Chapter 1
I was on my way back to the estate, ready to tell Dominic the news of my pregnancy.
But then, I spotted Sienna stepping out of a hired coach. She was Dominic's secret mistress.
She touched up the rouge on her lips and walked straight toward the private chambers.
My chest tightened.
I followed her quietly.
Sienna opened the doors and threw herself into his arms.
Dominic caught her effortlessly, his hand sliding around her waist.
"You're early," he murmured.
Sienna smiled. "I missed you, my lord."
Dominic chuckled. "Then you deserve a reward."
He lowered his head and kissed her deeply.
"Alright, Your Grace! Save some decency for the rest of us," one of his knights teased from the card table.
None of his guards looked shocked. They just laughed and raised their glasses.
I froze in the corridor, watching through the crack in the door.
They all knew. Every single one of them had lied to me.
"Now that Sienna is here, let’s play something more scandalous," one of the lords suggested with a wicked grin, spinning a silver dagger on the table.
"Let us play the Knight's Wager."
The blade spun round after round until the tip pointed directly at Dominic.
The room erupted into cheers.
"Alright, Your Grace," his commander asked with a knowing smile. "When was the last time?"
Dominic leaned back and answered calmly, "Yesterday. In the back of the carriage."
"See? I’ve always said it—the wild rose smells sweeter than the one at home," another lord laughed.
"Elena will never suspect a thing."
At the mention of my name, Dominic’s face hardened.
"Keep her name out of this room. You know the consequences."
"Of course, Your Grace," they quickly said.
My body went completely numb.
"I promise to love only Elena for the rest of my life."
"I promise to love only Dominic for the rest of my life."
The vows we had made before God in that old church came rushing back to me.
Today marked five years since we exchanged our vows.
I returned to the convent through the pouring rain.
"My Lady Elena, are you certain?" the old nun asked softly.
"Once we destroy your records, no one will be able to find you."
"Yes, I'm certain."
"Understood. The process will take about two weeks."
Back at the estate, I pulled out the petition for annulment and signed my name in black ink.
I slipped the petition into the carved wooden box I had prepared as Dominic's fifth Vows Day gift.
An hour later, Dominic strode into the study.
"Are you leaving me?"