Alex paced the small room, trying to keep his mind from spinning. The weight of his thoughts dragged him deeper into confusion, and frustration bubbled up, threatening to boil over.
Why is she acting like this? What is she trying to do? I didn't need her to make everything complicated. She's been acting so... innocent, yet there's something about her that doesn't add up. Could it be a game? I'm sure of it.
His thoughts kept circling back to Evelyn, her actions, and how every little thing she did irritated him more than it should. The wedding kiss gnawed at him. 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? It's just a game. That's all it is.
And then, as if the kiss wasn't enough, she had the audacity to expect me to help her with that ridiculous dress. Struggling like she was some helpless damsel. It wasn't my problem. But I was stuck. I had to help her, just to get her to the car so I could leave.
But why was she acting like that? Did she think I cared? She doesn't even know me. She sure was trying to make me care, though, whether she realized it or not.
Alex let out a frustrated sigh and headed downstairs, deciding to clear his head the only way he knew how—by working. The morning light was faint as he stepped outside, the crisp air nipping at his skin. Despite everything, there were still chores to do.
His five cows waited, their soft lowing a familiar and grounding sound. Alex grabbed a pitchfork and a stack of hay and went about feeding them. He moved quickly, efficiently, the rhythm of his work calming him slightly.
As he finished feeding the cows, he felt a strange sensation, as though someone was watching him. Turning, he looked up and saw Evelyn peeking out from the window on the first floor. Her hair was loose, framing her face, and her expression was unreadable.
"What is she doing?" Alex muttered under his breath. His irritation flared. It felt invasive, her watching him like that, like she was trying to insert herself into parts of his life that didn't belong to her.
"Get ready," he called out, his voice sharp and cold. "We have to meet the villagers."
Evelyn blinked and nodded quickly before disappearing back inside. Alex shook his head, turning back to his work.
He wasn't looking forward to the village visit. It was a tradition to meet the villagers before Christmas, to share the harvest and prepare for the big feast everyone would cook together. Normally, it was a time of joy and camaraderie, but this year, everything felt heavier.
Alex finished his morning chores and went back inside. The scent of breakfast greeted him, and he found William sitting at the table with Tuffy by his feet, wagging its tail excitedly. William's plate was already full, and he was eating happily, his face lit with enthusiasm.
When Evelyn came downstairs, William's eyes lit up. "Eve! Today's breakfast is tasty! Try it!" he exclaimed, holding out a piece of bread to her.
Evelyn sat beside him, letting her brother feed her. She took a bite and smiled softly. The simple act of sharing a meal seemed to brighten William's mood even more.
Alex, sitting at the table with his own plate, watched the interaction with a blank expression. His gaze lingered on Evelyn for a moment longer than he intended, and when she looked up, he cleared his throat.
"Okay, eat up soon," he said curtly, breaking the moment. "We have to leave."
Evelyn nodded and continued eating quietly. Alex's focus returned to his plate, though his irritation lingered.
The morning felt heavier with every passing second, and Alex's thoughts returned to the villagers. He had to explain his sudden marriage, which was bound to raise questions. And he didn't like the idea of bringing Evelyn and William along. It wasn't that he cared about their comfort—far from it. But he knew there were people in the village who still worked for his uncle, and the last thing he wanted was to stir up trouble.
As they neared the village square later, the sounds of laughter and chatter reached their ears. Alex squared his shoulders, readying himself for the questions he knew would come.
But as much as he didn't want to admit it, he was also bracing himself for something else. Something he couldn't quite name, something that had been gnawing at him since the wedding.
He didn't trust Evelyn. He didn't trust this marriage. But deep down, a part of him couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to her than she was letting on. And that terrified him more than anything else.
TO BE CONTINUED...