Elena stared at him quietly… she looked genuinely speechless.
Meanwhile Alaric kept going, unable to stop now that the thoughts had surfaced.
"You were clearly trying to make a place in my life all this time," he said while meeting her eyes directly. "You can't deny that."
A strange silence followed.
Then Elena slowly placed the spoon down beside the stove. When she finally spoke again, her voice sounded exhausted rather than defensive.
"Alaric," she said quietly, "I'm not here to become your friend. Nor do I expect you to suddenly accept me as your wife."
His expression remained cold.
"We both have our own motives to fulfill through this marriage."
"I don't have any motive," he snapped immediately. "This is all you and your fucking family. God knows why my grandfather is even willing to deal with people like the Vaughns."
The words landed sharply between them.
Still… Elena's expression barely changed anymore.
