TRADING MY CHEATING HUSBAND FOR THE LYCAN KING novel Chapter 116

CHAPTER 78: PETTIEST KING–1

EMBER’S POV

“Absolutely not.”

Rayana’s voice carries through the penthouse like a wounded opera singer hitting her death note.

She’s propped up in bed, surrounded by her army of pillows, looking considerably healthier than she did

this morning but apparently not healthy enough to let us leave in peace.

“You cannot both abandon me,” she continues, pressing a hand to her chest like she’s auditioning for a

Victorian melodrama. “I am injured. I am vulnerable. I am a dying woman left alone in a strange place with

strangers who don’t understand my needs.”

“The nurse understands your needs,” Knox says flatly. “She’s a medical professional.”

“She doesn’t know my history. My complications. My very specific medication schedule.”

“Your medication schedule is written on a chart. On the wall. In large print.”

Rayana waves a dismissive hand. “Charts can be misread. What if there’s an emergency? What if my

stitches tear? What if I start bleeding again and no one notices until it’s too late?”

“Then Nathaniel will notice,” I say. “He’s staying to oversee security.”

“Nathaniel.” She says his name like it’s a species of insect. “The man who looks at me like I’m a threat

assessment rather than a person.”

“That’s because you are a threat assessment,” Knox mutters.

“Knox, darling.” She shifts tactics, her voice going soft and wounded. “Surely you understand. We have history. You know my body better than any nurse ever could. You know when something is wrong just by looking at me. Remember that time in Santorini when I had that reaction to the shellfish and you-”

“I remember you being dramatic about a mild stomachache.”

“I was in agony.”

“You were fishing for attention.”

“I was near death.”

“You had gas, Rayana.”

I have to press my lips together to keep from laughing.

୮

Knox catches my eye and something sparks between us – shared amusement, shared exhaustion, shared

determination to not let this woman win.

“The point is,” Rayana presses on, undeterred, “you have an instinct for my wellbeing. An awareness. It would be irresponsible for you to leave me with people who lack that… connection.“.

CHAPTERZA PETTIEST KING 1

+25 Points

The connection where I can tell when you’re faking symptoms for attention?” Knox raises an eyebrow.” You’re right. That is a specialized skill.”

Rayana’s eyes narrow. She switches targets.

“Ember.” Her voice turns sisterly, conspiratorial. “Surely you understand. Woman to woman. You know

what it’s like to be unwell and afraid. To need familiar faces around you. To feel abandoned by the people who should care for you.”

“I do know what that’s like,” I say pleasantly. “Which is why I arranged for a highly qualified nurse and the

head of Knox’s security to stay with you. You’re welcome.”

“But-”

“Rayana.” Knox’s voice cuts through her protests. “We’re going to the closing ceremony. You’re staying

here with professional care and round–the–clock security. This isn’t a negotiation.”

“Fine.” She folds her arms, sulking. “Go. Enjoy your little party. Leave me here to suffer alone. I’m sure I’ll

survive. Probably. Unless something terrible happens, in which case I hope you’ll both be able to live with the ‘guilt.”

“I’ll manage,” Knox says dryly.

“The guilt will haunt you forever.”

“I’ll add it to the list.”

“You’re a cruel, heartless man, Knox Volkov.”

“So I’ve been told.” He turns to me, and the ice in his expression melts into something warmer. “Ready?”

“Almost.” I smooth down the front of my dress – a deep burgundy thing Queenie helped me pick out, fitted in ways that make me feel powerful rather than exposed. “How do I look?”

Knox’s gaze travels down my body slowly, sensually, taking his time in a way that makes heat pool in my

stomach.

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