69 - Eva.

I pace the floor of Oak's cottage, waiting for him to get off the phone with his contact.

Although our new arrangement means that the blackmailer has nothing, not once we announce that we're married. Oak intends for me to move in with him at the cottage for the rest of the year, as we will be husband and wife.

The priest has already been called to wed us before school starts again. If we are going to pull the wool over my parents' eyes, we have to act fast. They haven't even contacted me over the Christmas period, which isn't surprising. Half the time, they seem to forget I exist, even though they believe I'm important for the future of their clan.

Oak's betrayal hurt me more than I can explain. I'm still angry at him about what he did to me and his intention to use me as collateral in his quest for vengeance. It all made sense, though, once he explained everything. My parents tore apart his world, so I guess it's only natural to want to make them pay.

He appears from the study, a gra