The End of a Marriage (Colette and Matheo) novel Chapter 280

Chapter 280

Chapter 47

That evening, just before dinner, Graham stood at the head of the

grand foyer of Thornfield Manor, his presence commanding as he

addressed the gathered household staff. His tone was firm, his words

leaving no room for doubt.

“I have an announcement to make,” he declared, his deep voice

carrying through the high–ceilinged space, silencing the murmurs of

curiosity among the assembled maids, butlers, and footmen. “I’m

getting married. To Isla.”

The words landed like a thunderclap.

For a moment, silence stretched thick and heavy, the only sound the

crackling of the fireplace in the distance. Then, Maggie–bless her

heart–clapped her hands together in delight, her face breaking into a

broad smile. “Oh, that’s wonderful news, Master Graham!” she

gushed, practically glowing with happiness.

But the rest of the staff?

Stunned.

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Shocked.

Wide eyes darted between Graham and Isla, as if they’d misheard, as

if the announcement itself defied logic. Some exchanged furtive

glances, their expressions betraying a mix of disbelief and barely

concealed confusion. A few risked flickering looks of concern, not

daring to voice the questions undoubtedly burning on their tongues.

Isla felt the weight of every single gaze on her. Her skin prickled

under the scrutiny, her stomach twisting in knots. The stares weren’t

just at her; they were at him too. Some of them, she realized, weren’t

just surprised–they were wary.

She swallowed hard, fingers twitching at her sides. Did they think she

wasn’t good enough for him? Or worse… did they think this was some

kind of twisted arrangement rather than a love match?

Graham, however, was utterly unfazed.

If he noticed the stunned silence, the hesitant reactions, or the

lingering tension in the air, he didn’t show it. His confidence was

unwavering, his arrogance absolute. He simply looked over the room

as if daring anyone to challenge him. His expression was unreadable

-cool, composed, as if he’d just announced something as simple as

the weather.

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Graham wasn’t finished. As if dropping the bombshell of their impending marriage wasn’t enough, he went on, his tone calm,

authoritative, and utterly indifferent to the shock still settling over

the room.

“The wedding will take place in three days,” he announced, his voice unwavering. “As soon as the marriage license is valid.”

Another ripple of surprise passed through the gathered staff, but no

one dared to question him.

Three days?

The words echoed in Isla’s mind like a thunderclap. She turned

sharply toward Graham, her eyes widening in disbelief. He hadn’t

mentioned this to her before–not once.

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Three days.

Her heart pounded as the realization sank in. That wasn’t just soon-

it was impossibly soon. Three days meant there would be no time for

the things she had always dreamed of. No grand preparations, no

extravagant white wedding. No weeks spent shopping for the perfect

dress, no walking down the aisle with hundreds of guests watching in

awe.

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There would be no flower arrangements carefully selected to match

her vision, no cake tasting, no time to choose a band to perform

during the reception. There would be no slow buildup of excitement, no whirlwind of planning with friends and family fussing over every

little detail.

There would simply be no time for anything.

Just like that, every childhood fantasy she had once held about her

perfect wedding–the kind all women dreamed of–was being stripped

away without so much as a conversation.

And Graham?

He stood there, completely unbothered by it all. As if the idea that

she might want a say in this had never even crossed his mind. As if it

hadn’t even occurred to him that she might have wanted the kind of

wedding little girls fantasized about–the big white dress, the elegant

ceremony, the celebration that was hers to shape.

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