I_Nana_Firdausi

"If he loved Critic Arley so much he should have stayed," she bit out, her ocean-blue eyes gleaming with unshed tears.
She missed him.
* 
Lordess Theodore is a duet, book 2 of 'The Gooseberry Duet’ but can be read as a stand-alone'
This Book 1 is titled: ‘Lord Theodore’s Favorite Ritual.’

You could read it as a standalone but there are 300 chapters before this, so...

PS: The first book is a bit of a slow burn love, sex and being a hated rich lady worshipped by her husband while this book two is filled with endless drama, mysteries, hilarious faceslapping and finally pain.
*
Lydia's life turns upside down when a violent confrontation with her father leads to the tragic death of her husband. Fleeing from her past, Lydia and her estranged sister, Helena, find themselves lost in a dangerous, uncharted forest. Desperate to escape, they set off on a perilous journey to return to their city, Critic-Arley, only to discover their once-grand mansion has been overtaken by dark forces.
With nowhere else to turn, Lydia seeks refuge in the royal castle, where she becomes entangled in a web of palace intrigue and dangerous desires. As the king's attention turns toward her, Lydia must navigate the treacherous politics of court life while grappling with her own grief and the haunting memories of her lost love.
Determined to reclaim her life, Lydia transforms herself from a grieving widow into a powerful, respected figure in Critic-Arley. She steps into the social scene with a newfound grace and elegance, capturing the attention of all who see her. But beneath her poised exterior, Lydia is tormented by the past and the mysterious circumstances surrounding her husband's death.
Just when she begins to find her footing, Lydia's world is shaken by the return of Theodore—a man who bears an uncanny resemblance to her late husband but has no memory of their love. As secrets unravel and old enemies resurface, Lydia must uncover the truth behind Theodore's return and confront the dark forces that threaten to destroy everything she holds dear.
In a tale of love, betrayal, and redemption, Lydia must find the strength to fight for her future and rediscover the love that was once lost to time.

….

Lordess Theodore

The afternoon sun hung low in the sky, casting long, eerie shadows as the carriage carrying Lydia and Helena made its slow approach toward Critic Arley. After a week of journeying, they were finally nearing home, but the city that welcomed them now was far from the lively, vibrant place they remembered.

Helena, her eyes tired but alert, leaned closer to the window, frowning as she took in the unsettling quiet of the streets. "It's… strange, isn't it?" she murmured, almost as if speaking any louder would disturb whatever fragile balance lay over the city.

Lydia, her face softening at the sight of familiar streets, turned to her sister. "Strange?" she asked, but her mind was elsewhere.

The thought of seeing her husband, Theodore, after so long filled her heart with warmth. She could already imagine his embrace, the sound of his voice, the look in his eyes when he saw her again.

Arrival at the Mansion