“You love me?” I echoed his words, my voice barely above a whisper.
He grasped my arm and held my gaze. “I’m jealous… because I love you.”
“Viel—”
His grip loosened at the sound of Matilda’s voice, and I froze, rooted to the spot. Viel turned toward her.
“What are you doing here?” he asked, his tone sharp.
I turned my back, refusing to see Matilda’s expression.
“I’m with Bea. She wants to go to the ocean park with you,” Matilda said.
“I can’t. I have too much work.”
“Work? Or are you just avoiding her?”
I clenched the hem of my dress so tightly my knuckles ached. I wanted to walk away, but my feet refused to obey.
“Don’t act like you still have a claim on me,” Viel snapped, irritation clear in his voice.
“I do have a claim. I’m still your wife,” Matilda said, my voice trembling.
