The End of a Marriage (Colette and Matheo) novel Chapter 261

The End Of a Marriage

Chapter 261

Isla’s heart sank, her last shred of hope crumbling into dust. Tears

blurred her vision as she looked up at him, searching his face for even

a hint of compassion. But there was none. He wouldn’t budge.

“I—you once said…” Isla began, her voice trembling, but her resolve

wavered under the weight of his dark, piercing gaze. She took a shaky

breath, forcing herself to continue. “Is this because I refused your

marriage proposal?”

The words echoed in the room, heavy and sharp. She hadn’t intended

to sound so blunt, but what choice did she have? Graham had once

warned her if she didn’t accept his terms, he would sell Thornfield Manor, leaving her and the staff with nothing. She needed to know if this was vengeance, a cruel game to punish her for turning him down.

Graham didn’t respond immediately, but his reaction spoke volumes. His body stiffened, his jaw tightening as though she had struck him. His eyes, usually so composed, darkened with something between fury and disbelief. It was as if her words had pierced through the

carefully built wall of control he had maintained.

When he finally spoke, his voice was like ice, each word measured and cutting. “I don’t wish to speak about this,” he said, his tone low and dangerous. Then, louder, sharper: “Get out, Isla!”

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The threat in his voice was unmistakable, a warning she should have

heeded. But she was desperate now, far past the point of retreat. The

thought of losing Thornfield Manor–the only place that still felt like

home–was unbearable.

“Please, Graham,” she pleaded, her voice breaking as tears welled in

her eyes. “If I agree to the marriage… will you please rethink your

decision to sell?” Her hands clasped together as if she were praying

for a miracle, her gaze begging him for even the smallest glimmer of

hope.

For a moment, there was silence. Then, slowly, Graham’s expression shifted, his fury simmering just beneath the surface. What she hadn’t

expected was the cruel smirk that curled at the corner of his lips, nor

the cold, sharp laughter that escaped him.

“A marriage?” he echoed mockingly. “You’re offering to marry me

now?” His voice dripped with disdain, and his smirk widened into

something almost sinister. “That train left the station, darling.

Months ago. In case you haven’t noticed.”

Isla’s breath caught in her throat as his words hit her like a slap.

“Graham, I’m serious,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “I’ve

thought about it–what happened in New York–and I know now that I

want to-”

But before she could finish, he cut her off with a bitter laugh, one

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that sent a shiver down her spine. He stepped closer to her, his eyes

scanning her face with an unsettling intensity.

“Want to what?” he sneered. “Marry me? Be my wife?” He shook his

head, his expression filled with mockery. “Do you know why I asked

you to marry me in the first place? It wasn’t for love, Isla. It wasn’t

even for companionship. I wanted you–wanted you–so badly that I

was willing to put a ring on your finger just to get you into my bed.”

The words hung in the air like poison, and Isla’s stomach turned.

“You,” he continued cruelly, his gaze roving over her in a way that

made her feel small and exposed, “were this young, innocent thing.

Untouched. Pure. And I wanted you so much, I was willing to pay the

price of marriage for it. I thought it was a fair exchange–you’d get my name, my protection, and I’d get the privilege of having you warm

my bed whenever I pleased.”

Isla’s chest tightened, her vision blurring with tears. She couldn’t

believe what she was hearing, couldn’t believe that the man she had

secretly loved for so long was capable of such cruelty.

“But then,” Graham continued, his voice turning colder, “I realized

how foolish I was. I was so blinded by lust, so frustrated, that I let my

brain stop functioning. And now?” He laughed bitterly, shaking his

head. “Now, I wouldn’t marry you if you begged me. I’m not

interested anymore, Isla. Not in marriage, and certainly not in you.”

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The cruel smile on his face felt like the final blow, and Isla staggered

back as if she had been physically struck. Her hands trembled at her

sides, and her chest ached with the weight of his rejection.

“Graham, you don’t mean that,” she said, her voice thick with tears.

“You can’t mean that.”

“Oh, I mean it,” he said sharply, his voice firm and unyielding. “And

you know what? Since you’re so desperate to save this place–so

willing to do anything–let’s make a deal.”

Her heart sank. The way he said “anything” made her feel like it was a

curse, like she was being dragged into something dark and

inescapable.

“Spend the night with me,” he said, his tone casual but laced with

venom.

“Wha–what?” Isla’s voice was barely above a whisper, her mind

reeling. She must have misheard him. He couldn’t mean—

“You heard me,” Graham said, his eyes locking onto hers with a cold,

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