The night was heavy with silence as Audrey and Adam returned to the estate. Neither spoke during the drive the weight of what they had witnessed at Axel's gala hanging between them like a storm cloud.
Audrey’s mind raced with images of Amelia… her eyes the flicker of pain the gilded cage of her bridal gown.
By the time they stepped into the house Audrey couldn’t bear the quiet anymore. She turned to Adam her chest heaving with unspoken frustration. “How could we just walk away like that?” she demanded her voice trembling.
Adam shut the door behind them his face hard but his eyes soft as they met hers. “We couldn’t risk making a scene there. Axel thrives on theatrics. He would have turned it into a trap.”
“But she’s trapped now!” Audrey’s voice broke and tears threatened to spill over.
