I can’t remove the horrific look off my face. “God, your ability to hold a grudge is terrifying.”
“Consider it a lesson to not get on my bad side.”
“Lately it’s starting to feel likeeveryside is your bad side.”
“Who knew having a wife would be this good for my ego?” His voice takes on a sarcastic tone.
“It’s a wife’s job to call you out on your bullshit because the rest of the world sure as hell won’t. Not when they’re too afraid to speak up around you.”
“What part ofwe’re not a real coupledo you find difficult to understand?”
My chest tightens. I thought Declan and I were falling into a comfortable friendship, but his mood tonight has me questioning if he was only entertaining me so I wouldn’t back out of our arrangement.
His words from the night of our engagement come back to haunt me.There is nothing I won’t do to earn my inheritance. Remember that when you forget this is only a game to me.
Is that what this all was?A game?Now that he got his way, there’s no reason to play anymore. The idea causes a weird ache in my chest, right above my heart.
I swallow past the lump in my throat. There’s no one to blame but myself. Declan was always clear about his intentions, and I stupidly read into our relationship all wrong.
Why do you care in the first place? This isn’t even real.
Because maybe somewhere along the way, I forgot that all of this was a lie.
* * *
I don’t speak to Declan for the remainder of the drive. If ignoring each other was a sport, we would both be team captains with the way neither one of us speaks.
Once Harrison parks the car, I fight my way past pounds of tulle and lace and exit with as much grace as a newborn horse.
“Iris,” Declan calls after me.
I don’t turn around. I’m too afraid that all my emotions will be written clear as day across my face. “I’m going to bed.”
“You forgot your purse.”
The urge to stomp my foot hits me but I refrain. “Right.” Stupid purse. I knew I should have gone with the wedding dress that had pockets.
I turn back, avoiding his eyes as I pull open the door and search the empty back seat.
“Here.” His chest presses against my spine as he traps me between the car and his body. I turn, attempting to avoid skin-to-skin contact and fail. The front of his tux brushes against my bodice, sending a ripple of heat through me.
He offers my clutch. The glitteryMrs. Kaneshines underneath the overhead lights, looking just as horrendous as the day the wedding planner gifted me the accessory. Based on the expression on Declan’s face, he equally dislikes the way his name is flaunted like a show pony. I might not have experienced the same issues as him growing up, but I’m starting to understand him a bit more. Based on the way people treated me at the wedding, becoming a Kane feels like an open invitation for clout chasers and career climbers to have at me.
I stare down at the clutch, which serves as a reminder of my duty. Of the promise I made to Declan to stand by him no matter what.
No matter how much he schemes to get his way.
“Do you mind?” I gesture for him to move back.
He steps out of the way. I attempt to make my escape, only to be held back by Declan gripping onto my elbow. His hold doesn’t hurt, but it speaks a silent request.
Stay.
But why?
“Yes?” I ask.
“Is it that bad?”