His Unwanted Mute Bride Is A Genius

, backwoods nobody marr

eavy silence like broken glass. She shot up from the sil

orm. Her faded jeans and plain gray T‑shirt screamed defiance against the crystal chandeli

‑like armchair. He slammed the base of his oak cane a

omise I made to her grandmother long ago." His

promise? Look at her. She's from Appalachia. A savage

nails bit into her palm. The pressure kept her grounded, like a sm

his eyes faded, replaced by tired resolve. "Fiona

ue with that. But her fury didn't go away. It just shifted, focusin

sion softening just a little. "Child,

er-silent, efficient, like a ghost. "Miss S

t to move, the heavy

ity. Tall, in a tailored charcoal suit that fit him like a second skin. Dark

er in the chair, his mother rigid with anger, and the out‑of‑p

aints. "Julian, thank God you're here. Your grandfather ha

It was an assessment. Cold, clinical, dismissive

h bored, aristocratic disdai

the air. But the contempt in it hit like a physica

Hers were calm, clear blue-flat and unreadable as a frozen lake. The complete lac

fiancée some respec

opping right in front of her, forcing her to crane her neck to look

ven introduce herself?

ess a silent rebuke to his theatrical anger. His smirk flic

addressing his grandfather. "Do what you w

d and ascended the sweeping marble staircase. H

is throat softly. "Thi

, leaving the battlefield behind. Th