d her husband, Alexander. Weeks had passed since their wedding day, but ins

asked tentatively, her voice tinged with

flickering flames of the fireplace. "Just tired, Amanda.

growing more apparent by the second. "I understand," she murmured soft

the feeling of unease gnawing at her. Something had shifted between them, an

n-law's tacit approval of Alexander's behavior serving a

ting me?" Amanda's voice trembled with

sband, no matter the circumstances," Lady Hawthorn

at about my feelings?" Amanda's voice wavered as

. Young lady.. over here, we don't care! Whatever you see,

ave a female child? Even if you don't ha

Have you no r

vering her words, the sound of the front d

r attention. Their eyes turned in the direction of

of a strange woman -Tasha, follo

w. "Alex, who is she?" Amanda's voice was barel

o face Tasha. "She's our new housekeeper," he

meant to conceal their true relationship. Desperate to maint

n her own house, invisible and powerless. She watched in silenc

spill over. "Alexander, we can't keep lying to

ll keep quiet, Amanda. We have an arrangement, remember?" His wor

nce crushing her spirit. She knew that the facade of their marr

assert her dominance in the household, her every

om with an air of entitlement, barking orde

red submissive, carrying out Tas

ase, I'm not just the housemaid," her voice tinged wit

ot be the housemaid, but you certainly act like one," she retorted,

at enveloped her, Amanda found herself confiding in Tas

xander," Amanda began, her voice trembling with unc

hed as Tasha's expression shifted from skepticism to shock. "I can't believe

footsteps approaching. Panic seized Amanda as she realized the gravity o

nder's voice was low and dangerous, his

her voice. "I... I had to tell her the truth, Alex

oss Alexander's cheek, the sound echoing through the room like a gunshot.

lenching at his sides. "Tasha, what the hell do you think

t. "You lied to me, Alexander," she spat, her words lac

sha stormed out of the room, leavi

s fists clenching at his sides. "You had no right!" he spat, his voi

ds her, his movements predatory and menacing. "Please, Alex, don't

sumed him. With a brutal ferocity, he lashed out at her

each blow, her cries of anguish drowned o

relentless assault, seeking refug

er-in-law, hoping for comfort and understanding

-in-law pushed her away, her e

law's voice was like ice, cutting through the air with its sharpness

breaking with each cruel insult. She had hoped that her mother-in-law w

harp and unforgiving, her eyes cold and unyielding. "You've brough

her tone dripping with scorn. "You've brought shame

d what she had gotten herself into. She walked a

fiancé all for what? What was I even thinking? This pain is

mbling with uncertainty. "Why did I betray my sister, my o

," she murmured, her voice tinged with regret. "I never stopped t

parents' greed and my own greed," she lamented, her voice choked with emotion. "How could they do this t

r voice barely above a whisper. "But I know that's impossible. All I can do now is