Alex paced the small room, his footsteps quick and uneven. His thoughts swirled, tangled like threads in a broken loom. He clenched and unclenched his fists, his frustration coiling tighter with every passing moment.
Why is she acting like this? he thought, his jaw tightening. What is she trying to do?
The silence of the room was deafening, broken only by the sound of his shoes scuffing the worn wooden floor. He couldn't escape the gnawing questions. Evelyn's behavior had thrown him off balance. She's been acting so... innocent. Too innocent. Yet something about her doesn't add up.
He stopped pacing and leaned against the wall, his arms crossed tightly over his chest. His thoughts circled back to the wedding, to her kiss—a moment that lingered like an unwelcome echo in his mind.
How can a woman just kiss a stranger, someone she barely knows, and expect it to mean something? Did she think I'd melt? That I'd be swayed by some pathetic act of affection?
The memory of it made his skin crawl. The softness of her lips, the way her eyes had closed, as if she believed in some kind of fairytale. It made his stomach churn. It's just a game. That's all it is.
And then there was her ridiculous dress. Struggling to move in it, practically begging for help. He'd had no choice but to step in, even when he wanted to walk away. She acted like some helpless damsel. Was that part of her plan too?
Alex let out a frustrated sigh and pushed himself off the wall. The air in the room felt stifling. He needed to escape, to find some clarity. The faint morning light filtering through the window reminded him of the work waiting for him outside.
Pulling on his boots, he stepped out into the chill of the morning. The crisp air hit him like a slap, sharp and biting. He welcomed it. At least the cold didn't lie or hide behind soft smiles.
The lowing of his five cows greeted him, a familiar and grounding sound. Grabbing a pitchfork, Alex worked in silence, methodical in his movements. The rhythmic scrape of hay and the quiet shuffling of the animals steadied him, giving his thoughts a moment of respite.
But the calm didn't last. A prickle of awareness crept up his spine. He turned his head, his gaze snapping toward the house. Evelyn stood at the window on the first floor, her face half-hidden behind the curtain. Her hair framed her face in soft waves, and though he couldn't read her expression, he felt her eyes on him.
"What is she doing?" Alex muttered under his breath. Irritation flared hot and sudden, his grip tightening on the pitchfork. It felt invasive, her watching him like that, as if she were trying to insert herself into parts of his life she didn't belong in.
"Get ready," he called out, his voice sharp enough to cut through the stillness. "We have to meet the villagers."
Evelyn blinked, startled, and disappeared from the window. Alex shook his head, turning back to the cows. The sight of her had only stoked the simmering fire in his chest.
---
After finishing his chores, Alex returned to the house. The scent of breakfast greeted him, warm and inviting. In the kitchen, William sat at the table, a plate piled high with food in front of him. Tuffy lay by his feet, tail wagging in lazy contentment.
"You're late, Alex," William teased, his grin wide and playful. "You missed the best of it."
Alex ignored him, grabbing a plate and serving himself. He wasn't in the mood for banter. His gaze flicked to the stairs just as Evelyn appeared, her footsteps light and hesitant. She paused at the bottom, her eyes scanning the room before landing on William.
"Eve!" William called out, his face lighting up. "Today's breakfast is amazing. Try it!" He tore off a piece of bread and held it out to her.
Evelyn smiled faintly, moving to sit beside him. She accepted the bread, taking a small bite as William watched her expectantly. "It's good," she said softly, her voice carrying a quiet warmth that seemed to soothe her brother.
Alex sat at the far end of the table, his fork hovering over his plate as he watched the scene unfold. His eyes lingered on Evelyn, on the way she interacted with William so effortlessly, so naturally.
He shook himself out of it, clearing his throat. "Eat quickly," he said, his tone curt. "We're leaving soon."
Evelyn nodded, her focus returning to her meal. William continued to chatter beside her, oblivious to the tension radiating from Alex.
---
The silence between them as they walked to the village was heavy, punctuated only by the crunch of their footsteps on the frosty ground. Alex's thoughts churned with every step. He wasn't looking forward to the questions the villagers would ask, the curious looks they'd throw his way.
His marriage to Evelyn was bound to raise eyebrows. It wasn't just the suddenness of it; it was the history. His fall from grace wasn't exactly a secret, and there were still whispers of his uncle's influence lingering in the shadows.
Alex glanced at Evelyn, walking quietly beside him. Her hands were clasped in front of her, her expression calm but distant. What is she thinking? he wondered, the question irritating him even as it formed.
He shook his head, focusing on the path ahead. The village square loomed in the distance, the faint hum of life growing louder with every step.
As much as he hated to admit it, there was a knot in his chest he couldn't untangle. It wasn't anger or frustration—it was something deeper, something far more unsettling.
He didn't trust Evelyn. He didn't trust this marriage. But the nagging thought that there was more to her than she let on wouldn't leave him alone.
And that thought terrified him more than anything else.
TO BE CONTINUED...