Adeline's POV

I didn't tell Kayden about the meeting.

That night, lying beside him in the dark, the words sat on my tongue, heavy and burning.

Your father threatened Annabelle. He admitted to killing your mother. He has annulment papers ready.

But I stayed silent.

Because what would telling him accomplish?

He'd confront Russio, father and son would clash, and Russio had made it clear he'd do anything to protect the empire. Including eliminating threats.

Even threats within his own ...