Chapter 4

Kaya walked into the formal dining room. The massive crystal chandelier cast a warm, golden glow over the long oak table, which was already set with heavy silver cutlery and crystal wine glasses.

Eleanor sat at the head of the table. Imelda Maddox, Grady's mother, sat to Eleanor's right, casually flipping through a glossy fashion magazine.

Kaya walked to her designated seat on the left side of the table. She sat down, keeping her back perfectly straight, her hands resting elegantly in her lap.

A minute later, Grady and Jasmine walked into the room. They were laughing. Jasmine was clinging to his bicep, whispering something in his ear.

Grady pulled out the chair next to Kaya and sat down. A wave of his expensive cedarwood cologne washed over her. Kaya didn't turn her head.

The maids entered silently, placing the first course of seared scallops in front of everyone.

Kaya picked up her fork, her bandaged hand throbbing painfully under the table. Every pulse of her heartbeat sent a fresh, sharp wave of fire across her knuckles, a constant, physical reminder of the morning's humiliation. She kept her eyes glued to her plate, chewing slowly, making herself as invisible as possible.

Suddenly, Imelda dropped her magazine onto the table. Her sharp, manicured finger pointed across the table.

"Well," Imelda drawled, a smirk playing on her lips. "Look at that."

Kaya paused. She looked up. Imelda's eyes were locked directly on Kaya's neck.

When Kaya had tilted her head down to eat, the collar of her silk blouse had shifted open just a fraction. It exposed the hollow of her collarbone. Right above the bone was a small, bright red mark.

It was a splash burn from the hot soup earlier, but against her pale skin, it looked exactly like a fresh hickey.

"Grady," Imelda chuckled, taking a sip of her wine. "You need to learn some restraint. You can't leave marks on your wife where the elders can see them. It lacks decorum."

The clinking of silverware stopped. The air in the dining room instantly thickened.

Everyone's eyes snapped to Kaya's neck.

Grady froze with his fork halfway to his mouth. He stared at the red mark on Kaya's skin. His brow furrowed in deep confusion.

He hadn't touched her. He hadn't kissed her neck. Where the hell did that come from?

Across the table, Jasmine's face drained of all color. Her eyes widened in horror, staring at the red mark as if it were a venomous snake. Her hands gripped the edge of the table so hard her knuckles turned white.

Kaya looked at Imelda. She felt Grady's confused stare burning into the side of her face. She saw Jasmine vibrating with pure, unadulterated jealousy.

Kaya didn't reach up to cover the mark. She didn't open her mouth to explain that it was a burn.

Instead, she slowly lowered her eyelashes. She bit her inner cheek to force a faint blush to her cheeks. She let a small, shy smile touch her lips, and she looked down at her lap.

It was the perfect picture of a bashful, loved wife.

Eleanor slapped the table in delight. "Oh, leave them alone, Imelda! They are young and healthy. At this rate, I'll be holding my great-grandson by next Christmas!" The old woman's laughter echoed off the high ceiling.

Jasmine let out a sharp, ragged breath.

She suddenly shoved her porcelain plate forward. The ceramic scraped loudly against the wood.

"This steak is too tough!" Jasmine whined loudly, her voice shrill. "I can't chew it. I want Boston lobster."

It was a ridiculous demand. The main course hadn't even been served yet, and the kitchen hadn't prepared lobster.

But Grady immediately snapped out of his daze. He looked at Jasmine's pale, furious face.

"Helen!" Grady called out, waving his hand. "Tell the chef to steam some fresh lobster immediately."

"Yes, Mr. Maddox," the maid scurried away.

Grady reached across the table and grabbed the platter of snow crab legs. He picked up a silver cracking tool. Right there, in front of his wife and his family, he began meticulously cracking the crab shells.

He pulled the sweet white meat out, carefully removing the soft cartilage, and placed the pieces directly onto Jasmine's plate.

"Eat this for now," Grady said softly, his eyes full of endless patience.

Imelda and Eleanor didn't blink. To them, it was just a brother spoiling his adopted sister.

Kaya watched him peel the crab. She felt absolutely nothing. The anger was gone. The sadness was gone. There was only a cold, clinical observation of a man she no longer knew.

Kaya swallowed the last bite of her scallop. She picked up her linen napkin and elegantly dabbed the corners of her mouth.

She placed the napkin on the table and stood up. "Excuse me. I am full."

Without waiting for a response, she turned and walked out of the dining room.