Reborn I Refuse To Save The Traitors (Margaery) novel Chapter 38

**Whispers Shape Distant Tomorrows by Aren Cole Vale**

**Chapter 38**

The door swung open with a creak, ushering in a frigid gust that sliced through the warmth of the room. The unexpected chill jolted the two figures entwined on the bed, pulling them from the haze of their intimate moment and back into the stark reality surrounding them.

A piercing scream shattered the stillness, echoing off the walls like a gunshot. Tessa, her heart racing, was yanked into full consciousness by the shock. In a frantic motion, she clutched the quilt, wrapping it around her body as if it could shield her from the impending doom. “Avery, shut the door!” she shrieked, her voice laced with panic.

In that moment, a singular thought blared in her mind like a siren: ‘It’s over. Everything is over.’ Their clandestine rendezvous with Dominic had always been shrouded in secrecy, hidden away from prying eyes. But now, exposed in such a compromising position before a gathering of witnesses, the stain on her reputation felt like an indelible mark. She wished fervently for the floor to open up and swallow her whole, to escape the judgment that was sure to follow.

Dominic’s eyes widened in disbelief as he took in the sight of Tessa, huddled and vulnerable in the corner. “Tessa?” he stammered, his voice barely a whisper, as if uttering her name could somehow change the reality of the situation. “H-how is it you?”

Avery stood paralyzed in the doorway, the shock of the scene rendering him unable to move. “Wh-what? The two of you?” His heart raced, pounding against his ribs like a caged animal desperate to escape. A sickening wave of dread washed over him. ‘Margaery? Where is Margaery? It was supposed to be Margaery in here,’ he thought, panic rising within him.

Outside the room, Joshua sensed that something was terribly amiss. Pushing through the crowd that had gathered, he charged up the remaining steps, his voice booming with authority. “What’s happening?” he demanded, his brow furrowed in concern.

The sight that met his eyes was like a punch to the gut. Tessa and Dominic, both exposed and vulnerable, were caught in a moment that felt like a betrayal. His mind reeled, struggling to process the implications. “You!” he roared, fury igniting within him, turning his face a shade of livid. “What on earth are you doing?”

‘It’s ruined. The entire plan is in shambles. We’ve made fools of ourselves, and we’ve brought shame upon the Chancellor’s estate,’ he thought, a wave of hot blood surging into his throat, making his entire body tremble with rage.

“I-I don’t know,” Dominic stuttered, the weight of Joshua’s fury pressing down on him like a physical force. He scrambled to pull on his clothes, his fingers fumbling as he rubbed his throbbing temples, desperately trying to piece together the fragments of the night.

The harder he tried to remember, the more the pain throbbed. “It was Margaery who came upstairs,” he mumbled helplessly, his voice tinged with confusion. “How did it become Tessa?”

Joshua took a deep breath, fighting the urge to lash out at Dominic. Last night, while preparing the concoction, he had specifically instructed Avery to ensure that Margaery would remember nothing upon waking.

Now, Margaery was nowhere to be found, replaced by Tessa and Dominic, both caught in this scandalous act, and both pleading ignorance. The sheer magnitude of the disaster made Joshua feel physically ill.

Tessa’s heart twisted painfully in her chest. ‘What does he mean by “It was Margaery who came upstairs”? Does Dominic think I’m not worthy of being compared to Margaery after what he did to me?’ she mused, anger and humiliation swirling within her.

Furious and desperate to reclaim some semblance of control, Tessa clenched her fists and shouted, “Get out! All of you, get out!” She needed to dress, to shield herself from the prying eyes that had begun to gather. Dominic was mostly covered now, but she remained bare, exposed to the judgment of the world.

The other guests, having recovered from their initial shock, began to murmur among themselves, their whispers slicing through the air like daggers.

“Well now, not Margaery after all?” A curious head poked around the doorframe, eyes wide with a mix of shock and intrigue. “Good heavens, it’s Tessa!”

Tessa felt the heat of shame wash over her, wishing for the ground to open up and swallow her whole. Others, their drunkenness fading into a sobering reality, exclaimed, “Lord Dominic and Lady Tessa? But Lord Dominic is engaged to Margaery, right?”

“Playing a risky game, aren’t they?” one nobleman drawled, a smirk creeping onto his face.

“Judging by those lewd sounds just now, it can’t be their first time,” a young rake observed, casting a glance at Joshua. “Lord Joshua, we knew you hosted a party, but we didn’t expect a live performance. Quite the show, huh?”

“Lord Dominic and Tessa have already crossed the line. And Margaery? Weren’t you saying it was Margaery in there?” another voice chimed in, dripping with sarcasm.

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