“I do not have a choice,” Alexander said finally. His resolve had broken.
“There’s always a choice. Especially when love’s involved,” Oliver said simply as though it was the easiest thing in the world.
“And if something happened to her because of me?” Alexander went on. “How would I ever come to terms with that?”
Oliver stepped closer, resting his hands on the desk and meeting his eyes directly.
“Something’s already happened, Alexander. She has been made to leave her home, and you’re breaking your own heart along with it.”
Silence stretched between them.
“You think you’re keeping her safe. But all you’ve done is push her away and make yourself miserable.” He smiled faintly. “Congratulations. You’ve achieved absolutely nothing except being the most stubborn fool I’ve ever known.”
Alexander let out a hollow laugh. For a moment, he decided to entertain Oliver.
“Then what would you have me do?”
“Go after her,” Oliver’s grin returned. “The sooner, the better.”
Alexander shook his head, leaning back again to stare up at the ceiling. “I don’t know if she’d forgive me.”
“There’s only one way to find out.”
“I will do no such thing,” Alexander said, shaking his head.
“Then you are adamant on remaining miserable,” Oliver tutted. “Was this not what your life looked like before she married you? Why do you wish to return to that state again? Are you allergic to happiness?”
“It is time for you to go,” Alexander pointed to the door, going back to the stash of papers on his desk. “I have had enough.”
He was prepared to argue with Oliver, but he left shortly after, grumbling something under his breath. It was not until a few moments later that there was another knock on his door.
“Oliver, if you’ve returned to continue lecturing me…”
But the door creaked open, and it was not Oliver who was standing there.
“Odette.” Alexander’s voice softened instinctively. He got up from his desk. “What are you doing here?”
The two of them had not had a single conversation since the day she had tried to escape to the park.
“I was looking for Penelope.” She stepped into the study, her brow creased. “Have you seen her?”
Odette took a few steps closer, the little frown between her brows deepening. “I know she’s nothere,” she replied, frustration creeping into her voice. “I’ve looked everywhere, andfor days now, in the gardens, the library, the sitting room. None of the staff are telling me anything, either. Where did she go?”
“She’s gone to visit her sister.”
Well, that was the partial truth, at least.
“Why?”
He looked back up, meeting her confused, questioning eyes. “I asked her to.”
“Yousenther away?” Odette’s lips parted in shock “But… she’ll be back soon, won’t she?”
Alexander hesitated. He did not have the answer to that.
Odette’s brow furrowed as her eyes searched his. “Won’t she?”
“I don’t know for certain,” he answered finally, sighing heavily.
