CH.19

Mom and Dad were beaming and looking for all the world like proud parents watching their daughter's fairytale romance unfold. If only they knew the truth about the snake I'd married.

"Well, it's wonderful to see you, son," Dad declared heartily before striding forward to clap Karl on the shoulder. "We were just telling Lavinia how lucky she is to have a caring, attentive husband like yourself."

A muscle ticked along Karl's jaw, but his smile didn't falter when he gave a modest shrug. "Luck has nothing to do with it, I'm afraid. I'm simply doing my best to dote on my wife the way she deserves. Isn't that right, my dear?"

The endearment was like acid on my tongue, but I obediently nodded and forced myself to meet his eyes. "Of course. Karl takes wonderful care of me."

"As he should!" Mom tutted. She looked somewhat misty-eyed as she watched us together. "A husband should always put his wife's needs first, after all."

Karl's arm tightened fractionally around my waist. It was just enough