A heavy silence blanketed the room as Daniel sat behind his mahogany desk, motionless, his face carved into that unreadable expression he was known for. The morning sun spilled faintly through the tall windows of his office, but even the light seemed hesitant to reach him.
His original plan of staying home to keep close to Anna, to perhaps understand her. But it had gone down the drain the moment she confessed the truth that left him hollow and confused.
'Because you don't love me, Daniel. You love Kathrine.'
Her voice echoed in his head like a haunting melody, sharp and sorrowful, refusing to fade.
Daniel's jaw tightened, his eyes darkening at the thought. Yes, it was true that he had intended to marry Kathrine first. That had been the plan to make the Bennett pay. But then Kathrine had vanished. And when she did, he had been forced to marry Anna instead.
