Chapter 5 - THE MAN WHO SOLD HIS DAUGHTER
Vivien felt as though someone had struck her.
Her father had not simply arranged her marriage to settle debts.
He had knowingly helped create an opportunity for someone to kill Edmund.
“You knew?” she whispered.
Charles shook his head.
“I didn't know he'd try to kill him at the reception.”
“But you knew something would happen.”
Charles looked away.
Vivien's eyes filled.
“You used me.”
“I was trying to save us.”
“No.”
Her voice broke.
“You were trying to save yourself.”
Edmund stepped closer.
“Vivien.”
She turned toward him.
“Don't.”
He stopped.
She looked at her father one last time.
“You let me marry a man you thought might be murdered in front of me.”
Charles began crying.
Vivien walked out.
Outside, she stood beside the car, shaking.
Edmund approached slowly.
“Are you all right?”
She laughed bitterly.
“No.”
He nodded.
“I know.”
She looked at him.
“Why aren't you angry?”
“I am.”
“At him?”
“Yes.”
“At me?”
Edmund frowned.
“Why would I be angry at you?”
“Because my father helped set you up.”
He stepped closer.
“You didn't.”
Tears streamed down her face.
“I didn't know.”
“I believe you.”
She looked into his eyes.
And suddenly, she couldn't hold herself together.
Edmund opened his arms.
Vivien stepped into them.
He held her quietly.
Not as a husband claiming his bride.
May you like
But as a man offering comfort to someone who had just lost the last illusion of her family.
For the first time since their wedding, Vivien allowed herself to feel safe beside him.
