The word echoed hollowly inside her.
Unencumbered.
As if she were a burden to be rid of.. And now William…
Her breath grew shallower, her heart pounding so hard she wondered if anyone else could hear it. The hall seemed to shrink around her. Suddenly, the space felt too tight, filled with people who did not matter.
At that moment, William’s gaze found her. And just like that, everything else disappeared.
The applause that had followed faded away. The approving murmurs, the pleased expressions—everything. Even Averey’s delighted cry and Rhea’s wide smile as she eagerly beckoned her over.
All of it disappeared until there was only him. Only the way his eyes locked onto hers across the hall. Only the cold distance in his stare.
He did not smile. He did not soften. He looked at her as though she were already gone.
A pain she couldn’t explain flared in her chest.
Why?
The question bounced around in her head.
Why was he looking at her like that? Why was there no warmth, no sign of affection from the man she had been with only hours ago?
How could he sit there and say those things, as though she were nothing more than a problem neatly solved? Especially after last night.
Shakily, she took a step forward. Then stopped.
She was torn between moving closer and staying where she was. She struggled with her thoughts, unsure of what decision to make.
What if he became even more cruel when she drew closer? What if he acted nothing like the man who had kissed her passionately? Like the man who had held her as though letting go might undo him? Like the man who had looked at her with something dangerously close to obsession?
Her eyebrows drew together tightly, emotions flooding her all at once. Anger, disbelief, confusion, hurt.
Her hands clenched at her sides, nails biting into her palms. Her eyes searched his face again, desperate for something, anything. But there was absolutely nothing.
His expression was hard, almost unreadable. He sat there, aware of every emotion flickering across her face while revealing none of his own.
That was when she decided to confront him.
She would cross the hall and demand answers. Demand to know if she had imagined everything. Demand to know if she had been foolish to hope, foolish to believe that one night could mean more.
Her foot lifted. But before it could touch the floor, William rose from his seat. The movement was too sudden, too decisive, as though he had suspected her decision.
He pushed back his chair, his towering frame commanding attention. And once again, his gaze met hers.
For a heartbeat, the world went still. Then he looked away.
He turned without another word and strode toward the exit. His steps were slow, unhurried, as though all was right with the world.
Sorcha watched him go until he disappeared beyond the doors. Only then did she realize she had been holding her breath.
Air rushed out of her lungs in a shaky exhale. It happened so fast. Her vision blurred the more she blinked, but she held herself together, determined not to crumble in the middle of the hall.
Just like that? Not a word to her? No explanation? Except that he wanted her gone, in front of everyone?
She stood there, her heart splintering quietly in her chest, when arms suddenly wrapped around her.
“There ye are!” Avery chirped, taking her wrist. “Did ye hear? Ye’re free, Sorcha!”
