The Dark Wives: A Vera Stanhope Novel 소설 & 이야기

“So if you know what’s good for you, step aside before someone gets hurt.” Then she grabbed her suitcase and headed toward the stairs. I simply stood there, exhausted and confused. I barely had enough strength left to argue. And honestly... What exactly was going on anymore? Did Ethan suddenly decide to marry another wife? Because whatever this situation was... I hated it already. I watched Vera disappear upstairs with her suitcase. And honestly? I was starting to think I was cursed. For never getting one good moment in my life.

Adrian turned first and pushed the door wider. The room was dark. Empty. Except on the bed, someone had laid out Clara’s white wedding dress. Across the bodice, written in red lipstick, were five words. LET THE NEW WIFE WEAR IT.

“Word has already spread! The neighbors saw the police take Delia away in nothing but a sheet! Pregnant! Your own pregnant sister dragged out like a criminal! Have you no shame?” I lowered my hand from my cheek. My voice came out cold, even though everything inside me was burning hot. “She is a criminal. She broke into my home. She broke into my marriage and fucked my husband on my wedding anniversary. She deserves to rot in hell.” “Your marriage?” Mary let out a bitter laugh. “If your marriage was worth anything, she wouldn’t have been able to break into it, would she?” The words hit me like another slap. I felt a painful pang in my chest.

I uttered, but Dark just shook his head. “One wrong move, Drake, and your wife's life will end. I told you not to mess with me, and you really think you're powerful, huh? Don't worry because I'll make a change tonight. A change that you will never forget. I will show you how I killed your precious girl.” Dark uttered and I'm still gritting my teeth. “Don't you dare touch my wife, Dark, or you will regret it. You're such a coward. Why don't you fight me without blackmailing me?” I asked towards him, but Dark shook his head.

Xavier started pacing, cursing under his breath, but Christopher said nothing else as I read the first line. “ Lady Davina, wife of the Hawthorne tycoon Christopher Hawthorne, is an elegant and sophisticated young woman, and I believe the tortured maids under her care will say the same….” I paused. There was a limit on what I could and could not say in this manner, and this was one of them. “And” Xavier persisted I returned the tablet to Xavier, “ I apologize, sir, but I cannot say the rest.” Christopher remained composed, then, quietly, spoke, “You’re dismissed for the day.”

“Or maybe you just couldn’t stand seeing me with him. Maybe that little heart of yours couldn’t handle the truth—he was never yours.” “He was never mine to begin with,” Vera shot back coldly. “So don’t flatter yourself.” Lilith’s smile faltered, replaced with a flicker of annoyance. “You’re just the wife in title, sweetheart. A pawn. A pretty little contract in a family feud.” Vera’s jaw clenched. “And you’re what? The mistress, " That made Lilith raise her hand again. “Enough!” his voice cut through the room. “I’m not lying—”

Then came Merrin’s three wives, their cruel, mocking laugh still echoing inside my head. And worse… Celine’s cold whisper: “You’re still alive? You should have stayed dead.” My chest tightens. I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to block them out, trying to breathe. “I’m not doing this again,” I whisper. Merrin’s wives are back. Back from wherever they went to “rest.” Back to remind me exactly what I am. A mistress. A scandal. A shadow that can be erased when convenient. They are legally recognized. They have rings.

The dozen wolves that had been attacking me just seconds ago had all vanished completely. I stood there, breathing hard, trying to understand what had happened. Had I killed them all? Had the dark magic finally broken? Then I remembered the shadow I'd charged at. The solid hit I'd landed. I turned toward where the body should have been. My heart stopped. No. No, no, no. It wasn't a rogue lying crumpled on the ground. It was Vera. "No," I breathed, running to her side. "Vera!" I dropped to my knees beside her, my hands hovering over her body, afraid to touch her, afraid of what I'd done.

“You should be grateful you get to exist under his roof. The least you can do is serve him properly, or he’ll throw you back where you belong.” My breath hitched but I still didn't react. Clair leaned closer, whispering the final blow, “And let’s not forget, Vera, you’re barren. A wife who can’t even give her husband a child. Tell me, what good are you? You’re just a burden he has to endure to keep his reputation clean.” My vision blurred. Heat surged in my veins, and before I could think it through, my palm landed on her face, so hard that it resounded in the hall.

I didn't like seeing her like that. "Kieran." Silas's voice cut through my thoughts. "Did you hear me? Vera Volkov called twice." "I don't care about Vera," I said without looking up. Silas sighed. "You should care. She's not just some random woman. She's positioning herself as an ally. Or maybe as a wife. She's made her intentions very clear." I finally looked up.and met his eyes. "I have a wife." Silas raised one eyebrow. "A captive is not a wife, Kieran. And Vera Volkov is not a woman you can just dismiss. She has her father's ambition. She has her brother's ruthlessness."