Chapter 8

The morning light crept slowly into the vast mansion, slipping through the tall windows as though reluctant to disturb the silence. It was the kind of silence that pressed down on Eden’s chest whenever she woke, thick and suffocating, reminding her of where she was and who she belonged to.

She sat at the edge of the bed for a while, staring blankly at the faint dust particles drifting in the pale beam of sunlight that had forced its way past the curtains. Her hands rubbed slowly against each other, restless, the way they always did when she was afraid. Some mornings, she prayed she wouldn’t see Jace at all; on others, she prayed that if she did, maybe, just maybe, he would either ignore her or look at her without contempt in his eyes.

She pushed herself up; every movement was cautious. Even in her own bedroom, she carried herself as though she walked on broken glass. That was what it meant to be married to Jace, to always live on the edge, always waiting for something to happen.

By the time she stepped out into the hallway, she could already smell the faint aroma of food drifting from the kitchen. It wasn’t a warm scent to her. Not the way it had been in her father’s house or when she lived with Gretchen, where breakfast meant laughter and comfort. Here, it meant rules. It meant orders. It meant waiting for him to decide how her day would unfold. She was surprised he didn’t demand that she make his food but was scared of what might follow.

When she entered the dining area, Jace was already there, seated with his usual calm that felt more like menace than peace. His posture was flawless, his expression unreadable, and his eyes skimmed her just once before returning to his plate.

Eden lowered her head instinctively; her voice was barely a whisper.

“Good morning,” she managed.

He gave a single nod. Nothing more. He continued eating, as though she had been nothing more than a shadow passing by.

She turned quickly, eager to retreat into the safety of distance, when his voice stopped her in her tracks.

“Eden.”

The sound of her name from his lips sent her heart hammering painfully in her chest. She froze, swallowed, and turned back toward him.

“You will accompany me to a dinner party tonight.” He said, his tone smooth but lacking any trace of warmth. “I’ve arranged for a makeup artist to come later. In the meantime, go to the mall with Tessa and buy a new dress. Kyrell will pick you up when you’re finished.”

Her lips parted slightly in surprise, but she forced herself to give only a small nod. He had never allowed her such luxury before. The word "mall" echoed in her head like a foreign concept. Why now? What game was he playing?

Without another word from him, she slipped toward the kitchen, where Tessa stood waiting. The young woman was already grinning, her eyes sparkling as though she had been told she herself was about to step into a fairy tale.

“Oh, ma’am, we’re going to find the most stunning dress! You’ll be the jewel of the night.” Tessa said with uncontained excitement.

Eden almost envied her joy. She almost wished she could feel it too. Almost. But fear dulled it quickly.

“Don’t get carried away, Tessa. It’s just one dress.” She murmured, trying to sound neutral, though her chest still ached.

The maid’s smile faltered for the briefest second, but it returned quickly. Eden hated herself a little for dampening her spirit, but she couldn’t help it. She knew too well the weight of Jace’s words.

She loved Tessa more than she could explain. The girl had been more of a sister than a maid. If not for her, Eden might not have survived those first months after the wedding. She remembered clearly the punishment, how Jace had starved her for a week after she vomited on one of his expensive suits.

At the time, Tessa had just been hired and was warned never to bring her food or water under threat of dismissal. Yet, Tessa had risked it all. She had snuck in meals, little scraps at first, enough to keep Eden alive. From that moment, a bond had been sealed. Through pain, through terror, through silence, Tessa had remained her one light.

“I don’t care!” Tessa said with a playful cheekiness. “We’re still getting you something beautiful.”

Eden gave a tired smile, one that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “All right, whatever you say. I’ll lie down for a while before we go. Wake me when you’re ready.”

She left the kitchen, her steps slow and quiet, careful not to draw Jace’s attention. She glanced briefly into the dining room and was pleased to find it now stood empty. Jace was gone. Relief slid through her, though it was tinged with something else she didn’t want to admit. Longing.

For a fleeting moment, she imagined a different life. One where Jace loved her. One where his hand reached for hers, not to restrain but to hold. They could have been envied, admired—the perfect couple. The thought made her chest ache in a way that felt foolish. She shook it away like dust and climbed the stairs.

In her room, she peeled off her clothes and stepped into the bathroom. The water from the shower cascaded down, warm against her skin. She stayed there longer than she should have, trying to wash away the sadness and emptiness clinging to her bones.

When she was done bathing, she stepped into her room to dress and noticed a note on her dresser. A credit card lay beneath it. His handwriting was sharp and precise. Use this for the dress. That was all. No warmth. No kindness. Only an instruction.

She sighed, dressed herself in a simple robe, and collapsed onto the bed. Exhaustion swallowed her whole, and soon she drifted into a fragile sleep.

The day blurred past faster than she expected. By late afternoon, she found herself seated before her vanity, the makeup artist’s hands working with delicate precision across her face. Tessa sat cross-legged on the bed, holding up the gown they had bought, a long emerald silk dress with low-cut shoulders and a slit in front. It was simple yet elegant.

