“Will you come to our wedding? I want to have your blessing.”
My answer was immediate, my tone as sharp as glass. “Of course not.”
Silence settled between us like a heavy fog. The only sound in the room was the ticking of the clock, each second stretching longer than the last.
Sylus let out a long sigh, lowering the invitation, his gaze clouded with regret that I could neither comprehend nor care about.
“Do you really not care about me anymore?” he asked, his voice soft, almost pleading.
I looked at him, the man who had torn apart my world, and found it all so absurd. “And if I did still care, would you call off your wedding?”
My question seemed to strike him, and for a second, he was lost for words. His mouth opened, but no reply came.
Then he moved closer, his hands reaching out to mine, holding them as if trying to anchor me to him.
“Hey, listen," he began, his voice low, almost tender. "It is okay if you don’t want to come. But, for your information, I still have not signed our divorce papers. I just… I just want you to get along with her, peacefully. We can still live together.”
I felt my heart turn cold, colder than it had ever been. I pulled my hands free from his grip, sneering. "Are you suggesting I become your mistress? Or that she does? Which one of us is supposed to play that role?"
It was laughable, really. How little he understood me, or maybe how little he cared.
Also, the fact that he had not even signed the divorce papers, as if toying with my life was some casual game for him, was just the final insult.
Anger flashed across Sylus’ face. He cornered me, grabbing both of my arms with a force that stung. “I’m not asking you to be a mistress!
“I want you to remain the hostess of our family. But I need you to tolerate her. She is an orphan. She has no one but me.”
I stared into his eyes, unflinching. “I am also an orphan, if that is your excuse for keeping her around. But forget it, I certainly will never be your hostess anymore.”
His desperation showed as he leaned his head on my shoulder, his voice lowering. “What do you want from me, Lily? Do you really want me to cancel the wedding?”
His words slithered into my ears like poison, but I would never be fooled by his mind games again. I steeled myself and leaned close, my breath cold against his ear.