I didn't know why my body stiffened at that question, but somehow, I was anticipating what Alexander would say. What would he say I was to him?
"This is my… wife, Anna Steele," Alexander casually said, as though the question was something he had expected.
But his words absolutely rubbed me the wrong way. Wife? He was branding me his 'wife' when he warned me never to speak about our 'marriage' in public or to anyone? And to say that he was so nonchalant about the way he said it, as if it was something permanent. It wasn't. It wasn't even real.
I swallowed the sudden anger that kindled in my veins and forced a smile at Mr. Vanvik, whose whole attention was on me.
"You look elegant and beautiful in gold, Mrs. Vaughn," he said warmly.
"Thank you," I replied, keeping my tone as neutral as possible.
Mr. Vanvik shifted his attention back to Alexander, but not without me noticing his warm smile fading away as he addressed Alexander. He looked upset, and I wondered why.
