Chapter 15

Victoria's voice was raw and broken, and McNeil didn't even have the courage to look back at her as he left the room.

When he returned, he was carrying a mug of warm milk.

Victoria ignored him. Once she made up her mind, nothing could sway her.

No gesture of his could move her now.

"Victoria, Violet's life has been saved. Once she's back on her feet, I'll talk to her about everything-slowly, I promise."

He sounded as if he was offering her a solemn vow, but Victoria was unmoved.

She felt the blanket lift as McNeil climbed into bed and wrapped his arms tightly around her from behind.

His body radiated warmth, like a fireplace pressed close against her back in the middle of winter.

Wave after wave of heat rolled over her, but Victoria still didn't respond.

His lips brushed closer, moving to her ear, his breath warm against her skin, grazing her cheek. They were so close, and in that moment, all those feverish memories came rushing back to Victoria like ghosts she couldn't escape.

"When she's recovered, I'll cut ties with her. I'll always be your husband-your only man. I swear it."

her gently, but Victoria didn't

her face, his

then she started

just how much he'd neglected his young wife these past weeks, and the guilt

gently slipping her nightgown from her skin, searching for hesitation, for refusal-but

window, their entwined bodies

caught his wandering hand, turned to face him, and met his

sleep with her?

and shadowed, his gaze almost

her, did he rush

find all this sordid, she

could reply,

was a call from the other side. He pulled away and got out

in the cold space,

Always the

didn't even want to imagine what would

to come back. Ms. Marchand is coughing up blood." It

pulling on his clothes immediately. Victoria felt cold,

I

at

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