Chapter 25: Trapped Between His Arms

Verbena sat in the sunny garden, pretending to read a book. In reality, her mind was a whirlwind of confusion and… feelings. Theodore had been acting strange lately — kinder, softer, yet still intimidatingly sharp. And worst of all, her heart kept racing every time their eyes met. This wasn't part of the plan! She was supposed to divorce him, not develop a ridiculous crush on him.

"Focus, Verbena!" she scolded herself, clutching the book tighter. But the words blurred, replaced by the memory of last night when Theodore had casually tucked a loose strand of her hair behind her ear. Just that simple touch had her nearly combusting on the spot.

Her daydream was rudely interrupted by loud whispers from the garden wall.

"I heard from my maid — you know, the one who's friends with the maid at the Hellgrave Duchy. They say the Duke and Duchess are in love! Can you believe it?"

"No way! The villain Duke? In love?"

"And with his own wife, of all people! They say he's been spoiling her lately — flowers, private dinners, even sending away his aides just to spend time alone with her!"

Verbena's face flamed. What nonsense! Spoiling her? More like tormenting her with his unpredictable kindness! She was about to storm over and tell them off when a shadow fell over her.

Theodore stood there, arms crossed, a slow smirk curling his lips. "Eavesdropping on gossip, my dear wife?"

"I-I was not!" Verbena leapt up, nearly tripping over her dress. "I was reading!"

Theodore stepped closer, his height casting her in shadow. "Reading upside down?"

She glanced at her book — sure enough, it was upside down. Curse my luck!

Before she could stammer an excuse, Theodore took her hand. "Since you've been so interested in gossip, shall we give them something real to talk about?"

"H-huh?"

In one swift move, he pulled her against him, arms circling her waist. His scent, dark and spicy, filled her nose. Her hands landed on his chest, the warmth of his body bleeding through his shirt.

"You've been avoiding me lately," Theodore said, voice low. "Why?"

Verbena's brain short-circuited. Avoiding him? Wasn't that the whole point of her plans? And yet… her traitorous heart skipped a beat at his closeness. "N-no reason! I've just been… busy!"

"With what?" His fingers brushed her lower back, making her shiver.

"Reading! Practicing embroidery! Avoiding heartbreak!" The last part slipped out before she could stop herself.

Theodore blinked, then his smirk softened into something almost tender. "Heartbreak? From me?"

Verbena wanted to crawl into a hole. "Forget I said anything!" She tried to step back, but his grip tightened.

"I could never forget anything about you," he murmured.

Her breath hitched. "You're lying."

"Am I?"

He leaned closer, his lips just a breath away from hers. Verbena's heart hammered so loudly, she was sure the gossiping nobles could hear it from the other side of the wall. Her eyes fluttered shut—

And then, "Duchess! Your afternoon tea is ready!" The head maid's voice shattered the moment like glass.

Theodore sighed, stepping back just enough to let Verbena breathe, but not enough to let her go. His fingers lingered at her waist before finally releasing her.

Verbena practically fled, face burning, leaving Theodore alone in the garden. But not before the head maid caught her wide-eyed, breathless expression — and smiled knowingly.

Theodore watched her retreat, his smirk returning. "Running away again, Verbena? Let's see how long you can keep that up."

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End of chapter 25