t her insides. The air between her and Evan was thick with unspoken tension, a delicate balance teetering on the edg

said softly from beside her, reac

chest. "Of course, I'm thinking," she said, her voice ti

l resting on her shoulder. "I know this is confusing f

w can you say that? You're my husband's brother!

n doesn't deserve your loyalty, Ai

idn't make it easier to accept. Darian had neglected her emotionally for so long, treating her

he whispered, the words ta

ng to let him control you, Aila? How long are you going to let him parade you aro

e her feel small, like she was nothing more than an accessory to his life. The nights

ween them, her voice cracking,

e not, but it's a start. It's you taking control, Aila. For once

sure she was ready to face. She had always been the good wife, the dutiful partner, the one who put Darian's needs abov

d, her voice barely audible. "I don't know if

r once again. "You don't have to make any decisions right now," he said quietly. "But Aila... you deserve t

on that had been haunting her for months now. She had spent so long trying to be the perfect wife, to live up to the expectations

eeing the concern in his eyes, the desire that still lingered beneath the surface. He w

ila whispered, h

further. "Take all the time you need. I'l

wasn't sure if she deserved his patience, his understanding. But

-

ould, the weight of their shared secret pressing down on her like a physical burden. She

changed, still treating Aila like the perfect accessory to his carefully crafted world.

ing alone in their bedroom, staring at her reflection in the mirror. She barely recognized the