Even Tina couldn't quite articulate the fleeting panic that, in that moment, became tangible.

She felt like a caged eagle, majestic and beautiful, with a free and unyielding spirit and a clear mind, seeing through the life she had no choice in.

She had convinced herself to spend a lifetime tied by convenience to a man devoid of love, indifferent to whomever he might emotionally cherish or physically be with. That was why she laid out those clear-cut terms at their first meeting.

She wasn't looking for love in this marriage but to safeguard the Watson family's interests and her dignity.

But if she fell in love with her husband, her desires would change inevitably.

She could tolerate a husband who shared her bed but not her heart, where there was no affection, only mutual benefits, but not one who couldn't reciprocate her feelings. She could no longer calmly accept the idea of Phillip having affairs.

In truth, she harbored an extreme purity of spirit and body, wishing he would remain faithful. If other women appeared in his life, she'd lose her mind, becoming a hysterical, jealous wife.

She didn't want to be like that, too ugly and sad.

quietly before Phillip,

to the bone, though the cashmere scarf around her neck was soft and warm. Yet, she knew the comfort was something Phillip

she envisioned the

her demeanor was as it had been upon their first meeting, looking casually proud in a

it," she said, "let's head

normal but never spoke

she slept in her room. The following morning when Phillip was leaving for the office, the housekeeper mentioned Tina hadn't yet

housekeeper not to disturb her sleep.

were moments when he wondered if he should

cake. He noticed she was down, even though he couldn't put

housekeeper told him

with clothes she'd bought over the past months, not a piece missing. She arrived with just one suitcase and left just

showing her in Tanzania,

baby elephants clumsily following their mothers to drink by the river

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