Even when she became my wife, I never felt like I needed to woo her. We didn't even have sex until a few months after marriage…I didn't wish to force her into something she didn’t want.
I would never force something like that.
I had even told her that if she wished to see others, she could just be my wife for the title and that I was okay with it. But for whatever reason, she'd grown fond of me.
I had grown fond of her, too.
Still…it never compared to the love I once had. And how could it? The person I had been back then died along with her. I was a living ghost until those warm, green eyes met mine for the firsttime in over five years. Until I heard my name whispered from her lips moments before I was about to strike.
I raked my hands down my face.
And now she and Roland were an item. Just fucking perfect.
That bastard was the master at witty banter. I used to think I was good at it.
“He pleased me even better.”
I clenched my fists so hard. If I had long nails, my palms would be bleeding. Did she say that to punishme? Or was she truly more satisfied with him?
I watched them from across this vile cell, Roland whispering something in her ear, her cheeks flushing as she offered him a bashful smile.
Fuck him. Fuck her. Fuck all of this.
I wanted so desperately to smash my fists into something—anything. My knuckles were already bleeding from beating that guard's face in, but the sting wasn't distracting enough.
My violent thoughts were interrupted by the door opening and Torrin being shoved back inside our cell.
Lena was instantly there, and Torrin winced as she assessed him, his skin raw from being flogged.
Sweat began beading at my hairline, and my breathing became shallow. It was so humid in here…the space felt too small.
I couldn't look at his skin.
I couldn't breathe.
His brown eyes scanned the space until they fell on me. He said something to Lena, her gaze going to me briefly before she nodded and headed back to Roland.
I scowled at Torrin as he hobbled on over to me, but still, he gave me a half smile.
He hissed as he sat beside me on the concrete ground. “That glare is as vicious as ever,” he commented.
Torrin had been my inspiration. My mentor. My friend.
But he had deceived me, just as Lena had. They’d deceived metogether.
As if sensing my thoughts, Torrin said gently, “My friendship with you was always real.”
I scoffed. “As was Lena’s,” I said blandly.
“It was.” His eyes lowered to his lap. “It’s unfair of you to hold a grudge against her.”
My fists shook. He had no idea what he was fucking talking abo—
“She loves you so much,” he said quietly.
My muscles loosened, and I relaxed my fists. Otherwise, I said nothing, staring blankly ahead.
She wouldn't have left me if she did.