Gabriel roughly grabbed Selene's chin so she wouldn't look away from him. She wasn't in any position to disrespect him. "You were so desperate to have me protect you from your family. Do you think Lord Blackthorn would do the same for you? Since he's a pureblood, do you think you can run to him now? Is that it?"
Selene pulled her hand out of Gabriel's grasp and turned her head to not be forced to look at him. She could see clearly despite there not being much light that her arm had a print of his fingers. "I didn't try to do anything with Lord Blackthorn. I came out here to be alone and he came after. I am not a fool to bring anyone into my marriage. I wish I could say the same for you."
"I don't believe a word you say. You were so quick to beg me in the past and no you're looking for help to get away from me? I've earned having a lover. I brought her here instead of hiding it," said Gabriel.
"Forgive me. I didn't see that it was better you parade her around instead of not having a lover at all," Selene replied sarcastically.
"You promised me that I would be the only woman for you so in return I promised you would be the only man. You embarrassed me today and there isn't a way for me to come back from this," Selene said, her voice lacking the enthusiasm she had when he first returned.
Gabriel's announcement of a mistress sucked all happiness out of Selene. It surprised her that she could even look him in the eye.
"Why?" Selene inquired, seeking a better explanation. "If this weren't all about hurting me then you would have at least given me a warning you were going to do this. You would have warned me if you respected me or not do this at all. So, what is it? Is it only because you fell in love? I am a good wife to you."
"I've already given you an answer. I don't need to keep explaining myself to you. What part of you was a good wife?" Gabriel questioned, annoyed by the repeated answer.
"You came back to your home still standing. How do you think that was possible? I cared for what needed to be dealt with here for six months. It wasn't like you left back a lot of money to keep us afloat for six months," Selene reminded Gabriel.
Before he became the hero everyone loved and cheered for, she was the one with money. Gabriel had been kind to offer what he could but he was gone for six months. He was only a soldier clinging to what was left of her status so what money did have before now?
"Your mother came every other day needing money so she and your father wouldn't starve. Then there were times I offered her money for unnecessary things she wanted. She borrowed money with the promise that her son would pay when he returned. I helped her to start paying it off. I did that!" Selene yelled, frustrated that it was being dismissed.
Selene gave Gabriel everything yet he saw nothing.
Gabriel refused to compliment the work she did. "Are you begging to be praised for what you did? You're my wife. The least you could do is help my parents. I made a mistake marrying you. All I ended up with was a wife who looked down on me because I was only a mix-blood. A wife who couldn't open her heart to me."
"I did. I do love you," Selene confessed.
Gabriel laughed in response. 'Now you love me? How convenient you fell in love with me now that there's someone else. I am going to hold up my end of the arrangement to keep you as my wife. I suggest you get used to Cassandra's face because she isn't going anywhere."
Gabriel left Selene alone since he had been away from his guests far too long. He knew Selene would have the sense to not be alone with another man again unless she wanted to be thrown out.
All Selene had was Gabriel so he could have her and Cassandra together. Rather than be like other men in town with a wife and mistress, Gabriel thought of having two wives.
Selene was left alone, angry with Gabriel and with herself because she couldn't easily get rid of the feelings she had for him. It was harder than one might think to just stop loving him after the way he embarrassed her.
The love she still had for him made his actions today sting even more.
Selene composed herself by taking deep breaths. She was ready to put on a facade and be the host she planned to be. Regardless of how she felt there were still guests to entertain.
The hours of the party felt long for Selene though she only endured four hours with guests either pitying her or enjoying her predicament. By morning, Lord Blackthorn's visit and Cassandra's arrival should have spread like wildfire.
Selene saw the guests out and then walked with her two maids to her room. It was a long day for her so all she wanted now was to have a glass of blood and to sit in warm water.
Selene was lost in thought, staring at the floor as she thought about what she would face tomorrow. It wasn't long before she overheard something knock over.
Before Selene could look up to see what made the sound, Elsie gasped.
Selene shared Elsie's shock at the sight of Cassandra scantily clad with Gabriel embracing her.
Gabriel's fingers were tugging on Cassandra's dress to expose her bosom to him. A sharp intake of breath was heard right before he bit into Cassandra's chest to consume her blood.
Gabriel's red sinister eyes locked with Selene's. He wanted her to see what happened when two people loved each other.
Gabriel placed his hand on the wooden door to push it open and guide Cassandra inside.
Selene flinched and closed her eyes when the door was slammed shut. Gabriel continued to add salt to her already aching wound.
Elsie was furious with the display. "Milady, what are we to do about your room?"
Selene couldn't do anything. Was she to go in and get dressed for bed during their intimate display?
"Prepare a room for me quickly and inform the butler that my husband will be sleeping in my room. They will both need a change of clothes in the morning," Selene replied.
Selene turned on her heels to leave before she heard the faintest sound of Gabriel being intimate with Cassandra. She did not deserve this and refused to put up with it all for Gabriel to keep her protected from her family.
The further Selene got from the door and it did not open, she had to acknowledge the painful reality that her marriage was over. She was begging and seeking a moment to pour her heart out to a man who did not love her.
The man Selene could once turn to for comfort was gone. Gabriel returned as a stranger.
For how much longer could she trust him to keep their arrangement?
"Listen carefully," Selene spoke as softly as she could for only the two to hear. "Bring a trunk to my bedroom after they leave in the morning. I will need to start gathering my things."
"You will leave?" Agnes questioned. Why should Selene need to leave?
"There's isn't anything here for me anymore," Selene replied, her mind set on divorce. She had to plan her way out before Gabriel could embarrass her again.