Page 65 of His Bride

“Great,” I say, deadpan. “You’re eating.”

“I’m starving,” she retorts, sawing off a piece of duck.

“I hope you choke on it.”

There’s a hint of a smile there—a slight curve at the edges of her plump lips before placing the fork in her mouth.

I watch her with intent as she chews. “You're a piece of work, New York.”

“And you're a piece of shit.”

“That was inside you ten minutes ago.”

She chokes, coughs, clears her throat.

I smirk.

“What is it you wanted to say to me, Caelian?” She wipes the corners of her mouth with a napkin.

“I meant what I said.”

She tilts her head, staring at her plate, and cuts through the steak—mysteak. “You said a lot of things.”

“And meant most of it.”

“Specifically?”

“That I love you. That I’minlove with you, if there’s a difference.” God, all this talk of feelings is hurting my brain. “And I did come here with every intention of signing those divorce papers.”

She freezes then takes a bite of the steak, chewing incredibly, annoyingly slowly before swallowing.

She reaches for her drink, eyes still fixed on the bloody steak on her plate. She takes a sip, places her glass back down, and finally looks at me. “What are you tr?—”

“You walked out,” I interrupt. “You made your decision and walked the fuck out.”

“I had no choice.”

“Bullshit. When shit went sideways, you walked.”

“And you allowed it. You and I both know you could have had me locked up and no one would have questioned you.”

“I was sick of your whining, constantly reminding everyone how you were forced to marry me.”

“Iwasforced,” she snaps.

“Well, boo-fucking-hoo.”

“Oh, that’s real mature, Caelian.” She slices the steak aggressively.

“I got stuck with you, too, you know.”

“Here’s the perfect opportunity for you to get rid of me. Sign the goddamn papers.”

I grind my teeth, leaning back, the high-pitched noise of porcelain screaming under her knife grating down my spine.

“Fuck, woman. You really got under my skin, didn't you?” I mutter.

“Good,” she snaps. “I hope it itches.” She pops the steak into her mouth.

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