Page 69 of Wedded to the Sinful Duke

“No, Ciara, it is you who do not know!” he exclaimed loudly. “You don’t know me. Just because we share a bed and I’ve shown you some of my drawings, it does not give you the right to impose your own desires onto me!”

“Imposing?” she asked, aghast. “Is that what I am to you? An imposition?”

“Well, tell me what else to call this?” he replied to her question with another question. “I tell you that I do not wish to havechildren, and you try to convince me otherwise. I am not a boy who needs to be shown the error of his ways. I am a grown man, Ciara. I know what I want and most certainly, what I do not want.”

“I know, Jonathan,” she said apologetically. “I wasn’t trying to convince you of anything. I was merely saying what I assumed would be natural for every married couple.”

“We are not like any other married couple, or have you forgotten that already?”

As soon as he said those words, he knew that he had made a grave mistake.

Yes, it was true that they weren’t like any other married couple, but that was because, for them, it all started with convenience. He could see the look of hurt in her eyes, but there was nothing he could do about it now. He had said those words, they left the confines of his mind, and now, he had to deal with the repercussions.

“I know very well what we are,” she said through a voice that was on the verge of breaking. “You don’t need to remind me of anything.”

“Perhaps we should return to our original plan of living separately,” he said, pushing the final boulder off the cliff.

He could see her jaw tightened as she clenched her reply through it.

“Very well. If that’s what you wish husband, so it shall be.”

She turned on her heel and slammed the door behind her, leaving him alone in the dead of night.

CHAPTER 32

For the next few days, the house felt emptier than usual. Jonathan and Ciara avoided each other, their fight casting a long shadow over their interactions.

Ciara was informed that Jonathan was away during the day, occupied with business matters while Ciara busied herself with managing the household.

Each passing day seemed to widen the chasm between them, and the distance felt insurmountable.

The day of the dinner at her parents’ house arrived. Ciara sat at the breakfast table, pushing her food around her plate absentmindedly.

She glanced at the empty seat where Jonathan usually sat, a pang of sadness hitting her heart. She sighed and looked up at the butler.

“Winston, please remind Jonathan about the dinner at my parents’ house tonight,” she instructed, her voice tinged with hope.

The butler nodded and left the room. Ciara continued to pick at her breakfast, her thoughts swirling. She hoped that this dinner could serve as a bridge for reconciliation, a chance to mend what was broken between them. She wanted to believe that Jonathan would see the importance of this evening, not just for her but for them as a couple.

After a while, the butler returned. His expression was neutral, but the words he spoke felt like a blow. “I am to inform you that His Grace will not be attending the dinner this evening, Your Grace.”

Ciara’s heart sank. She had hoped for a different response, one that would show he was willing to meet her halfway. Instead, it felt like another door had closed between them. She took a deep breath, steadying herself. If Jonathan wasn’t going to make an effort, then she wouldn’t bother with him anymore. One could only hope for so long until their hope dwindled like the flicker of a candle in the wind.

She stood up, her resolve hardening, her fingers curled into angry fists. “Very well,” she said, her voice firm. “I’ll go alone.”

The day passed in a blur as Ciara prepared for the evening. She dressed carefully, selecting a gown that her mother would approve of, and styled her hair meticulously. By the time thecarriage was ready, she felt composed, determined to face her parents without Jonathan by her side.

Who needs him,she thought to herself, wanting to banish him from her mind, but that was impossible.

As she rode to her parents’ house, Ciara’s mind slowly drifted to the dinner ahead. It was supposed to be a new beginning, a chance to rebuild bridges and start anew. Now, it felt like another challenge she had to face alone.

Upon arriving at her parents’ house, Ciara was greeted warmly. Her parents were clearly making an effort, their earlier apology still fresh in her mind. They guided her into the dining room where the table was set elegantly, the soft glow of candles creating a warm ambiance. Everything seemed perfect. But then, a thought unfurled inside of her.Too perfect?

“Your husband will not be joining us?” her mother inquired tenderly, a note of concern in her voice as she pulled Ciara out of the tangled web of her own mind.

Ciara forced a smile. “He couldn’t make it,” she said, endeavoring to keep her tone light, as if it didn’t matter at all.

Her mother’s keen eyes noticed the turmoil beneath the surface. “You seem so upset, my dear. Tell me what happened.”

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