It might be petty, but it brought out the first smile from me since we started this conversation. Octavius Septimus Stalk, also known as Oss, might be a mean fucker, but he was also a good friend, and the lover of Justin’s brother Hawthorne. Oss had a vicious reputation with his blades, well-earned and constantly practiced.
“Yes, he did.” A cold smile curved my lips. I dared to glance over to admire the pleasing pallor of Justin’s tanned skin.
“I love you, Marbrey. Please remember that.”
“I’ll remember that I heard the news of your baby’s impending birth from my charwoman because you have no spine,” I spat. I might not be the best choice for a duke’s lover, but until now, I had been his choice.
Justin’s expression went from pleading to stern. “You knew about my family obligations when we first got together. I can’t set them aside to follow my heart.”
“Well, good thing I never asked you to. I’m not expecting you to abandon your family, but it would have been nice if you had told me before I learned it from someone else.” I’d stated and restated my complaints for the past hour, and I was tired to the bone.
“But it happened before there even was an us.”
I sighed and rubbed my forehead. “Justin, please leave. I can’t deal with you right now.” I could only hold back my tears for so long, and he didn’t deserve to be an audience for them.
“I’ll await your message.” His cold, stiff voice struck me harder than a slap in the face.
I lifted my chin and met his gaze. “You do that.” Let him wait forever. The sorrow from this failed relationship would haunt me for my remaining years, but I would retain my dignity at all costs.
“Come lock the door behind me.”
Annoying bastard.
Too tired to fight any longer. I trailed after him to my front door like an obedient puppy. My entanglement with aristocracy was never going to have a happy ending. Better I learn that now than after his fourth heir. Oss might be able to fall into bed and in love with a second son, but I had set my sights too high when I tumbled for a lord and singed my wings.
Our relationship might have gone smoother if Justin wasn’t a duke and I wasn’t an ex-street rat who lived only a few tottering, baby steps from squalor. Our current argument had highlighted the differences between us, both social and economic, in a clearer manner than ever before.
Justin opened the front door. I ignored his forlorn backward glance and slammed the door shut as soon as his heels passed the doorframe. Only after I heard him whisper goodbye and the click of his expensive boots walking away did I free my tears.
Harsh sobs burst from my chest. I collapsed against the door, then slid down to the carpet, shaking. Minutes, hours, I lost track of time as I purged my body of every inch of moisture. Eventually, my throat became too raw to continue.
I had wanted Justin to tell me Janet’s words were unfounded, a product of base lies and unsubstantiated rumors.
No one warns you that when you finally touch a star, the heavens punish you for your temerity.
