E POV


    )


    Sophia looked at me like I’d just pissed all over her expensive shoes, even though it wasn’t my fault that Alexander had cut their night short. After the day I’d just had, I didn’t want to look at him anymore.


    “But-” Sophia began in a whining voice, only to be cut off by Alexander.


    “There will be other nights, Sophia.” Alexander pushed away from the wall where he was leaning and guided her to the door. “Go to bed. Or don’t. You’re an adult. Just leave me so I can speak to my wife.”


    Sophia made a little sound of displeasure, but left anyway. She gave me onest malicious nce before she slipped out of the banquet hall and disappeared with a whiff of floral perfume.


    Once Sophia was gone, Alexander took me by the arm and led me away from the prying ears of the staff who were currently cleaning up the banquet. We received a few sidelong nces, and I knew there would be a bit of gossip tonight about our odd behavior at the banquet, but right now I didn’t care.


    We made our way down the hall and to a small sitting room with a few chairs and a chess table. It had to have been used by some guests for smoking cigars during the banquet, because the air smelled like smoke. Alexander gestured for me to enter and I stepped inside, but I didn’t sit down.


    Finally, once the door was shut and we were truly alone, he turned to look at me. “Do you really want to go through with the divorce?”


    I bristled a little, trying not to show my excitement. Had Alexander decided to help me after all? I had hardly dared to hope that my efforts might pay off in the span of a single day, but I couldn’t help but feel relieved.


    “Yes,” I said, folding my hands in front of me. “I want a divorce.”


    Alexander looked at me for a moment, and my hope began to gutter out. I tried to keep my expression calm, but it wasn’t easy when he was staring at me like that.


    “And did your father say he would pay up what is owed when you spoke to him?”


    There was no hiding my reaction to that; my conversation with my father had been nothing short of devastating, and I should have known that Alexander wasn’t a charitable man. If there was no money, then there was no divorce.


    I dropped my gaze, and that seemed to be all the answer Alexander needed. He huffed.


    “I see. Well, it’s no wonder you started deliberately trying to make me dislike you. Your old lover is back, and since daddy dearest doesn’t want to pay your way out of our marriage, you think you can manipte me into ending our contract without repercussions.”


    I jerked my gaze up, incredulous. “You think Liam and I—”


    “Ah, but I didn’t even mention his name. Now I know the truth: you and Liam are having an affair, aren’t you?”


    For a long moment, I just stared at him in shock. I couldn’t believe what Alexander was saying; he actually thought that I was in love with Liam, the boy I hadn’t seen since grade school?


    “Just say it, E.” Alexander’s voice carried a strangely bitter edge as he leaned against the back of a nearby loveseat, folding his arms across his chest. “Tell me you’re sleeping with him. I won’t be mad-just disappointed.”


    I couldn’t help butugh. Not a chuckle, not a snort, but a full-belliedugh with my head thrown back. But there was no humor in the sound.


    Was he jealous, or just being sarcastic? Either way, it didn’t matter; his words stung deep, like tiny needles piercing my heart.


    After five years of marriage, five years of trying to be everything he wanted, all he could do was just look at me like I was some kind of scheming witch set out to hurt him.


    All I wanted was to not fucking die, and yet he was making up imaginary betrayals-using me of having sex with a childhood friend who I hadn’t seen in over a decade. He would rather do that than just listen to me and help me cure my dormant wolf.


    But no. It was somehow easier for him to assume I was a lying, conniving, phndering piece of shit rather than a woman who didn’t want to die at twenty-fucking-two.


    My heart ckened and curled in on itself at that moment. Suddenly, what little emotion I had left for Alexander was nothing but ash.


    When I had first noticed Alexander’s possessiveness over Liam, a small part of me had wanted to exin myself to him, to make him feel better and not jealous. As if I were still the good wife I had spent five years trying to be: the type of wife who would never intentionally make her husband feel insecure.


    But now…


    Now, I didn’t care if he thought I was having an affair. If it would sooner lead to our divorce, then all the better.


    So I just shrugged and crossed my arms. I didn’t confirm it, but I also didn’t deny it. Let him think what he wanted to think. The fantasies he made up in his own head were on him, not me.


    Alexander’s green eyes shed, and for a moment, I thought he might blow his lid. But surprisingly, his voice was steady and calm when he spoke again.


    “Well, we’re stuck together now, whether we like it or not. We can’t go having a divorce scandal during my election campaign. So I’ll make you an offer.”


    I tilted my head, intrigued. “What are you offering?”


    “Remain by my side for the six months of my election campaign, then three more after that—to create an image of stability. Then I’ll divorce you and reject you, just like you want me to.”


    I stared at him, almost wondering if he was the one who was bluffing now, but I saw no lie in his eyes. Just frustration and maybe even a hint of resignation.


    Nine months… I had enough time. I would still have three months to spare before my death. I’d just have to spend another nine months with Alexander, and then I would be free-and I would live.


    “Very well,” I said, drawing myself up to my full height. “Draw up the contract and I’ll sign it.”


    Alexander’s face ckened for a moment as if he hadn’t been expecting me to ept so easily, but I didn’t care. I was exhausted and emotionally drained and just wanted to go to my room. It had been a long day, and I had another long nine months ahead of me, and I just needed to rest.


    But as I turned to leave, once again, Alexander stopped me with a hand around my wrist.


    “Where are you going?”


    “To my room.”


    He snorted. “Down the hall from your old lover? Eager to get back to him, I see.”


    I sighed and turned to him, exasperated. Alexander pulled me closer, his voice dropping to a husky whisper.


    “But maybe, since you seemed to like my room so much earlier today, then you should stay there tonight.”