Ophelia''s entire world stopped. She dropped her head in defeat, epting her fate. She knew this was bound to happen. She had always been wondering when he was going to say it. All of her obedience meant nothing to him. The virtues of a wife she learned since birth washed down the drain.


    Ophelia didn''t me him. He might as well have bought a pig for ughter. Seeing her on that stage in the auction house, any man would be repulsed to turn her into a wife.


    Ophelia was damaged goods. She would bring shame to Killorn and his reputation. She was good for nothing, but her stubbornness.


    Ophelia''s palms burned with the memory of smacking him. She didn''t regret it. As her husband, he was supposed to protect her. He waste in saving her. She was already trained to be terrified of a wooden stick that''d be shoved down her throat. She was taught the arts of seduction, but never seeded. What saved her skin multiple times was her eyes and hair—an exotic treat, the people would call her.


    Ophelia failed miserably in all of her "training" lessons and even now, she didn''t remember a single thing from those hazy rooms.


    "I-if that i-is what you w-wish," Ophelia stammered out.


    Killorn''s brows shot up. Her stutter had gotten much worse. He had an inkling it was not because of her anxiety. This time, House Nileton had broken her for good.


    Ophelia might''ve stammered before, but it was nowhere this bad.


    "M-my l-lord!" Ophelia cried out when he grabbed her by the cor.


    Ophelia thought she was looking death in the eyes.


    Killorn yanked her closer, his eyes set on fire. Her heart was caught in her throat. She was brought to her knees, peering up at him helplessly. He released his grip. She was defenseless. He saw it in her trembling shoulders, the words she bit back, and theck of tears in her eyes.


    "Divorce is not what I wish for," he seethed in a harsh voice.


    Without warning, Killorn grabbed her by the waist and hoisted her onto hisp. She was frozen as a rock, her limbs stiff. When would she ever stop shaking around him? He thought they had made progress, but all of it was gone.


    When Killian woke up without her, when he searched the entire castle for her, that was when he thought he had lost her for good. He desired for her to feel safe in his arms but he underestimated the torture and trauma that his wife had endured, not to mention witnessing her own husband murdering an entire family before her eyes.


    "I am asking if divorce is what you desire?" Killorn roughly demanded, grabbing her by the chin.


    Her bottom lip jutted out, resembling a child who never got to utter their concern. He bent his forehead and rested it against hers.


    "Do you wish to leave me again, Ophelia?" Killorn snaked his arm around her hips, bringing her upon him.


    Killorn connected their bodies even closer, which was easier than expected. Her clothes were thin and he was irked by the material. This was the perfect kind of dress to tear off a woman before viting her; a deliberate choice of attire by the auctioneers.


    Killorn''s blood boiled. He shouldn''t have burnt them alive. He should''ve skinned every man in the auction house. How dare they touch what was his? How dare they sell a nobledy like her? How dare they shame his wife?


    "N-no…" Ophelia confessed, grabbing onto his armor tightly, ignoring the crimson stains this time.


    Ophelia was surprised by the oue of this conversation. She expected him to drag her by the hair all the way to the church. She thought he''dmand the priest to annul their marriage whilst she clung onto his legs and begged.


    "P-please, I wouldn''t f-fathom it," Ophelia emphasized.


    Ophelia needed him more than he''d possibly think. If Killorn left her, who would want her? It didn''t matter. He was one of the only people in the world who treated her well, despite his bluntness.


    "Ophelia," Killorn murmured, his tone softening for once. "Tell me what they did to you. You are stuttering so much that it is unlike your normal tendencies. Am I making you that anxious?"


    Ophelia froze. Within seconds, she scrambled off hisp and back to her seat. It happened in the blink of an eye—so fast, that he didn''t process it. Killorn nkly nced at his empty thigh. Then, he angrily narrowed his eyes.


    "You''re a quick runner," Killorn pointed out.


    Ophelia shivered at the ferocity that hid under the silkiness of his mellow voice. She pressed herself tightly upon the corners of the carriage ride.


    "Use those same legs ande back to me."


    "M-my l-lord—"


    "Now."


    Ophelia shamefully nced out the window. She couldn''t find it in herself to be worthy of his tender touches. She found herself to be dirty. No respectabledy would be sold like that. She had no right in being his wife, much less, deserving of his affection.


    Killorn''s aloof voice pierced the air. "If you do not tell me, I won''t be able to understand the extent of your suffering."


    Ophelia''s heart skipped at the softness of his speech. She didn''t have the guts to say anything. Her mind was desperately trying to lock away the memories of her hellish experience at the hands of Nathan. She didn''t want to relive those memories.


    Equally, Ophelia didn''t want Killorn to know the truth of her suffering; he may decide to proceed with a divorce if he knew the extent. Instead, she opted to lean her head against the window and squeeze her eyes shut. A stifling silence passed through them. She didn''t have to look at him to know his brooding gaze was roaming all over her body.


    At her somberness, Killorn''s tone hardened. "I should''ve protected you better, Ophelia. I know that."


    Ophelia tensed. She immediately nced at him. "M-my lord, I-I didn''t mean to l-leave that m-morning, I-I wanted to fetch you your m-morning water from t-the well."


    "So it is my fault you were taken."


    "N-no, I…" Ophelia realized they were both at a wrong. Was she a fool for trusting in her family''s servants? They had always mistreated her, but she never thought they''d be in cahoots with the Nileton family.


    Was Killorn an idiot to not hold onto his wife tighter in the morning? Obviously not, he was exhausted from riding across the country to return home to her.


    "I-I only h-have myself to b-me," Ophelia whispered.


    Killorn gritted his teeth. He had caused her despair and suffering, but she was ming herself. He was stabbed with guilt. No amount of pain upon House Nileton would repair the wound in their rtionship.


    Finally, Killorn lowered his voice. "Come here, my lovely wife, let me hold you."


    Ophelia couldn''t understand his motives. Why did he always want her presence to be that close to him? Didn''t men hate clingy women? Wouldn''t her body heat be too much for a warm man like him?


    "A-are you c-cold?" Ophelia suddenly asked him.


    Killorn nched. What?


    "O-oh y-you must be," Ophelia realized. Maybe that was why he consistently wanted her next to him—so they could warm each other up.


    Ophelia nced around the carriage and saw that above her seat was a nket. She quickly unfolded it and scurried over to pass him theforter. It was soft to the touch and smelled faintly of freshundry. When she ced it onto hisp, he grabbed her wrist.


    Ophelia held back a startled yelp. She stared at him, hisrge form was as intimidating as a ck lion. Even when seated, he was just a sliver taller than her. Her voice died in her throat. His alluring eyes swirled with curiosity, his lips slightly curled. He was dangerous and determined, two of the deadliestbinations.


    Within seconds, his face was close to hers. She could nearly smell his minty breath that cooly brushed upon her beguiling skin.


    "You think I''m cold, Ophelia?"