Chapter 22

After the police took Adrian away, the courtyard returned to quiet.Only the wind whispered through the pine trees.William came to my side and looked at me with apology.“Ann, I’m sorry. I didn’t discuss it with you first before making our relationship public. This was supposed to be just a temporary measure to protect Addie.”I shook my head. In my arms, the pup had stopped sobbing, now staring with big dark eyes, curious about everything.“Don’t apologize. I know you did it for me and the pup.”I understood without that, it might have been impossible to cut Adrian off for good.William paused, his expression growing a little heavier.“But you need to be prepared. What he did today… under local law, it’s at most disorderly conduct and minor harassment. A few days detained, a fine and he may be released.”He looked at me. “Do you… want to consider moving? I can arrange it.”I fell silent.I never planned to stay in Switzerland forever. The original plan was to recover fully, let the p

Chapter 23

William came back at dusk.The sunset rimmed him in warm gold. He looked dusty and tired, yet he carried a huge bouquet of fresh white tulips in one arm—and in the other hand, a paper bag from the old dessert shop I’d once mentioned wanting to try.From the day I met him, he never seemed like someone who’d suffered.He was always like this, thoughtful, careful, never loud about it, but somehow everything got arranged perfectly. You’d realize too late that you were being taken care of, gently and completely.He set the flowers and desserts down.The nanny quietly told him Adrian had shown up earlier. William’s brows furrowed, and when he turned to me, his eyes held honest apology.“I’m sorry, Ann. I miscalculated. I didn’t think he’d get out as fast as he did.”I shook my head. I wasn’t surprised. “It’s not your fault. Blood Moon’s old alpha has only one son. There’s no way they’d really let him suffer in a foreign jail. Even in Switzerland, they have ways.”“Yes.” William nodded, calm

Chapter 24

William’s reaction stunned me.He didn’t look relieved.He didn’t accept it calmly.In those eyes that always held a gentle smile, I finally saw something clear, confusion… and a quiet hurt.He slowly crouched in front of me, lowering himself until our eyes were level. His voice softened, like he was afraid of startling something.“Why? Ann… is it because I… haven’t done enough? Was there something I didn’t do right?”I shook my head quickly. My throat felt blocked. “No. No… you’ve done so well. Too well…” So well it felt unreal. So well it scared me.“Then why can’t we be real mates?” he pressed, gaze focused and earnest, with a stubborn need to understand. “If you feel like this marriage in Switzerland isn’t safe enough… then we’ll go back to America. Manhattan. We’ll register again. Have a wedding. Okay?”His voice dropped lower, and there was even a trace of choking, helplessness. “Why, Ann… tell me the reason.”As if sensing the heavy sadness in the air, Addie stirred in the crib,

Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 21 - Chapitre 23

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24