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    “May I ask what exactly you’re apologizing for?” Emery said.


    “For taking your husband on your wedding night.” Alina replied. “I realize <b>it </b>was inappropriate. But… the servants mentioned your grandmother was upset. I only wanted to exin. I didn’t want you to get the wrong idea.”


    “Taking my husband? On my wedding night?” Emery repeated. She blinked, unsure how to respond to that.


    “I—” Alina hesitated, her gaze dropping. “I can’t imagine how upsetting it must have been. But Logan had obligations, and I’m sorry for taking his time. Especially on your first night as a married couple.”


    Emery let out a short breath, more amused than anything. She tilted her head slightly. “What makes you think I needed an apology?”


    Alina looked up. “Pardon?”


    “What makes you think him leaving after the wedding upsets me?” Emery lifted an eyebrow before she smiled. “Aren’t you thinking too much about everything else?”


    “I-” Alina hesitated. She wasn’t sure what to say next. For a moment, she had genuinely expected Emery to snap after she pointed out that Logan had been with her the previous night. Technically, they hadn’t been alone, but she hadn’t bothered to rify that. She let Emery draw her own conclusions.


    Alina shifted in her seat, the bottle of water still unopened in her hand.


    “It’s my fault the servants are gossiping,” she said. “If I hadn’t called Loganst night, he wouldn’t have left. I want to apologize. I didn’t think it would be a topic of conversation, especially with your family still here.”


    Emery gave a short chuckle. “Are you trying to say something?”


    Alina looked at her. “No. I only meant to apologize if I embarrassed you.”


    “I’m not embarrassed.” Emery said simply. “And if you want to call him every night, go ahead. I wouldn’t mind.”


    Alina blinked, surprised.


    “In fact,” Emery added, leaning back slightly, “I’d prefer it if you did. It might actually give me some peace and quiet.”


    She offered Alina a smile. It wasn’t forced. Just honest.


    Alina didn’t reply right away, and Emery didn’t feel the need to fill the silence.


    Inwardly, she thought about how annoying Logan could be. Always reminding her that this marriage would benefit them both. Always trying to justify it like it was some brilliant, mutual arrangement. She also didn’t like the way he looked at her sometimes. It wasn’t affection. It wasn’t admiration. It was something else.”


    12:33 Thu, Sep 11 <b>B </b>


    Pity.


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    It was the way he looked at her–like he felt sorry for her. Like marrying her was some kind of burden he had agreed to carry.


    She hated that.


    Maybe he truly cared about the child. She could believe that. But this marriage? That was all it was. A structure. A deal. Nothing more. She didn’t care that he left, not really. What bothered her was how it would look. How it would stir things with her family. That was the part that irritated her.


    And now this–another woman sitting here, iming she was the reason Logan disappearedst night?


    What bullshit.


    Emery stood up. “I don’t think there’s anything left for us to discuss,” she said tly. “In the future, there’s no need to apologize for taking my husband on our wedding night. No need to inform me either. Let the servants gossip all they want–I don’t care.”


    She nced down at Alina.


    “But let’s stop pretending. I don’t like games. And you shouldn’t push me into ying them.”


    “Emery… that’s not what I meant. Please don’t misunderstand. Logan and I-” Alina paused, her eyes flicking to the door behind Emery.


    Right on cue, it opened.


    Logan stepped inside. “Seems I’m interrupting something important.”


    He looked between the two of them. His gazended on Alina, then shifted to Emery. She hadn’t even moved from her spot.


    “I believe I heard my name,” he said. “Dearest sister?”


    “Logan-”


    Before she could say more, Emery rolled her eyes and turned slightly toward him.


    “Your sister was apologizing,” Emery said. “For taking you away on our wedding night and causing a wave of servant gossip in the process. I told her there was no need. She’s free to steal you any night she wants. I don’t mind. No need for future updates either.”


    Logan’s eyes shifted immediately to Alina. She stood up slowly, brushing her dress smooth as she turned toward him.


    “I didn’t say that,” she said. “I came to check if Miss Emery needed anything. While I was here, I overheard the servants speaking aboutst night. So, I chose to apologize on your behalf as well. I simply didn’t want her to misunderstand the nature of your absence. That was all.”


    She nced at Emery, her expression neutral.


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    “Unfortunately, it seems I may have worded things poorly. I didn’t realize my concern would be taken out of context,” she added. “But perhaps I was mistaken in thinking a simple rification would be enough.”


    Emery didn’t blink. She watched Alina carefully, noting every measured movement and every word dressed


    as a courtesy.


    “I appreciate the effort,” Emery said, her tone even. “But you’re right. It wasn’t necessary.” She was genuinely taken aback by how quickly Alina’s tone shifted. In that moment, Emery realized this woman wasn’t someone to underestimate. She wasn’t sure what Alina’s motive was, but she was certain of one thing. She didn’t like


    her.


    Alina nodded once, as if epting a decision made by someone too emotional to revisit the facts.


    “I only meant to help,” Alina continued. “You seemed unsettled this morning. I thought it might bring you some peace to know there was no ill intent.”


    Emery smiled again, colder this time. “Peace isn’t something I get from exnations, especially from someone I barely know. But thanks for trying.”


    Logan looked between them, but neither woman gave him the space to step in.


    “Of course,” Alina said, gathering her bag from the armrest. “Then I’ll leave you both. I didn’t intend to overstep. I just thought, after all the effort you’ve both made to present a united front, it would be unfortunate for a misunderstanding to undo that.”


    She walked to the door but paused just before stepping out.


    “Still,” she added, not turning back. “It’sforting to know that my presence won’t be a disruption if I ever need your husband again. Thank you for that, Miss Emery.”


    The door clicked shut behind her.


    Emery didn’t move. Her arms were still at her sides, her eyes fixed on the spot Alina had just vacated.


    She let out a slow breath. “She’s a delight,” she muttered. “Reallyforting to know one of your siblings is so eager to exin your absence<i>. </i>That kind of dedication is rare.”


    Without another word, she turned and headed for the door.


    Logan reached out and caught her arm. “Where are you going?”