Chapter 4

The woodshed at the Ashton Manor held a damp that chilled the bone, the wind whistling through every crack in its walls.

After Charles stormed away in his fury, he left me there to face my fate alone.

Three years apart, and his temper had hardened. Once, a mere pinprick would have concerned him for days. Now, his utter disdain for me was clear.

At the thought, I sighed with self-mockery. Had I known, I would have spared myself the defiance and simply begged for mercy.

Suddenly, a loud bang echoed through the shed as the wooden door was kicked…