Page 32 of Best Kept Vows

“Does fuck all.”

“Hey,” Bryce began.

“Actually, he doesn’t do fuck all; what he does is sabotage deals like he did with two of our clients last month. You tell your wife about your most recent screw-up, Bryce?”

My brother-in-law looked chagrined.

“Language,” my mother shouted. “And sit down so we can be served the main course.”

Suddenly, the room felt incredibly suffocating. The weight of their judgment, the hypocrisy, the emptiness—it was too much.

“I have work to do,” I muttered.

“Work?” Dolly echoed sharply. “It’s Sunday night.”

“The business doesn’t stop, Mother,” I snapped, not bothering to hide my irritation. “And since y’all, I assume, want to continue to benefit from Boone Metals, maybe it’s time you started to show not just me but my wife some respect.”

I walked quickly through the cold, opulent halls toward my car. The estate had never felt like home—just a shrine to wealth and obligation, devoid of warmth or affection. Lia had given me warmth, and now I was on the verge of losing her forever.

Driving back through Savannah’s dark streets, an overwhelming sadness settled over me. For the first time in years, I allowed myself to face the bitter truth:I wasn’t happy. I’d built my entire life around obligation, expectations, and duty. Lia had been the only real happiness I’d ever known, and now she was slipping through my fingers.

I gripped the steering wheel tightly, breathing shallowly, uncertain how to fix the mess I’d made. But I knew one thing with painful clarity—I couldn’t continue like this. I couldn’t become my father, bitter and unloved, watching life from the sidelines, drowning in regret.

Somethinghad to change.Ihad to change—before it was too late.

CHAPTER 11

Ophelia

Sebastian was behavingstrangely.

On Monday morning, he cooked breakfast. It was just eggs and toast, but he made the effort, and that was mind-blowing.

“Are you excited about your first day at work?” He refilled my coffee cup.

What was he up to? What was his angle? I hated that I didn’t trust my husband, but I didn’t. This wasn’t like him.

“I thought you didn’t want me to work,” I reminded him.

He gave me a small smile. “I’m sorry about that, Lia. I should’ve been more supportive. I think it’s exciting that you got a job so quickly and…I’m proud of you.”

Sebastian stood across the counter, calm, gentle eyes fixed on mine, waiting for my reaction. This wasn’t normal—not anymore, anyway. I was used to fights, accusations, and cold silences. But praise? Encouragement? Breakfast?

Maybe I was still asleep, and this was a dream!

I studied him for a long moment. “I don’t know what to say.”

A flicker of hurt passed through his eyes before he covered it with a careful smile.

I sipped my coffee. “Iamexcited,” I admitted finally. “Nervous, too. It’s my first job.”

“You’ll do great.” He said it so sincerely that it made my heart twist painfully.

I stood up, grabbing my purse and keys. “Thank you for breakfast. That was…unexpected.”

“Lia,” he said quietly, hesitating as if unsure of himself. “I want you to know I’m proud of you. Really. I know I haven’t shown it, but I am.”

A dull ache bloomed in my chest. “Thank you.”

---