Bride Behind The Mask (Frederick and Marguerite)

Chapter 857

Marguerite's heart lurched. Instinctively, she clutched the edge of the velvet curtain and snapped, "Don't come in! I'm not dressed."

Maurice hesitated outside, sounding both exasperated and helpless. “Alright, I won't come in. Just tell me are you hurt?"

Marguerite glanced at Silas's forearm. The bloody imprint of teeth was stark and horrifying.

She turned away, voice flat. "I'm fine. I'll be out soon."

"Okay. I'll wait for you in the lobby."

Only after Maurice's footsteps faded did Marguerite look back at Silas.

His face was calm, as if the ugly wound on his arm didn't even exist.

But Marguerite knew all too well just how much pain she was in.

"The wedding's tomorrow," she said quietly. "Can you just stop coming to see me?"

"I'll leave as soon as I finish," Silas replied.

"Then make it quick."

Her cool, distant gaze wounded him, but his eyes were still earnest, burning with hope. "I'll wait for you tomorrow."

if I do, it'll only be to wish Claire well. It has nothing

Radiance is my life's work. Do you really think I'd throw everything away

cupped her face, his thumb brushing away the last trace of

the tailored suit laid out nearby. His voice was soft. "Marguerite, this isn't your style. I don't like

Marguerite was a force

who didn't need to hide behind a façade of power, especially not with clothes that tried too

She just had to be herself, and that

know if she'd give

Only after his footsteps faded did Marguerite's strength finally desert her. She collapsed onto the stool, utterly

in

Ten minutes later.

stepped out

Silas

the box with

reached

the

his arm, but he

as she looked up at him. "Silas, Mom wants you to come over for dinner tonight. How about we stop by the grocery store? Is there anything you want to

pressed the car keys into her

blinked, caught off guard. "What's that supposed to mean? Aren't you coming home

need to go to

face. "Why the hospital again? Are