“I loathed him so intensely that it was almost unbearable. But strangely, I felt no resentment toward our child. Despite how much I despised it, I found myself wishing to bestow House Thisse’s name upon our offspring. I realized I must be as worldly as the next person.”
As Chloe discreetly dabbed her tear-streaked face with a handkerchief, Gilles responded in a hushed whisper, “Please don’t say such things, Lady Chloe. You merely wished the best for your child.”
“Yes, though none of it matters now.”
Seeing her force a smile, Gilles clenched his hands into fists. It pained him to see her shouldering every burden alone, and his inability to help left him feeling utterly powerless.
“What if you were to start anew with me?” Gilles asked.
Chloe looked at him in surprise. Seeing him avert his gaze, she realized it must have taken a great deal of courage to utter those words.
