Ninety-Nine Engagements, One Betrayal

oks

t a di

e, the part that had grown accustomed to her dramatic pronouncements, dismissed it as another one of her playful exaggeratio

smile playing on my lips. "You're tired, you

olve that had replaced her usual effervescence. But I was so used to her being a whirlwind, a f

with silly drawings and declarations of affection. She would plan elaborate surprises, meticulously researching my preferences. She would talk for hours about her day,

fe. I had taken it for granted, like the air I breathed. I had convinced myself that

ooks," she said, her voice su

esture. "Let's talk about this in th

missed he

quiet. Terribly, unsettlingly quiet. She moved through the house like a ghost, her usual vibrant energy replaced by

y patriarch had somehow gotten wind of Everleigh's escapades, her "

of bed, pulling on a robe, and headed downstairs. Everleigh was on her knees in the

amily!" he roared. "It's already arranged! You wil

, her face stained with tears. "I

ase," I interjected, stepping forward.

ctable husband! And you, you fool, what about you

ng her with my body. The sharp crack of Grandfather's cane against my back echoed through

st. "Brooks! You shouldn't have! Oh, my poor Brooks!" She kissed my

this disgusting display! Brooks, what

s. Dayna stood there, a silent observer, her face ashen. Our ey

betraying none of the turmoil inside me. S

ow whisper. "Did you tell him?" My hand c

widening in shock. "Wha

"Dayna and I are perfectly happy. She understands the... delicate situat

to remind everyone that Dayna was my wife. But as my lips met hers, I felt a flicker of somethi

pulled back, her eyes were cold, distant. She looked at

your sister?" she sneered, h

eyes darted to Everleigh, who was now watching us, her fa

arder this time. It wasn't gentle. It was a desperate, possessive act. A declar

held her tighter. I wasn't gentle. I couldn't be. Not w

married was a performance. And for Everleigh, for her fragile sanity, for her place in thi