Chapter 1

Briony Kensington and Stewart Wentworth had been secretly married for five years-living as husband and wife in form, but never in feeling.

Or rather, if Briony felt anything at all for her husband, she hid it so well that not a trace ever showed.

On Christmas Eve, the city outside was alive with lights and laughter, the streets blanketed with fresh snow. Inside the vast, echoing halls of Southcreek Manor, Briony sat alone.

She'd made herself a bowl of pasta, but hadn't taken a single bite.

Her phone lay on the table, screen aglow with a video from social media—

A man's slender, elegant hand slid a diamond ring onto a woman's delicate finger. The woman's voice, bright and sweet, chimed in the caption: "Mr. Wentworth, here's to the rest of our lives."

Briony's eyes were drawn to the watch on the man's wrist-a limited edition piece, unmistakably his. A sharp ache twisted in her chest.

The video had long since paused, but she couldn't tear her gaze away. She watched it over and over, torturing herself with the certainty.

Six months ago, this woman had sent her a friend request out of the blue.

Ever since, Briony had seen her husband pop up in the woman's posts with disturbing regularity.

Briony realize Stewart was capable

pasta, once steaming, had

up her fork, but her

untouched, something

fall. She stood, washed up, and retreated to

silence was broken by the quiet rustle of

lay on her side, feigning

heard Stewart come in, felt

body

Briony's brow furrowed.

was pushed up, his warm,

eyes

the bridge of his nose framed by his familiar

the glass, his dark eyes were stormy with

voice came out soft

eyes, one eyebrow arching. "Not happy to

his gaze, her voice barely above a whisper. "Not unhappy. Just

tender and possessive. His voice was low and rough, colored with an intimacy she'd never truly known from him. "Take

Briony hesitated, frowning.

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