Chapter 47 - A Sister's Delusion, A Mother's Defeat

Lady Beatrix's face drained of color as Alaric casually mentioned the timing of his marriage to me. We were standing in the parlor of my childhood home, the morning after the false duke's visit. Alaric had decided we should confront my stepmother directly, and I stood slightly behind him, watching her composure crumble.

"Married?" Lady Beatrix repeated, her voice barely above a whisper. "The same night Reginald died? That's impossible. The Baron never gave Isabella away."

Alaric's smile didn't reach his eyes. "Oh, but he did. First when he was begging for his life, and again when I visited your home."

I suppressed a shudder at the memory of that night – my father's callous willingness to trade me away, and Alaric's unexpected kindness afterward.

"You're lying," Lady Beatrix hissed, though uncertainty flickered across her face.

"Am I?" Alaric raised an eyebrow. "Perhaps you should have paid more attention to your husband's dealings."