During lunch, Ella decided to tell Xavier that his father had shown up.
"And what did you do?" he asked.
"I didn't let him in. I said you weren't home and that I didn't have permission to let anyone in."
"You did well."
"That's not everything. I turned off the intercom. He rang two or three times, but I simply ignored it."
Ella expected a reprimand for leaving her father-in-law waiting outside, but what Xavier asked next left her without words.
"Ella, I noticed you were terrified after talking and dancing with my father at our wedding. Why? Before you answer, I want you to tell the truth. Don't lie to me, not after I've entrusted my life to you."
After hearing this, Ella knew she couldn't make excuses. She needed to tell the truth, but she didn't know how. She began to tremble from
