Chapter 47

Nathaniel

I stand, the chair scraping against the floor. I can feel Anna's eyes pressing on me.

Her eyes narrow. “You agreed to this. You promised.”

I shake my head, the anger bubbling up. “I agreed because you gave me no choice. This isn’t a marriage, Anna. It’s a prison.”

She steps closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. “Then let’s make the best of it. For our child.”

The mention of our child sends a pang of guilt through me. I look away, unable to meet her gaze. “I’ll come back to the party. Just give me a moment.”

Anna nods, her expression softening slightly. “Don’t take too long.”

As she leaves, I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. The reality of my situation crashes over me, causing a tidal wave of regret and despair. But somewhere in the depths of my heart, a spark of hope remains. Maybe, just maybe, I can find a way to make things right.

The next day dawns heavy and grey, mirroring the turmoil in my mind. I pace around the house, my steps echoing off the walls. Eve