Isadora frowned. Had she walked herself into another one of his traps again? “What question?”
“What did you think of what I told you?”
“Do you really wish to know?” Isadora’s stomach tightened. She had not expected him to ask. Not after the way he had left the study so abruptly, shutting down the conversation before she could press further.
“Yes,” his reply was immediate. There was not even a hint of hesitation in it. That gave her the confidence that she needed—or rather, a small confirmation that he was not going to retreat. At least for now.
“I think it explains a great deal,” she said carefully. “About you, that is.”
“Does it?” Evan leaned forward slightly, not even bothering to hide his curiosity now.
She nodded. “You built yourself from nothing. You are a man who does not like to be indebted to anyone. You do not accept limitations.”
“And you find that admirable?”
Isadora hesitated then exhaled. A part of her did, yes.
“I find it… understandable,” she answered instead.
Evan studied her for a long moment, and then, as if he had learned enough from her answer, he sat back, smirking once more.
“Well, then,” he drawled, “now that you have had your revelations about me, allow me to share one about you.”
She sighed, pressing her lips together. “Very well. Let me hear it.”
She wasmostcurious to know what her husband thought of her after all.
Evan took his time to speak, torturing her again, which seemed to be his favorite pastime.
“You,” he said casually, “pretend to be composed at all times. You believe that if you follow all the rules—if you do everything as you ought to—then the world will remain predictable.”
Isadora narrowed her eyes but did not interrupt. No, this was far too useful.
Evan continued. “You do not like surprises. You do not like things you cannot control. And you most certainly do not like thefact that, despite all your careful planning, you are married to a man who refuses to follow any of the rules you hold dear.”
“I have no idea what you are talking about,” Isadora huffed.
“You see? Even now, you deny it.” Evan smirked.
She straightened her spine, refusing to acknowledge that perhaps, just perhaps, he had a point.
“That was hardly a revelation,” she said dismissively. “Anyone could observe such things.”
“Ah,” he murmured. “But they would not see what I do.”
What is it that he sees that is different from the others? Is this something he has only said to me?
Isadora’s breath caught. With the way that Evan was looking at her now, it was as though he could see right through her.
The thought itself was… terrifying.
She quickly regained her composure, lifting her napkin to dab at her lips.
“You are enjoying this far too much,” she muttered.
“It is always fun trying to pick at your brain,” he conceded. “Consider this my morning entertainment.”
Isadora sighed, shaking her head. “I truly do not understand you.”
