The atmosphere had grown unbearably tense.
Thea tried stealing glances, first toward Dashiell’s grandfather, then toward Dashiell himself.
Both men had fallen silent, each seemingly lost in their own thoughts.
Thea felt deeply uncomfortable.
She was certain she didn’t belong there.
She didn’t dare speak, terrified of saying the wrong thing.
“Have you been paying attention to Saphira, Dashiell?” His grandfather’s question broke the silence between them.
“What do you mean by that, Grandfather? Do I look like I haven’t been paying attention to her?”
“You haven’t.” The old man’s gaze settled on Thea, who sat with her head bowed, too afraid to say a word.
“Saphira is your wife. She deserves your attention, and you should be looking after her properly, but just look at what she’s wearing.” His grandfather’s remark made Dashiell turn to study Thea.
“Saphira has always been a fashionable girl. She’s never once worn anything unflattering in her life. Don’t be so stingy, give her money so she can buy herself proper clothes. She’s your wife. You don’t want people talking badly about you, do you?”
Dashiell’s mouth curved into a faint smirk.
Now he understood exactly what she was after.
She’d deliberately bought cheap clothes to win his grandfather’s sympathy.
Dressed like that, his grandfather would naturally assume he wasn’t taking care of her properly, and in turn, she’d end up with money from him.
What a remarkably clever little trick.
He hadn’t expected Saphira to have thought this far ahead, scheming just to trap him into handing over money.
He’d clearly underestimated her, and now he knew he needed to be far more careful around her.
“Grandfather, there’s no need to worry.” Dashiell casually cut a piece of meat on his plate and ate it.
“I’ll give her a card so she can shop to her heart’s content.” He glanced toward his wife, certain she’d be thrilled to hear it.
“That’s exactly what you should do. I won’t have my best friend thinking his granddaughter is living in hardship after marrying you. Don’t embarrass me, give her the best, she’s your responsibility now.”
“I know.” Dashiell’s smirk deepened.
She’d truly managed to get exactly what she wanted.
He’d give it to her, all right, but on his own terms.
“Grandfather, I really don’t deserve any of that. I know Dashiell is my husband, but please don’t push him. I’m perfectly comfortable with things as they are, truly.” She couldn’t accept anything more than this; whatever came with the role rightfully belonged to the real Saphira.
“Child, why would you say such a thing? I know the two of you were rushed into this marriage, and it’ll take time to build a real bond, but please, let yourself feel at ease in this marriage, and let Dashiell provide for everything you need.”
“Me?”
“No need to keep pretending.” Dashiell shot her a sharp glance.
“Just listen to my grandfather, since this is clearly what you wanted all along. Once we’re home, I’ll give you a card you can use however you please!” His disgust with her little performance was growing by the second.
Thea lowered her head, feeling entirely at fault.
She should have played the part of Saphira convincingly, but something in her simply couldn’t bring herself to accept anything from him.
“Watch your tone, Dashiell. Saphira clearly feels uncomfortable, don’t go accusing her of putting on some act!” His grandfather’s words nearly made Dashiell laugh out loud.
Uncomfortable?
His grandfather truly believed Saphira was some innocent, simple girl, when in reality she was nothing short of scheming.
She’d deliberately acted this way just to win his sympathy.
Couldn’t his grandfather see it?
She’d turned down the expensive clothes on purpose, just to be pitied by his grandfather.
She’d planned every bit of it carefully, and now he was certain every ugly rumor he’d ever heard about her had been true all along.
She was nothing but a hypocrite, a master manipulator, and she’d successfully deceived his grandfather.
But there was no way he’d let her fool him too.
Silence fell over the table again.
Thea could barely stand being there any longer.
She looked visibly restless, though there was nothing she could do but wait for Dashiell to finish speaking with his grandfather.
She was nearly dozing off by the time he finally came to get her.
Dashiell studied her with a sharp, cold expression that promised nothing pleasant.
“We’re leaving,” he said coldly.
“Are you and your grandfather finished talking?” Dashiell didn’t answer.
He simply grabbed Thea’s hand and pulled her toward the door.
“Wait. We haven’t said goodbye to your grandfather, Dashiell!”
“No need. Haven’t you gotten enough sympathy out of my grandfather already?”
“Don’t play dumb, Saphira. You might be able to fool my grandfather, but you can’t fool me. I honestly didn’t expect you to be this cunning, planning this whole thing out just to squeeze money out of me!”
“Excuse me?”
“Stop pretending you don’t understand!” Dashiell shoved her into the car.
“I’ll be settling this with you once we’re home!” He slammed the door shut behind her, then walked around to the other side and got in.
“I honestly have no idea what you’re talking about, Dashiell!” He didn’t respond.
He simply instructed his driver to take them home.
He intended to show her exactly who held the power in this marriage.
If Saphira wanted to play games, then he’d play right along.
He’d make her life miserable.
He’d make her regret ever crossing him, until she couldn’t stand being near him anymore and walked right out of his life.
Thea chose to stay quiet, deciding against asking any more questions; she didn’t want to stir up more conflict.
Better to act as though nothing was wrong between them at all.
The moment they arrived home, she hurried inside.
An uneasy feeling crept over her, urging her to move quickly and disappear somewhere safe, but Dashiell’s stride outpaced her easily.
He closed the distance behind her in seconds, and once close enough, he caught her by the waist and lifted her off the ground entirely.
“What are you doing, let go of me!” Thea struggled against him, kicking her legs, but there was nothing left for her feet to connect with since Dashiell refused to set her down.
“Our night is only just beginning, Saphira.” He loosened his tie; he had no intention of letting her rest tonight.
“No, Dashiell. I don’t want this!” She refused to end up in his arms again, but her pleas meant nothing to him.
He carried her straight to the bedroom, locking the door firmly behind them, determined not to let her run.
He threw her down onto the bed, and Thea cried out in pain, but Dashiell paid it no mind.
He came toward her, seized her wrists, and bound them together with his own tie.
“Let go of me, let go! I don’t want to do this again!” Thea kicked out desperately, but she simply didn’t have the strength to fight him off.
“You’ll get exactly what you want, Saphira. I’ll give it to you, but first, you’re going to satisfy me.”
“What?” Thea didn’t understand, but seconds later, Dashiell tore at her dress until the fabric gave way.
He took her again, claiming her body once more, and Thea, utterly powerless, had no way to refuse him.