Pushing him away, I take several steps back and lift my chin while meeting his stare. “Let’s put on a great show, then.”
I follow Actaeon when Orion says, “Diana, I need to talk to you after dinner.”
He’s ignored me all this time, but now wants to talk?
And then it hits me.
It’s been one month since we got married, which means he’ll be thirty-six soon. I couldn’t find any information about his birthday—he keeps that well hidden—but I know it means he’ll get his family’s estate soon. I’ve heard the staff gossip about it when they thought I couldn’t hear them. Maybe he won’t need me living with him when he gets his hands on it, and this brings to the surface the stupid pain I wish I'd forgotten.
I hurry my strides, praying to get through this ordeal in peace, even though my whole body seems to forget to function properly in his presence.
Even though the man could write a book about how he constantly rejects me.
Tonight, Diana, Orion, and Actaeon are going to have dinner.
Sounds like the start of some ironic or lame joke.
Let’s hope it won’t turn into a nightmare for me because this family seems to have more secrets than I originally anticipated. And the thing about secrets?
They have the power to scare, scar, and destroy.
Let the gods toss a coin tonight.
And may the odds, as always, be in Artemis’s favor.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
“You have to be careful while delving into someone’s past.
Because even the devil himself was an angel once.”
Diana
Diana
“You can’t touch the food until dinner is served.” Matilda’s stern voice greets us as we enter the house and see Actaeon snagging a grape from the fruit platter and popping it into his mouth. “You have no manners. Just like…”
“You call that fucker my father one more time, Matilda, and I’m going to do something ugly to you. Just a warning.” He grabs the nearest chair while the governess rolls her lips, shooting daggers his way.
The maids quickly set everything up while avoiding even looking at Actaeon or Orion as Leon huffs and puffs in the distance, pouring whiskey into glasses but shooting curious glances toward us.
At least the hostility is missing in his gaze. Unlike Matilda, he doesn’t hold what the guys’ father did against them.
It’s really annoying that I know very little about their family history. Since no one shares anything here and Orion refuses to talk, my only source is the internet, which isn’t much help. The Wrights must be very careful with their image because there are no scandals or rumors about them. My marriage to Orion and Rafael’s are the most I can find on them from the past two decades.
“Actaeon.” Orion’s warning is enough to make his brother roll his eyes, once again, and drop onto his chair. “For how long are you staying?”
“Not long. The dragon might poison me if I overstay my welcome. Now that I think about it, I’d like to see her try.” He winks at Matilda and taps on his plate with his index finger. “I won’t eat any food unless my brother tries it. Better to be safe than sorry.”
Matilda screeches at him, “I told you not to call me that!”
“You did? I must have forgotten.” He snatches another grape and throws it inside his mouth right in front of her fuming face. “Maybe your memory is failing you, Matilda. Sadly, getting old isn’t fun.”
“You little—” She takes a deep breath and closes her eyes right before snapping them back open and seemingly composing herself, since her voice comes out calm. That being said, it’s impossible to miss the coldness coating it. “One of these days, your actions will catch up with you.”
Actaeon’s mouth twitches as he leans back on his chair, the dimple on his right cheek showing itself as more amusement fills his gaze. “Matilda, was that a burn?”
“Actaeon, stop acting like a spoiled brat and show some respect to Matilda.” Leon’s stern voice makes my brows rise, and my jaw drops at how Matilda’s face reddens. Are these two together? It would explain a lot.
