23. He is not a Ryder

BELLATRIX ...

"M-my parents!" My voice trembles, "W-why!?"

Why would he want to see my parents? I agreed to this marriage to keep my distance from them, but he...

"Yes, I'll pick you up in fifteen minutes." He says and hangs up before I can process all of it.

As I stare at the black screen of my phone in a daze, a sudden snap from Stella brings me back. I look up at her; she is waving her hands before my eyes. "What's wrong? Why do you look so pale? It was your new husband, right? What did he say? Did he mess with you? Tell me!" She starts firing questions at me.

Sigh...

"He wants to visit my parents," I murmur.

"That's it?" She scoffs. "You were reacting as if he asked for your kidneys! Come on now, Trix, you're married now. I don't think your family or Neil would harass you anymore." She argues, "What if they bless you now and give you the love you always yearned for? You're married to a Ryder after all."

"He is not a Ryder," I frown. He is Dubov, unlike those arrogant Ryders, and a