Chapter 96

"Persuade you? What do you take me for?" Claude replied with a cold fury.

It was the first time the brunt of his anger was directed at her, but Camellia didn't flinch from his sharp gaze. She wasn't afraid of him and had expected him to react as such.

After a moment, Claude's eyes fluttered shut, struggling to suppress his anger. "I didn't hide them from you to hurt you, Camellia. I was… scared. Scared that you'd grow dejected and resent me." His face was etched with misery.

She knew the feeling well. When she had to hide the fact that she was a woman from him, she'd been afraid that he'd be disappointed in her—for being a woman, for lying to him over the years… that he'd resent her.

"Please, believe me," he pleaded.

Camellia met his blue eyes without a word. She never doubted him. She knew in her mind that he didn't lie to her because he wanted to hurt her. But this didn't ease her sorrow or broken heart.

"Then… tell me that you're sorry."