Juliana didn't sleep.
When the sun came up, she wrapped a thick cashmere shawl around her shoulders and walked down to the glass greenhouse behind the estate.
The air inside was warm and humid. It smelled of wet earth.
She picked up a copper watering can. She walked over to a row of delicate white orchids. They were her late father's favorites.
She focused on the water dripping onto the soil. She tried to slow her racing heart.
The French doors at the far end of the greenhouse clicked open.
The sharp clack of high heels hit the stone path.
Juliana stopped pouring.
Corrin walked down the aisle of plants. She was holding a bone-china coffee cup.
She wasn't wearing her white trench coat anymore. She was wearing an oversized men's dress shirt. Adelbert's shirt.
Juliana's fingers tightened around the handle of the watering can. The metal dug into her skin.
"The orchids are stunning," Corrin said. Her voice was sweet. Too sweet.
Corrin stopped a few feet away. She casually brushed her hair over her shoulder.
The movement exposed her collarbone. A dark red mark rested right against her pale skin.
"Adelbert was so thoughtful last night," Corrin murmured, taking a sip of her coffee. "He made sure the guest room was perfectly heated. He always knows exactly what I need."
Juliana stared at her. Her stomach churned with acid.
"Get out of my greenhouse."
Juliana's voice was dead. Flat.
Corrin's eyes widened. Her bottom lip trembled. She took a step back, looking like a frightened deer.
"I... I just wanted to say good morning. I didn't mean any harm."
Heavy footsteps crunched on the gravel outside.
The greenhouse doors swung open. Adelbert strode in.
He saw Corrin backing away. He saw Juliana holding the heavy metal watering can.
He crossed the room in seconds. He grabbed Corrin's arm and pulled her behind his back, shielding her.
He glared at Juliana. His jaw was tight.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" he snapped.
Juliana looked at her husband. He was standing there, protecting the woman who had just mocked her.
Her whole body started to shake.
"Are you blind?" Juliana laughed. It was a harsh, broken sound. "Can't you see she's acting?"
Adelbert stepped forward. He towered over Juliana.
"You are sick," he spat. "Your mind is so twisted, you think everyone is as dirty and manipulative as you are."
Behind him, Corrin grabbed the back of his shirt.
"Adelbert, please," Corrin whispered, her voice shaking. "Don't fight because of me. I'll leave."
Adelbert reached back and squeezed Corrin's hand.
He looked back at Juliana. His eyes were ice.
"The Landry family charity gala is this weekend," Adelbert said coldly. "Corrin will be attending as my plus-one."
Juliana stopped breathing.
The gala was the most important social event of the year. The wife of the Landry heir always stood by his side. It was her right.
"You can't do that," Juliana said through gritted teeth. "The prenuptial agreement states we must maintain a unified public image."
Adelbert sneered.
"Of course. That's all you care about. The title. The money. The image."
He turned his back on her. He wrapped his arm around Corrin's shoulders.
"Let's go inside," he said softly to Corrin.
They walked toward the doors.
Right before they stepped out, Corrin turned her head. She looked over Adelbert's shoulder.
She looked straight at Juliana and smirked. A slow, victorious smile.
The doors clicked shut.
Juliana's fingers went numb.
The copper watering can slipped from her grip. It hit the stone floor with a loud crash. Water splashed everywhere, soaking her shoes.
She dropped to her knees.
She covered her face with her hands. Her shoulders shook violently, but she didn't make a sound.
Outside the glass walls, a gardener quickly lowered his head and pretended to pull weeds.
Juliana slowly lowered her hands. She wiped her dry eyes.
She stared at the puddle of water on the floor. Her eyes turned hard. Cold.
