Chapter 45 - The First Thread of Jealousy

Back at the Hellgrave estate, Verbena couldn't shake the image of Estella lurking in the garden like some tragic heroine desperate to cling to her imaginary love story.

Sitting at her vanity, she untangled her earrings while Theodore stood behind her, removing his cravat. Their reflection in the mirror was oddly... domestic.

"She's been in love with you for a long time, hasn't she?" Verbena's voice was light, but her eyes betrayed her unease.

Theodore paused, then walked over to her side. "It doesn't matter how long. My feelings for her never existed."

Verbena's fingers paused on her jewelry box. "Still... you married me out of duty, not love. If you had to choose freely, would it have been her?"

Theodore's brows shot up, as if the very idea offended him. "No. Never." He knelt beside her, taking her hand in his. "If I had a choice back then... I would have still chosen you."

Verbena's heart skipped. This man, who rarely offered flowery words, said things like this so easily it left her flustered.

"I-I see." She tried to sound casual, but her ears burned.

Theodore's thumb traced circles on her wrist. "Don't let Estella get in your head. She's a distraction, nothing more."

Verbena bit her lip. "It's not just her. I guess I'm still adjusting. Being your wife... it still feels a little unreal sometimes."

Theodore stood, leaning down to press a kiss to the top of her head. "You're my wife. Real or unreal — I won't let anyone replace you."

Her heart flipped again, and she realized her 'divorce plan' might be harder to cling to than she thought.

End of chapter