Chapter Five
Lala's outfit for thegala on Day 3 was a crimson gown with a deep V-neckline that Hope was starting to lose hope on, pun not intended. It hadn't seemed this deep on their first and second fitting. But now, it was making her feel a little too exposed.
A knock sounded on her bedroom door, and she asked Colin to come in. "What do you think?" she asked worriedly as he entered. "Is it too much?"
"You look breathtaking in it."
"But?" She totally heard a 'but' coming.
Colin's lips tightened. "It's nothing."
"I could just change—-"
"It's fine," Colin said curtly.
Was it just her or was he in a bad mood?
"Is something wrong?" she asked gently.
A muscle started ticking in his jaw.
"Is it Princess? Is she in trouble—"
"Stop being so nice about her."
Her eyes widened, but she was more surprised than hurt by the sharpness of his tone.
"I'm not blind," Colin gritted out. "It took me a while to see the truth, but I know she was deliberately trying to cause trouble between us yesterday."
"I never said—"
"It was just one mishap after another," Colin said with a curl of his lip. "Only an idiot wouldn't have realized what was happening after the fourth or fifthincident."
"I'm sorry."
"I'm the one who should say sorry," Colin said grimly.
Oh no. Here he goes again.
"I should never have left you—"
She cut him off and did her best to keep her voice steady as she reminded him, "We talked about this, remember? You were very clear about what you wanted from this marriage. And I was just as clear when I told you I was fine with it. So please stop apologizing for something we both signed up for."
"And that's all our marriage is to you, isn't it? A business arrangement."
