The Love From Vengeance

381: SILENT EXCHANGE

ARIEL’S POV

Sir Reynold clapped his hands, and a helper swiftly entered the living room, carrying a small box. With a nod from Sir Reynold, the helper approached Luke and handed him the box. Luke took it, his eyes briefly shuddering towards me before focusing on the box in his hands.

Sir Reynold’s voice broke the tense silence. “Open it, Luke.”

Luke hesitated for a moment, his gaze lingering on me before he slowly lifted the lid of the box. Inside gleamed a stunning diamond ring, catching the light in a mesmerizing display

Sir Reynold’s voice was firm. “Put it on her finger, Luke.”

Luke’s eyes darted to mine once again, a cold intensity burning in them. For what felt like an eternity, we locked eyes, a silent exchange of emotions passing between us.

Sir Reynold’s tone grew impatient. “What are you waiting for, Luke? Put the ring on her finger.”

With a reluctant nod, Luke rose from his seat, his movements deliberate as he approached me. He knelt before me, his expression unreadable as he took my hand in his. The touch sent a shiver down my spine,

but I refused to let it show.

With deliberate slowness, he slid the ring onto my finger, his gaze never leaving mine. The load of the moment hung heavy in the air, a silent acknowledgment of the fate that had been thrust upon us.

I felt a sense of resignation as the diamond sparkled on my finger. This ring was more than just a piece of jewelry, it was a symbol of the life that awaited me, bound to a man I barely knew, in a marriage dictated by imperative rather than love.

But as I looked into Luke’s eyes, I saw something twitch beneath the icy facade. Was it regret? Resignation? Or perhaps something else entirely?

Only time would tell.

Still in s

silence, Sir Reynold’s piercing gaze bore into Luke. “Kiss her, Luke,” he commanded, and I could only wonder what happened between these two?

weight of Sir Reynold’s expectation hung heavy in the air, suffocating any

passed like hours, the pressure mounting with each passing second. But just as the

he declared, his voice betraying a hint of defiance as he turned on his heel and strode away.

for me,

through the room, leaving behind a hollow emptiness tinged with the bitter taste of rejection. Sir Reynold’s

SILENT EXCHANGES

unreadable

been forced upon was fraught with incertitude and Incumbency, a

the ashes of shattered moments and unexpected situation, I found a glimmer of something

spite of the constraints that bound us, we could forge our own destiny,

thrust

would be enough to

with me? Could we make something different

think of right now,” Sir Reynold said softly, dragging me

thoughts

between these two. I could see that this marriage situation had brought something terrible between them, but Luke didn’t want to disrespect this man. It

further on Luke’s departure,

tension once again.

at the doorway, her demeanor poised and professional.

mansion,” Sir Reynold instructed, his tone carrying a hint of dismissal.

I followed Eva out of the room, casting one last glance over my shoulder at Sir Reynold, whose

was really beautiful. Beautiful than our mansion, since

proved to be a gracious guide, offering tidbits of information about each room we passed. Yet, despite her efforts

the air.

Trapped in a marriage of convenience,

I wondered if between this story

find not only the keys to its hidden chambers but

tread on the heels of Eva, and I didn’t know, I just felt this pang of empathy for her. There was something in her demeanor, a subtle