The Beginning Of All Sins

“You spilled tea on your dress?” Tyler repeated skeptically. “Tell me how that happened.”

Olivia felt a sense of dread. She hesitated for a moment before replying, “It was an accident. Someone bumped into me.”

Tyler didn’t seem convinced. He continued to stare at her.

“I… I’m tired. I want to take a nap,” she added hastily, trying to change the subject.

Olivia had intended to change out of the tight dress Sophie had gotten her, which was rubbing against her injury and causing more pain. She grabbed her nightwear and headed to the bathroom.

But Tyler seemed to interpret her actions differently. “Why did you take off your wedding ring for lunch? Because you’re worried that Claude would notice?”

Olivia froze, meeting his cold gaze. “I had lunch with Sophie!” she protested.

“And you need to change after that?” He marched into her room. “I thought I made it clear. You can associate with anyone–except him.”

Although his tone was slightly softer, his eyes betrayed his true feelings. “You’re not the same person you used to be. Remember your role here.”

Olivia was shocked. She finally understood what he was insinuating. “Do you… Do you really think I

would…?”

He raised an eyebrow as she gripped her dress tightly, trembling.

“Go take a bath. Clean yourself up,” Tyler said.

“The reason I changed has nothing to do with Claude or what you’re accusing me of!”

“No need to explain. I’ll talk to your family about this matter.”

Her family?! It felt like she was being punished for a crime she didn’t commit!

Olivia stepped in front of him. “I didn’t sleep with him!” Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

Tyler stopped and looked at her.

“What do you take me for? Why are you acting like this is who I am?” she demanded. “I didn’t want any of this! So why are you treating me like I did? What did I do wrong? Tell me! Is it my fault our relationship has come to this?

“And what if I do like Claude? What’s wrong with that? Don’t I have the right to love who I want, or is being your pretend wife some kind of prison?!” she shouted, her emotions breaking through. Tyler stared at her blankly.