“You look breathtaking, Mrs. Bellamy,” the artist said with admiration when she was finished.

Eden offered the faintest smile. “Thank you.”

“Stunning!” Tessa whispered, her eyes shining as she looked at her.

With their help, she slipped into the gown. The cool silk clung to her skin in a way that both flattered and unsettled her. She slid her feet into a pair of black stilettos, low enough that she could still walk without stumbling, but sharp enough to complete the look. Around her neck, she clasped a silver necklace, a wedding gift from Jace’s mother. Matching earrings followed.

When she finally stood before the mirror, her breath caught. The woman staring back at her looked like someone else entirely; she looked like she had class, like someone worthy to stand beside Jace, and she almost believed herself. A dangerous warmth stung her eyes, but she blinked quickly, refusing to let the tears fall.

Tessa reached for her hands silently, squeezing them. She didn’t need to say anything. Her presence was enough.

A car honked outside, and Tessa rushed to the window, peeking through the curtains.

“Ma’am, it’s Mr. Kyrell. He’s here.”

Eden glanced at the clock. A quarter to seven. She grabbed her clutch and descended the stairs, every step weighted with nerves.

Outside, she saw Kyrell waiting beside his sleek black Maserati. His eyes found hers, and for a moment, he just stared. She felt her face heat up under the intensity of his gaze.

“Hello, Kyrell,” she greeted softly, her shyness surfacing.

He blinked, as if he couldn’t believe his eyes. “You look different.”

Her hand rose self-consciously to her cheek. “Is something wrong with my face?”

“No,” he said quickly, shaking his head. “Nothing at all. You’re just beautiful.”

He opened the car door for her, a gesture that made her chest twist.

“Thank you, Kyrell. You look good yourself,” she replied, sliding into the seat.

It wasn’t a lie. He did look good, strikingly handsome even. If not for the chains around her heart that tied her foolishly to Jace, she might have noticed sooner. Perhaps she might have seen that Kyrell’s warmth was different. Gentler. Safer.

The engine purred as he started the drive, silence stretching between them. But she noticed the way his gaze lingered in the rearview mirror, catching glimpses of her when he thought she wasn’t looking.

Her nerves grew restless. “Kyrell?”

“Yes?”

“I—I just wanted to ask—” She faltered and bit her lip. “Never mind.”

“You can ask me anything,” he said, smiling. “I don’t bite.”

She blushed, biting her lip again. That small gesture made his chest ache. To him, she looked naturally, achingly beautiful. A thought crossed his mind, reckless and unbidden: If only I could take her away. If only she weren’t his. But he pushed it away as quickly as it came.

“It’s nothing serious,” Eden said quickly before she could change her mind. “I just wanted to know about the party. Jace didn’t say much.”

“It’s just business,” Kyrell explained. “A gathering of associates. Deals made over wine and mostly fake laughter.”

“So…nothing more than a dinner party?” she pressed. “I’ve never been to one before. I don’t know how to act.”

He glanced at her in the mirror, the corners of his lips lifting. “Are you nervous?”

“A little,” she admitted. Then sighed. “Maybe more than a little.”

“Don’t be,” he said firmly. “Just be yourself. That’s all you need to do.”

She looked down at her hands, her voice low. “But the women there, they’ll be classy and wealthy; I might not even know what to say to them. I’ll look out of place.”

“Wrong,” he said with quiet certainty. “None of them will hold a candle to you. You don’t need wealth to outshine them. You already do.”

Her heart skipped. His words settled inside her like warmth spreading into a place long frozen.

“Kyrell,” she whispered, lifting her gaze.

“Yes?”

“Thank you so much. I’m glad I asked.”

“Anytime,” he said, his eyes softening. “And try to enjoy yourself, even if the party ends up as dull as I know it will.”

His humor earned him a small laugh from her lips, and for the first time that day, she felt herself relax.

The rest of the drive was quiet, both of them lost in their thoughts, but it wasn’t the kind Eden was used to; this was easy to breathe in, and it was soothing. Before long, the gates of a towering hotel came into view, the guards at the gate checked Kyrell’s ID, and they were waved inside.

He pulled up at the entrance, the building looming like a giant. Eden thought it was too much. Golden lights spilled across polished tiles, reflecting off rows of luxury cars parked neatly in their spaces. Above the entrance, in bold silver letters, the name gleamed: ‘The Grand Aurelius.’

Before Kyrell could go around the car and open her door, Eden slipped out herself. She didn’t want him doing it. That was something her husband should do, not his friend. She refused to let herself feel like some fragile fairy-tale princess.

Kyrell gave a small nod and guided her toward the entrance, his manner formal now. She followed carefully, the heels clicking softly against the marble.

They passed through the lobby where chandeliers spilled light like molten stars. As they neared the banquet hall, murmurs stirred among the onlookers.

“Who is she?”

“She’s beautiful.”

“Even without the makeup, she’d be just as stunning.”

Eden heard the whispers. For once, she allowed herself the smallest smile.