Page 37 of Twisted Vows

I signal to the housekeeper. Dishes appear in perfect sequence. Salad, then soup. Plates of delicate, meaningless food.

She doesn’t touch a bite.

“If the food isn’t to your liking—”

“It’s not the food.” She doesn’t look at me.

“What is it then?”

“Everything.”

The word hangs between us, heavier than the silence.

I lean back, studying her. The Ari I know is fire and venom. This stillness unsettles me more than her anger ever could.

I reach for the last card I have. “Come with me.”

She hesitates but stands.

I lead her to a secluded wing of the house. Far from the cold grandeur of the other rooms. I push open the door.

Her breath catches.

Floor-to-ceiling shelves cradle countless books. A plush reading nook sits beneath a wide window overlooking the reflecting pool. The soft glow of lamplight spills over velvet chairs and a table set with delicate china. It’s quiet. Warm. Private.

For her.

“A library,” she says flatly.

“You always have that Kindle with you.” I pause. “I thought this might be better.”

She steps inside slowly, trailing her hand along the spines of the books. For a moment, just a flicker, I see her soften. The tension in her shoulders eases.

But it’s gone in a blink.

“And what am I supposed to do? Thank you for building me a prettier cage?”

Her words hit sharper than I expect.

“It’s a gift.”

She turns, arms crossing. “No. It’s leverage.”

I study her for a long moment. “It’s whatever you want it to be.”

That gives her pause. Briefly.

“Why would you do this?” she asks, voice quieter now.

I hesitate.Because I want you to stay. Because I want you to look at me the way you look at these books.But I say none of that.

“Because I want you to feel at home.”

Her expression is unreadable. “You know, Maxsim…the only thing that would make your behavior this morning acceptable was if it was born or fear.”

“Fear?” I spit the unfamiliar words out. “What the hell are you talking about?”

“Think about it.” She looks out the window. “A man only tightens his hold when he fears something will slip away.”

---