The Duke's Revenge Bride

Chapter 4

As I stepped into the garden, the soft scent of blooming roses filled the air. The morning sun cast a warm glow over the path, but the serenity of the scene did little to calm the storm brewing within me. I followed the winding trail, remembering how, once, I'd seen this garden as a symbol of my marriage's stability and peace. Now, it only reminded me of the betrayal that had sprouted here in the shadows, hidden beneath a guise of love and loyalty.

At the edge of the garden, I spotted Asher standing by the stone fountain. His face lit up when he saw me, but I could see through his easy smile now. Beside him was Amelia, her golden hair catching the sunlight as she stood with her back to me, seemingly lost in conversation with him. The sight of them together—innocent to an unknowing eye, but all too telling to mine—stirred a familiar pang of anger within me.

As I approached, Amelia turned and offered me a bright, innocent smile. "Oh, (Y/N), I didn't realize you'd be here so soon!" she said, her voice sweet, with a touch of feigned surprise. She looked between me and Asher as if I'd interrupted some private moment, and I knew it wasn't an accident.

"Asher requested to meet with me," I replied evenly, letting none of my thoughts show. I kept my gaze steady, watching them both carefully, determined to take in every small detail. The way Asher's eyes darted to her, a faint blush coloring his cheeks, spoke volumes.

Asher cleared his throat, recovering quickly from whatever moment they had shared. "Yes, I wanted to discuss the final arrangements for Amelia's debut," he said, his tone casual. "There are still a few details we need to confirm, and I thought we could go over them together."

I nodded, forcing myself to play along, but every instinct told me not to trust a single word coming from his mouth. "Of course," I said smoothly, glancing at Amelia. "I'm sure you're excited, Amelia. Your debut is a momentous occasion, after all."

Her smile grew, though there was a glint of something sharper in her eyes. "Oh, I am, dear sister. I'm thrilled to have this opportunity... to finally be seen and appreciated by everyone. And to be closer to you and Asher, of course."

I felt the words hang in the air, dripping with hidden meanings I'd once been blind to. She'd known exactly what she was doing from the start. This wasn't about debuting in society—it was about stepping into my life, one calculated step at a time.

Asher began discussing the plans, his voice a low murmur as he reviewed the guest list and the schedule. I nodded along, my responses automatic, though my mind was focused elsewhere. My heart hammered as I watched them, noting every stolen glance, every too-friendly touch.

Finally, as Asher wrapped up the conversation, Amelia smiled brightly and reached out, brushing his arm lightly. "Thank you for all your help, Lord Asher," she said, her voice just a touch too soft. "You're so generous."

I clenched my fists, keeping my composure. "Amelia," I said, drawing her gaze to me, "why don't you go ahead and rest before the evening preparations? I'll speak to Asher alone."

She looked momentarily surprised, but quickly masked it with a nod. "Of course, (Y/N)," she replied, curtsying politely. "I'll leave you two to talk." She cast one last glance at Asher before slipping down the path, her footsteps light and graceful.

When she was finally gone, I turned to Asher, holding his gaze with a steady calm. "Asher," I began, my voice measured, "is there something you want to tell me?"

His face paled slightly, though he quickly covered it with a laugh. "What do you mean, (Y/N)?"

I held his gaze, the words on my tongue burning to spill out. I wanted to confront him, to lay bare the deceit I knew lay behind his smiles and reassurances. But I knew it was too soon. If I pressed him now, he would only deny it, dismissing me as paranoid or insecure. I needed proof, solid evidence that would leave him with no way to escape.

With a slow exhale, I softened my tone. "Nothing," I said, forcing a gentle smile. "I just wanted to make sure everything was in order."

He seemed to relax, relief flashing across his face. "Yes, everything's fine," he replied, the confidence returning to his voice.

But I saw through him now. This time, I would play their game—but it would be on my terms. They thought I was blind, that they could deceive me once again. But I knew their plans, knew the darkness behind their smiles. And this time, I would be ready for them.

I kept my expression soft and neutral as Asher and I turned to head back toward the manor, our conversation drifting to lighter topics. As we walked, I watched him out of the corner of my eye, noting every subtle change in his demeanor. He seemed relaxed, as if he truly believed he had me fooled. That only strengthened my resolve—I would keep him in the dark until the perfect moment to reveal the truth.

As we neared the stone steps leading back into the manor, I heard the familiar sound of quick, hurried footsteps behind us. I turned, already anticipating what I'd see: Amelia was rushing toward us, her gown held slightly above her ankles to keep from tripping. But as she reached the edge of the path, her foot caught on an uneven stone, and she stumbled forward with a startled cry, arms flailing as she fell toward us.

I remembered this exact scene vividly. Back then, I'd watched as Amelia had stumbled directly into Asher's arms. He'd caught her, held her close, and looked down at her with the faintest hint of concern and warmth. It had been a small moment, but I'd dismissed it as nothing more than my imagination. I'd trusted them both completely.

But now, seeing her fall again, I saw the manipulation in every move, the way she angled herself just so. She was using this "accident" to get close to him again. I knew her tricks now, knew exactly what she was trying to do.

With a calm, calculated motion, I placed a gentle hand on Asher's shoulder and subtly pulled him back, just enough so Amelia's hands brushed the empty air between us. Her eyes widened in shock as she missed her target and fell ungracefully to the ground, her attempt at a romantic misstep foiled.

"Oh!" she gasped, looking up at us with a mix of surprise and embarrassment, though I could see the frustration simmering in her eyes. She quickly masked it, though, replacing it with a sheepish smile. "I'm so sorry—I'm afraid I'm terribly clumsy today."

Asher's brow furrowed, though he didn't move to help her up. He looked briefly at me, as if uncertain of what to do.

I smiled down at her, extending my hand in a polite, distant way. "No harm done, Amelia," I said smoothly. "It happens to the best of us."

She took my hand, her grip tense as I helped her to her feet. There was a flicker of anger in her gaze before she quickly replaced it with a grateful smile. "Thank you, (Y/N). I'm just... so flustered with everything going on. The preparations are overwhelming."

"Of course," I replied lightly, my tone laced with just enough warmth to disguise my intentions. "We all have so much to do. Just be careful on your feet, dear sister. We wouldn't want you hurt before your big debut."

Amelia's smile faltered just slightly, and I saw the uncertainty in her eyes. She wasn't sure if my words were genuine or if I'd seen through her little performance. She knew something was different about me, but I could tell she didn't know just how aware I truly was.

With a polite nod, I turned back to Asher. "Shall we?" I asked, slipping my hand through his arm and guiding him back inside before Amelia could try anything else.

As we stepped through the doorway, I kept my grip on his arm steady, anchoring myself in the knowledge that I was in control now. They thought they could toy with me, but the game had shifted. This time, I was no longer the trusting fool. And I would make sure they felt every ounce of the pain they had once caused me.