Page 41 of Marry Lies
“Yes. In fact, that night in the fountain? That was the day of her funeral.”
Miles watches me quietly as I take a bite of cake. “You did it for her,” he states.
I nod. “She had this list of things she wanted to do before she died. It was the last thing on her list.”
Miles stops chewing, his eyes studying me as he contemplates what to say next. Maybe he feels like a right arse now that he knows how important that whole night was to me.
“What other things were on your grandmother’s list?”
“Well, aside from skinny dipping in a public fountain, she wanted to get a tattoo, run a marathon, go snorkeling, and go to Oktoberfest. She was an adventurous woman despite being wheelchair bound, so she got to most of the other things on her list.” I swallow once. “I can only hope that when my time comes, my list will be just as short or shorter than hers.”
Miles watches me with curiosity. “We can all hope, I suppose.” He takes a sip of wine. “So did you do all of those things? The ones left on her list?”
“I did.”
He nods once before he resumes eating his cake.
I suddenly remember the question I’d wanted to ask Miles a few days ago. “Why is the cellar door locked?”
He coughs on his cake, covering his mouth with his napkin. A few seconds later, he holds my gaze with a stormy expression before turning away.
“Don’t go near the cellar, Estelle.”
I’m taken aback. I mean, sure, he’s entitled to his privacy. But I also find it wildly bizarre to have a place that’s off limits.
“Why?” I narrow my eyes as I take another bite of the delicious cake. “Are you hiding dead bodies down there or something?”
He looks up at me with a hardened expression. “It’s a personal matter,” he says quickly, wiping his mouth as he stands abruptly. “And I’m asking you to stay away from that area of the castle. Am I making myself clear?”
I stand up too, glaring at him. “Crystal,” I bite back. “However, as yourwife, I have a right to know if you’re hiding something illegal, or—”
“Did you not read the prenup? You relinquished your rights the minute you walked down the aisle.”
The air gets sucked out of my lungs. “Charming, Miles,” I sneer. “You’ve outdone yourself. Forcing me to marry you, threatening to blackmail me, telling me that I’ve relinquished my rights…” I laugh harshly. “You know, up until last night, I was actually starting to enjoy your company.” I swallow as I think of the way he apologized for kissing me at the reception. How it felt disingenuous. How it felt like he waslying.“Why are you acting like you can’t stand me all of a sudden?” I ask quietly.
He turns his icy gaze to me, his eyes boring into mine. “Because I can’t.”
“I don’t believe you,” I tell him honestly, stepping closer.
He huffs a cruel laugh. “Fine. Don’t believe me,” he growls. I take a step closer to him, and I swear I see him flinch slightly. As if he’safraidof me.
“Fine,” I bite back and jab a finger into his chest once I’m close enough, but a second later, he grabs my hand and pushes it off him.
“Do not touch me,” he adds, eyes blazing.
I search his face for something—anything.Some sort of clue as to why he’s being so callous, so hot and cold.
It suddenly all feels like too much, too soon. All of it. The lunch in Paris. The texts from Wendy. The lies. The wedding. The kiss. And now, learning that my husband is a rude prick capable of blackmail, superiority, and coercion.
I miss my father.
I miss London, even if it is rainy and foggy right now.
I miss my flat. Sure, it wasn’t a castle, but it was home.
I lefteverythingbehind. And for what?
My eyes prick with tears, but I take a deep breath, pushing them away. “All I’m asking is for you to benice,” I tell him, my voice thick with emotion.
