Tyron sat behind his massive mahogany desk, still wearing his tuxedo from last night. His bow tie hung loose around his neck. Dark circles shadowed his eyes, probably from staying up late celebrating his victory with Hixia.
Hixia sat in the leather armchair to the side, wearing one of my silk robes. Her hair was wet. She'd showered in my bathroom.
She looked up when I entered, and her face transformed into perfect concern with those worried eyes and trembling lips.
The mask was flawless.
"Oh, Morry," she said softly, standing up. "I'm so glad Tyron is giving you a chance to explain."
I looked at her. This woman I had trusted with everything.
And now I knew.
I knew it was all fake. The friendship, the concern, the tears.
All of it was a performance.
But they didn't know I knew.
And that was my only advantage.
"Sit," Tyron commanded, pointing to the chair across from him.
I sat, folding my hands in my lap to stop them from shaking, not with fear, but with rage.
"I should kill you," Tyron said conversationally. "That's what my father would have done. That's what the family expects me to do."
"But Tyron is merciful," Hixia interjected, walking over to place her hand on his shoulder. "He wants to give you a chance to redeem yourself."
I watched her touch him. They'd been sleeping together for months, probably. Maybe longer.
"I didn't betray you," I said, keeping my voice small. Broken. Exactly what they expected.
"That footage was edited. If you would just let me explain-"
"Explain what?" Tyron interrupted. He opened a folder on his desk and slid several photographs across to me.
"Explain these?"
I looked down. There were more security footage, especially of me with Alberto at various locations.
"Those were business meetings," I said, letting my voice tremble. "He wanted to discuss a truce. I was trying to help you."
"By keeping secrets?" Tyron asked, his voice cold.
"I was going to tell you," I said. "But the timing was never right."
"The timing was never right," Tyron repeated mockingly. "How convenient."
Hixia crouched beside my chair, taking my hand. Her grip was gentle.
"Morry," she said softly. "I know this is hard. But maybe... maybe it's time to be honest. About your feelings for Alberto. About why you really met with him."
I looked into her eyes. I saw the calculation beneath the sympathy.
She wanted me to confess. To make it easy for them.
"You're right," I whispered, looking down. "I should be honest."
Tyron leaned forward slightly, anticipation flickering across his face.
"I met with Alberto because I was trying to broker peace," I said clearly. "Because I love you, Tyron. Because I wanted to protect you from another territory war. That's the truth."
Hixia's grip on my hand tightened painfully for just a second before she released it.
"But if you don't believe me," I continued, forcing tears into my eyes. "If you want me to leave... I'll go. I have nowhere else to go, but I'll find somewhere. I won't stay where I'm not wanted."
"No," Tyron said sharply.
I looked up, surprised, genuinely this time.
"You'll stay," Tyron said. "But not as my wife. Not anymore. You'll stay as... staff. You'll work for the household. Prove your loyalty through service."
"Tyron," Hixia said, her voice carefully measured. "Are you sure that's wise? Maybe it's better if she just leaves-"
"She stays," Tyron said firmly. "I want to watch her grovel. I want her to understand what she's lost."
He looked at me with such cold satisfaction that I almost broke character.
But I held it together.
"How long?" I asked quietly.
"Until I decide you've suffered enough," Tyron said.
"I understand," I said, lowering my head submissively.
Inside, I was calculating. Planning.
They thought I was broken. They thought I believed the footage was real.
But I knew the truth.
And I would use their confidence against them.
"The head housekeeper will give you your assignments," Tyron said dismissively. "Start today."
I stood up with my legs trembling, but not from fear, but from the effort of containing my rage.
"Oh, and Morry?" Tyron called as I reached the door.
I turned back.
"Don't even think about leaving the estate," he said. "I have men at every exit. You try to run, and I'll assume you're going to Alberto. And then I really will kill you."
"I won't run," I said softly. "I have nowhere to go."
I walked out and closed the door behind me.
In the hallway, I leaned against the wall and pressed my hand to my stomach.
"Since you betrayed me," I said to myself, "I'll completely stop loving you."
"And I'll make you pay for every lie."
