Chapter 2
"The coachman said you wanted to disappear," Dominic said, stepping closer.
"Elena... did I do something wrong?"
"No," I replied with a smile. "I was just thinking about a court tragedy I read today."
Dominic relaxed. "What kind of tragedy?"
I locked my eyes onto his.
"It was about a lord who swore he loved his lady. But secretly, he was making another woman the exact same promises."
I watched his face. "Dominic... if you ever stop loving me..."
"I never will!" he cut me off fiercely, grabbing my hands.
"Elena, you are the love of my life. I can't live without you."
His words cut deeper than any blade.
He had just left another woman's bed.
He squeezed my hand. "I hold your hand this way so you can never get lost."
I wanted to scream, but all that came out was a trembling whisper.
"Dominic... I need to tell you something. I'm preg—"
Suddenly, a heavy knock echoed at the door.
A messenger handed Dominic a scroll.
He read and burned it in the candle flame and turned to me.
"The Queen has summoned me to the capital. I must leave immediately. Go to sleep first, alright?"
I just nodded.
The moment he galloped away, I threw on a cloak, ran to the gates, and hired a coach.
"Follow him."
The stallion didn't head toward the capital. It sped toward a secluded villa in the valley.
Through the mist, I watched the front door open. Sienna rushed out straight into his arms.
Dominic gripped her hips and kissed her hungrily.
"I have a surprise for you, Your Grace." Sienna purred.
Dominic’s gaze darkened. "What do you think I want, beauty?"
Sienna laughed and pulled him into his carriage parked in the courtyard.
I sat in the coach fifty yards away, watching everything.
Soon, the carriage began to rock violently.
The velvet curtains were pulled back slightly, revealing a flash of tangled, sweaty skin in the dim light.
Sienna was pinned against the leather seat, her dress torn open.
Dominic's scarred hands held her hips tightly as he lost himself in her.
Through the pouring rain, their breathless cries drifted into my ears.
"Please, Your Grace... slower..." Sienna gasped, her voice dripping with heat and lust.
"You are too rough... My Lord..."
Dominic let out a low growl, burying his face in her neck.
"Didn't you say you missed me? This is your reward."
"Ah! Yes... I am yours... completely yours, Your Grace..."
I pressed a hand over my mouth, suffocating a sob. Hot tears scalded my cold cheeks.
My old maid silently handed me a cloth.
"Men of the nobility are all the same, My Lady," she murmured bitterly.
"Sometimes you just have to close your eyes and pretend you see nothing."
I gripped my dress. "No. I will not forgive him."
My child would never call a liar "Father."
The next morning, Dominic’s head physician came to the study.
He didn't notice me standing behind the folding screen.
He left a leather-bound logbook on Dominic’s desk.
After the physician left, I walked over to the desk and opened the book.
My eyes froze on the very last line.
“Lady Sienna Ashcroft. Tonic for the child. By order of His Grace.”