23

"My wife, we should leave," Max said.

Amara looked at him oddly. He seemed too calm and composed, which only annoyed her more.

"Your Grace, let me ask you something," she said as she walked toward him. "I don't understand why you're acting like we are husband and wife."

Max replied simply, "We are."

"Oh, you think so?" Amara shot back with a sarcastic smile. "Let me tell you, we are not going to be husband and wife."

"We are not getting a divorce, Amara," Max insisted.

"Not now, because I need to understand the two lives I carry. But later, we will. Do you really think I will forgive you for all of this and embrace you like nothing happened? Don't act stupid," she said, stopping just in front of him. Their faces were close, the only difference being their height.

"We are not getting a divorce, Amara," Max repeated firmly, his voice a whisper.

"Now we need to eat," he added, his tone resolute.

"Sure," Amara replied, and they began to walk. "Tell me about the house; I want to know."

"It's the same," he answered curtly.

"You still live with your stepfamily? That's wonderful," Amara said sarcastically.

"I sent them away," he replied.

"Why?" Amara said. " I thought you love them dearly."

Max glanced at her, thinking, This woman is driving me crazy, but he kept his thoughts to himself and turned away. Amara didn't catch his frustration as they arrived at the dining room.

The door opened to reveal the duke and lady seated, along with Axel. Amara looked at Axel, but he turned his head the moment he saw her face.

"Mary, you look beautiful!" Daisy exclaimed.

"Daisy, manners," Duke Rawen reprimanded gently, then turned to Max. "I'm sorry, Your Grace," he said.

Max acknowledged the duke's apology with a subtle nod as he and Amara took their seats, with Amara sitting next to Axel. He appeared visibly uncomfortable with the situation. Lord Rawen avoided looking at Amara, while Daisy couldn't take her eyes off her.

What kind of situation is this? What am I going to say to them? Lord Rawen pondered silently.

"Mary, will you leave?" Daisy asked innocently.

"Daisy, you can't address her like that. You must say 'Your Grace,'" Lord Rawen instructed, his tone firm.

"But Father?" Daisy protested, confused about the dynamics unfolding around her. She didn't understand why her maid was sitting at the table with her fiancé and his father.

"It's okay, Lord Rawen," Amara interjected, meeting the duke's gaze. "I'm not going to pretend nothing happened, so please feel comfortable when we talk."