Chapter 7
CHAPTER SEVEN
SOPHIE
Sitting silently at the other end of the swing, Edmond kept looking at me. He’d insisted on a more private conversation, but I stayed seated, only asking the others to give us a moment.
Anguish flickered across his face when his gaze dropped to my ring finger. But it didn’t move anything in me.
Closing my eyes, I searched for some hint of sadness or regret in myself.
I’d been so afraid of this moment, terrified I’d fall apart the second I saw him.
Yet… nothing? Like I hadn’t called the man in front of me the love of my life; hadn’t spent nights imagining our future if only my reputation had stayed clean.
He tried to move closer, and when I gestured for him to keep his distance, he finally spoke.
“Fifi.” The desperation in his voice, that once would have easily broken any defense in me, now disgusted me.
“You have five minutes,” I stated.
Edmond studied my face as if searching for something. And I let myself do the same. He was still handsome, with bright blue eyes and dark blond hair. An inch longer than two months ago, when we’d last met. Back then, seeing him had meant everything. Now there was only distrust.
My throat tightened. Had I really fallen out of love with him so fast? Was Alissa the reason?
Edmond reached for his neck, scratching it, then looked up. “I screwed up. I know.”
“You didn’t.”
“No, hear me out. Alissa, she… It was…”
“Edmond.” My voice was calm. He flinched but didn’t continue. I shifted my gaze to the garden, trying to find the best words. “You have no obligation to explain anything. Our engagement ended long before.”
“You know that’s not true.”
“Perhaps,” I tilted my head. “But that doesn’t matter. You have a child to take care of soon. And I have my obligations to my family.”
Edmond’s face darkened, and his voice rose with each sentence. “Then why did you wait so long to fulfill your obligations? Why couldn’t it be with me?”
“Don’t act as if you don’t know.” I fought to keep my voice level.
“I don’t!”
Was I a joke to him? “Should I go through everything? Or just the fact you never once defended me?”
“I did! Maybe not in the way you expected, but—”
“You went and spent the night with a woman who mocked me in front of others.” My hands fisted in my lap.
At least he had the nerve to look ashamed. “Is that why you chose him?” Edmond’s voice pitched at the end. “Him, of all people?”
“That has nothing to do with you.”
“It does! You agreed after news of my engagement.”
“Wrong. My wedding was already under discussion. The timing was pure coincidence.”
Edmond shook his head. “Don’t lie. You knew it would pain me. That’s why you agreed.”
“The world doesn’t revolve around you, Edmond.” Blood pounded in my ears. How dare he come and blame me for everything that was happening, when it was him who’d abandoned me first?
Edmond laughed bitterly. “I never would have expected you to marry a man who hurt my family. Killed my cousin—his own brother. And father. What do you think he’ll do once he gets tired of you?”
A deliberate cough broke the silence. “Such vanity. It’s almost impressive.” Viktor’s voice came from behind. His steps were measured as he moved to stand beside me.
“Viktor.” Edmond’s expression soured as he rose from his seat.
“You really shouldn’t run around making accusations you can’t prove. It’s reckless.” There was false concern in Viktor’s voice.
“As if it’s not true.” Edmond’s voice turned cold.
“Your family already tried that in court,” Viktor replied. “Lost spectacularly, if I recall. Or would you like to go another round?”
Edmond’s jaw clenched. “What do you want?”
“I believe I’m the one who should be asking that.” Viktor smirked.
“I don’t need your permission to talk to my fian—” Edmond faltered, then straightened and forced confidence into his voice. “I know you’re doing this to hurt me. But if you harm her even once, I’ll make you regret it.”
“You have such a high opinion of yourself. Bravo. But let’s not forget it wasn’t me who couldn’t keep his trousers zipped while still claiming to be engaged.”
“You bastard!”
“What? Being unfaithful is excusable now for Saint Edmond?”
“You know nothing!” Edmond’s face flushed red.
Before he could say more, Viktor sat down in the chair beside the swing. “Apologies on his behalf. Some people simply act according to their nature,” he told me.
I blinked when a strange flicker of satisfaction stirred in my chest. But before the tension could explode, I told Edmond quietly, “I trust we’re done. It’s time for you to leave.”
Edmond pressed his lips together, looking directly into my eyes. “You’re making a mistake. You think marrying him will make me suffer? It will! But… am I worth it?” The last words came out almost like a plea.
Viktor rolled his eyes with deliberate slowness. “Spare us the performance. It’s too cheap even for you.”
“Get lost!” Edmond huffed through clenched teeth. “I’m not talking to you!”
“Edmond. You’re embarrassing yourself,” I said.
My ex-fiancé’s expression crumpled with betrayal, but he didn’t say more. Glancing at me one last time, he turned to Viktor. “This isn’t over.”
“There has to be something for it to be over,” Viktor answered.
Edmond scoffed but didn’t answer. Instead, he strode toward the doors and slammed them when Viktor added, “Next time you need someone to blame, try looking in a mirror.”
When he turned to me, heat crowded under my skin. And for a moment, I was sure my vision blurred. I squeezed my eyes shut, then opened them slowly.
“You’re feeling unwell?” He sounded concerned, and under different circumstances, I might have believed the sincerity in his voice and the strange warmth that appeared in his eyes.
But there were no other circumstances.
“I am well,” I said, as my cheeks ached from the smile I forced.
He hummed, narrowing his eyes.
“Do you still love him?”
Well… I thought I did. I was sure Edmond was the one my heart would always beat for. But I was so shaken. Shouldn’t there be at least an ounce of anger at the betrayal? Disappointment? Anything!
I caught myself with a small sigh, realizing that the man—my now fiancé—was still waiting for my answer. But what could I possibly say when the only thing I was sure of was that the rising ache in my heart wasn’t because of Edmond? Or this marriage, or anything I could point out?
A muscle ticked in his cheek.
“I see.” Any hint of warmth that was there before vanished from his voice, making a cold dread slide down my spine.
I hadn’t done anything wrong, yet it felt as if I had. But what had he expected of me?
Viktor rose from his seat, turning away as if he couldn’t look at me. “I’ll ask my housekeeper to prepare your room.”
“My room…” I tried the words.
This was the matter I wanted to discuss earlier on our supposed walk, before Rafa cut us short. Wouldn’t be surprised if my brother had demanded something like this. Though perhaps Viktor himself thought about it.
Two minutes ago, I would’ve probably thanked him for saving me the awkwardness of asking. But now? When his jaw was still tight, his shoulders rigid?
“Yes. I’ll send one of my assistants to get your preferences.” His eyes were fathomless as they met mine. “Unless you have further questions, I’ll see you at the ceremony.”
Only when the terrace door clicked shut did air rush into my lungs, burning every inch on its way in and out.