Page 52 of Empire of Ache & Ruin

When I reach the landing, I run into Paloma, who’s looking at me like she’s seen a ghost. Or more likely the devil.

Her eyes fill with tears. “I understand now. Our marriage is not real.” She nods, pressing her lips together. She glances at her hands, then turns around and retreats into her bedroom.

“Fuck.” I run both hands through my hair. “Fuck.”

“You should’ve let her go.” Fisher appears out of nowhere. “If she’s here, she will always be a reminder.” He lowers his voice to barely a whisper. “A reminder of what the Senator did to your family. No one can live like that, Archer.”

“Well, I have no choice.” I swallow. “It’s already done.”

“Or maybe.” Fisher pauses.

“Maybe what?” I ask.

“She can be the one to break the curse.” He smiles.

“What do you mean?” I scoff.

“I knew about Gardenia’s feelings for you.” He rubs the back of his neck. “And I have to admit, I had hoped you’d be the one to make her happy. But seeing you with Paloma. And I don’t mean just today. All the other days while on comms. I think you have feelings for her.”

“I don’t,” I fire back. “She’s beautiful. Ethereal. Any man with a pulse can see that. It’s easy to want her.” I shake my head. “You weren’t there at the auction.”

“My point is.” He braces his arm on my shoulder. “Maybe her presence here is a sign. Maybe it’s time you let it go. Maybe try falling in love.” He blows out a breath. “You know, since she’s already your wife.”

My wife. My head snaps up to him. Those two words send a shock of adrenaline through my body. My wife. “Let it go? It’s that easy?”

“It can be.” He pats my back and heads downstairs. Probably to give Gardenia a similar speech.

I’m such an asshole for not seeing that her tantrums and rash behavior meant something else. I have to talk to her but not until I clear my head.

Touching my fingers to my lips, I stand there in the dark hallway with Paloma a handful of feet away from me. How easy it would be to barge into her room now and take what’s rightfully mine. To finally claim her body. But then what? What happens after that?

Was the old man, right? Can I fall in love with her? And forget about revenge? For so long I’ve been living in darkness, I don’t even know if I can stand in the light anymore.

“She’s innocent,” I echo the Senator’s words.

She is innocent. She is innocent.I repeat the words in my head until they become a sentiment. A mantra to guide me.

When her father made her sign that contract, I made a vow to protect her. It’s why she’s here. There is no other reason. For her sake, I have to stay away from her.

CHAPTER13

JUST ONE KISS

Paloma

I stare up at the ceiling of my new bedroom. The layout is similar to my old room with a fireplace facing the double French doors that lead to a large balcony. There are two pieces of furniture in the entire room, a four-poster bed with simple white linens, a plush comforter, and a writing desk against the upholstered walls.

When Mary Jane gave me the quick tour last night, she apologized she only had a simple gown for me to wear to bed. I don’t care that the closet is empty, that none of my clothes are here. I have nowhere to go, and worst of all, no ballet practice.

My body doesn’t know the difference. It’s why I’m wide awake at five in the morning, feeling like I got ran over by a train.

Some wedding night.

The whole night I had dreams of Archer. I saw him at the foot of the bed just looking at me as if guarding my sleep. I longed for his touch, though it never came. I have to get used to the idea that he will never touch me again. Not with his girlfriend living under the same roof. He claims he bought me to save me. But then why is he now so full of regret? Why not just let one of the other men at the auction take me?

I don’t know if I’ll be able to endure living like this, wanting him so much and not being able to have him. He belongs to her…Gardenia, the free-spirited girl with the contagious smile. And what am I? The tiny ballet dancer stuck in her box—his prisoner.

The sun rises over the gardens below my balcony and bathes the room in a warm light. Even though it’s freezing outside, it’s cozy in here with the crackling fire and the thick bedding. Without a plan in mind, I get out of bed and pad over to the bathroom to brush my teeth and take a shower. Unlike my old home, this place has recently been renovated. The luxurious bathroom is done in white marble with light gray cabinets. It’s beautiful.

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