wrong, just like Grandmama and Odin are wrong. I have things to say, damnit.
Inside the penthouse, I find Odin in his study. He stills when I enter.
