Bride Behind The Mask (Frederick and Marguerite)

Chapter 894

Hayes and Margot exchanged glances, hope flickering in their eyes-just as it did in Marguerite's.

But Marguerite herself wasn't even sure what she was hoping for.

Would he say Violet's name? Surely, he would.

Yet, at that very moment, the man's gaze rested openly on her, as if trying to give her the answer without a single word.

Maybe she was just imagining things. Flustered, she broke eye contact, just in time to see him hand the card back and say the final name aloud.

"Manley."

A name no one expected.

Marguerite burst into laughter. It wasn't either of the names she'd guessed, not even close, but for some inexplicable reason it put her in a good mood.

Hayes and Margot both deflated. Margot, half-annoyed and half-anxious, shot the man an exasperated look.

"Dad, why'd you pick Manley? He's not even here! You're supposed to name someone who's actually in the room!"

He stared back at his daughter, face unreadable, saying nothing.

Aberdeen glanced at the two cards, then gave a regretful sigh. "Well, that was a bust. Let's try again next time. The rules only count for adults who are present!"

With that, Aberdeen returned to his seat. Hayes and Margot grumbled quietly, sulking as they deliberately plopped down together.

Uh-oh.

Did that mean she'd be sitting next to Silas now?

the corner of her eye, Marguerite noticed he'd already leaned back, eyes half

desire to stay squeezed in beside

she'd have to squeeze past him to get out. The space was cramped,

then, the bus jerked to an abrupt stop. Marguerite lost her balance

With

split second, every nerve in her body seemed to

"Sit properly."

Mortified,

"Buckle your seatbelt."

this time

then turned to face the window, squeezing her eyes shut in hopes of falling

of what just happened was seared into her

the bus arrived

Its ivory dome glowed, with a transparent top

up the mountain. They'd

excited kids up the slope. Hoping

two kids giggling as they hunted for fallen

matter how fast Marguerite walked, she couldn't get very far

time she looked

piped up, offering to take a photo of Marguerite. She

Silas a nudge, clearly wanting a picture of the two

to himself the whole time, now dug in his heels. Instead of joining, he sat

on, Dad, get

voice was icy. "I'm not

so blunt that

What was going on?