(Nicholas)
I sat across from Lord Ashford in his study, a dark, cold room that matched the man perfectly.
The walls were lined with shelves full of books no one probably ever read, and everything seemed too neat, too lifeless. He had his back to me, staring out the window, his shoulders stiff as he crossed his hands behind him.
There was a silence between us that was almost too heavy like he was measuring his words before he let them out.
"She's changed," He said finally. He didn't turn around, just kept looking out the window, like he could see the answer to his problems out there somewhere. "This… attitude of hers. Isabella isn't acting the way she should."
I nodded, keeping a straight face. I had already noticed it, the way Isabella had been carrying herself lately. Like she thought she was somebody.
I'd always known she had a streak of stubbornness, but recently, it felt like she was going out of her way to challenge me. And Lord Ashford was right; she wasn't the same woman I'd married.
"Yes," I replied, sitting up a bit straighter. "I've noticed it as well. She's different. Isabella's not acting like the woman I thought I'd be getting when we got married."
Lord Ashford finally turned to look at me, his face set in a hard line. He didn't have to say much to get his point across; his eyes said it all.
He was disappointed, maybe even angry. "That's because she's forgotten her place, Nicholas. She was raised to be a good wife, to support you, and to give you a family. Instead, she's running around pretending to be some perfect princess, like that's what matters."
I kept my expression calm, though inside, I couldn't help but agree with him.
It was almost funny how she thought she was making some kind of statement by stepping out of line. "It's… exhausting, honestly," I said, trying to sound sympathetic. "Seeing her waste her energy on things that don't matter. She should be focusing on us, on our home. But instead, it's like she's off in her world, chasing things that… well, things that just aren't important."
Lord Ashford let out a dry, humorless chuckle. "Exactly. She's being foolish. This is beneath her. But it seems all this talk of independence has gotten into her head. I never thought I'd see her lose her sense like this."
I nodded, biting back a smile. He was putting words to thoughts I'd had for a while now. Isabella had always been a bit of a challenge, but it was getting out of hand.
She thought she could do things her way, but she was just making a fool of herself. And the truth? Even if she'd tried to give me a family, it wouldn't work.
She couldn't give me children – not that I wanted any with her, anyway. I hadn't touched her since our wedding night, and I was fine with that.
When I'd kissed her, it had only been out of jealousy, and just to shut her up about divorce. I didn't feel any warmth in it, didn't want anything from it. When I wanted real company, I went to Elara. She knew how to satisfy me without all the drama and demands.
Lord Ashford's voice pulled me back to the conversation. "A woman's role is simple," He continued a cold edge to his words. "She's there to support her husband, to give him a family. Not to play games and act like she's… someone she's not. I've tried to make that clear to her since she was a child. I didn't do well enough."
I looked at him, wondering what he was getting at. "She needs a reminder," He added, his voice getting lower. "A strong one. If she doesn't want to fulfill her duties, then we'll have to make some… adjustments. I'm willing to support you in this, Nicholas. You're her husband, and if she won't listen to me, she will listen to you. And if she doesn't…" He let his words hang in the air, his meaning clear. Isabella was his daughter, but that didn't mean she could do whatever she wanted without consequences.
"I understand," I said, keeping my tone calm. "It's… frustrating to see her act this way. She's letting her pride get in the way of everything. It's like she thinks she's… valuable, or something."
Lord Ashford's mouth tightened. "Yes, well, I'll be speaking with her soon. She may not want to hear it, but it's time someone set her straight. And if she doesn't change her ways, well, there are other ways to make her understand."
I didn't need to ask what he meant by "other ways." Lord Ashford didn't like to be crossed, and he wasn't the kind of man who'd let his daughter embarrass him. He'd handle it, one way or another.
"Thank you," I said, offering a small nod. It felt good to have him on my side in this, to know that he was as fed up with her behavior as I was. "Your support means a lot."
He gave me a curt nod, his eyes sharp and focused. "Don't thank me yet, Nicholas. I intend to make sure she understands what's at stake here. This foolishness ends now." He looked away, back toward the window, and I knew he was finished with the conversation.
I rose, giving him one last nod before turning to leave. As I walked out of his study, I felt a strange satisfaction settle over me.
I'd never expected Lord Ashford to be so blunt about his daughter, but I was glad he was. It made things easier for me, knowing I wasn't alone in my frustration. And if he was going to handle her… well, that took a lot of weight off my shoulders.
Isabella thought she could do whatever she wanted, but she'd see soon enough. Lord Ashford wasn't a man to be trifled with, and neither was I. She'd either fall in line, or she'd face the consequences. Either way, things were about to change.