~Hellbound~

Love was a word I hadn't expected to hear in the context of our contractual marriage. It added another layer of complexity to the enigmatic world I had entered. The notion that Mr. Derek might have genuine feelings for me left me feeling both surprised and uncertain.

As I stood there clutching the packet containing the gown tightly in my fists, a whirlwind of conflicting emotions consumed me. My heart, despite my best efforts to deny it, had a special place reserved for Paul. I couldn't deny the deep bond we shared, a connection that had been forged over the years.

Yet I found myself in a situation I had never anticipated. I hadn't known that Mr. Huston was actually Derek, the man who had saved my life that fateful night. This revelation added a layer of complexity to my already enigmatic life. The knowledge that Derek might have feelings for me left me feeling conflicted and unsure of how to proceed.