Chapter One Hundred and Seven

The rejection she felt was shattering.

“I thought you cared about me. I knew it wasn’t love, but this thing between you and my father—it’s so demeaning. The knowledge that our marriage was the result of an arrangement between you and my father so you could get your company back…” Words failed her for several seconds as she struggled to keep the tears at bay.

Finally, she swallowed. “I never would have suspected anything like that, but it explains so much.”

He stepped toward her, his hand extended, “Tess, please, we can make this marriage of ours work.”

She reared back, almost falling off the sofa. “Don’t come near me. I don’t want you touching me.” When she remembered how he had blackmailed her into marriage, using his body as the bait, she shuddered.

His expression was that of a jaguar thwarted of its prey.

“I want some time to think. Alone.” She said. 

He shook his head in sharp n