Chapter 8

"Leander, you disgust me," I said, meeting his stunned gaze.

Now seething with fury and humiliation, Leander moved toward me, only to be shoved away by Edgar, who sent him staggering.

"I already apologized!" Leander roared. "What more do you want? You weren't always like this. You used to—"

He left the words hanging, though I knew exactly what he meant.

I stepped closer and watched his face light up with hope before slapping him hard. His face contorted in shock.

Laughing under my breath, I said, "Did you really think a simple apology would make me forgive you and take you back?

"I loved you once—enough to move abroad for you, carry your child, endure your family's insults, and turn a blind eye whenever you slipped into Dinah's room.

"But love, Leander, wears thin. Did you really think I could still love you after everything you've done?"

Leander, reeling as if struck by my words, staggered back before crumpling to the ground. He met my gaze, but the love that once shone in my