Her fingers curled inward, nails biting into her palms. Something tightened around her heart like a wire, and a suffocating pressure flooded her chest.
That thesis was the culmination of years of work with her advisor. It was their shared achievement.
She'd never guarded herself against Bryce. She never imagined he'd turn it into a weapon.
Whatever warmth remained in Rosamond's heart went cold.
She'd misjudged him. She could accept that now.
When she looked up again, her eyes were empty. Completely, utterly empty.
"Fine. I'll hand the resources over to Olympia. But I want to watch you delete every copy of that thesis with my own eyes. And you'll sign an agreement guaranteeing you'll never leak it."
Bryce shrugged, unbothered.
"Sure. No problem."
"I'm not that low."
He studied Rosamond's composed expression, and a flicker of unease stirred in his gut for no reason he could name.
She wouldn't divorce him over this, would she?
The thought lasted barely a second before he dismissed it entirely.
She loved him too much. She'd never leave.
He'd just have to sweet-talk her afterward. That would fix things.
With that settled in his mind, his gaze toward Rosamond softened a fraction.
"Come on, Rosa. Don't sulk. From now on, just stay home and be a good wife."
"Once you've recovered, we'll start trying for a baby. It's what my mother's always wanted."
"Oh, and since you're going to be a full-time homemaker, I'm bringing my mother here from back home. She was thrilled when she heard you'd agreed to have children. Make sure you treat her well."
Rosamond thought of Bryce's mother, Layla Delgado, and a wave of revulsion washed through her.
Layla had always adored Olympia. The moment she learned Bryce had married Rosamond instead, she'd treated her like a homewrecker who'd stolen her son from his true love.
The woman's tongue was vicious, and her real goal had always been to break Rosamond down.
Washing her feet. Waking at five in the morning to cook for her. Being forbidden from eating at the same table.
In the early months of the marriage, Rosamond had swallowed more humiliation than she could count.
Thankfully, Bryce had sent his mother back before long. Otherwise, Rosamond wasn't sure how much longer she could have endured it.
Bryce noticed her silence and frowned with displeasure.
"My mother has some old-fashioned ideas, sure. But she's still your mother-in-law. Grin and bear it."