Once Alaric and I were dressed and seated in the living room, the air fell into a dead silence once more.
Felicia finally spoke. Her gaze locked directly onto Alaric.
"We registered our marriage only 30 days ago."
"Tell me. When did you first begin having these thoughts about her? While I was planning our wedding and trusting you completely as we built a new home, had you already set your sights on my daughter?"
Felicia's questions laid bare the most painful truth.
Alaric's voice was steady and frank as he admitted it outright.
"Before the marriage."
The words made my entire body tremble. Felicia froze as well.
"I never married you because I loved you."
His eyes remained calm and unflinching.
"It was a suitable match. A responsibility. What our elders expected. The kind of comple
