TRADING MY CHEATING HUSBAND FOR THE LYCAN KING novel Chapter 121

CHAPTER 80: IF THE WORLD WAS ENDING–2

‘But if the world was ending, you’d come over, right? You’d come over and you’d stay the night…‘

I’m not looking at the crowd anymore. Just Knox. Just his hands on the keys and his eyes on my face and the way he’s hearing every word like I’m speaking directly to him.

‘Would you love me for the hell of it? All our fears would be irrelevant…

The chorus swells, and I let it carry me. Eight years of silence pouring out of me in melody, and for the first time, it doesn’t hurt to be heard.

‘If the world was ending, you’d come over, right?‘

The question repeating like a prayer: if everything ended, would you choose me?

The room has gone completely still. I can feel the weight of a hundred stares, but it doesn’t matter

anymore. Nothing matters except this moment. This song. This new–found voice that rises only higher.

This man who gave me a stage when I asked for one.

Knox plays the final notes as I catch my breath, letting them fade into silence.

For a moment, no one

Then the applause erupts.

No one breathes.

It crashes over me like a wave an

I’m suddenly aware of tears on my cheeks, of Knox rising from the

piano bench, of the way he’s looking at me like I just gave him something precious.

I lean back into the microphone, my voice thick.

“Never let anyone make you forget the sound of your own voice.”

The room erupts again – louder this time, cheers mixing with the applause. I see women dabbing at their eyes. I see men nodding with something like respect.

And then Knox is there, pulling me against him, kissing me in front of everyone.

He kisses me hard enough that I forget we have an audience, and by the time I remember, I don’t care. It’s

a proud claiming. A declaration that needs no words.

When he finally releases me, the room is still cheering. He turns to the microphone with that dry,

unreadable expression that I’ve learned hides everything.

“As you can see,” he says, “I’m clearly only with her for political reasons.”

The room bursts into laughter.

Knox takes my hand and leads me off the stage, and for once remember I feel like I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.

for the first time in longer than I can

CHAPTER BO THE WORLD WAS ENDING–2

“That was quite the performance.”

The voice slithers through the well–wishers, and my good mood evaporates instantly.

Rafael.

He’s standing at the edge of the small crowd that’s gathered around the piarro, drink in hand, expression perfectly pleasant. But his eyes are sharp watching Knox’s hand still intertwined with mine.

“Montenegro.” Knox’s voice goes flat. “Enjoying the ceremony?”

“Very much. The entertainment has been particularly impressive tonight.” Rafael’s gaze slides to me, lingering in a way that makes my skin prickle. “You have a beautiful voice, Ember. I had no idea you were so talented.”

“Thank you.” The words come out stiff, automatic.

“In fact, I think you’ll have to perform like that at our dinner.” His smile widens, all teeth. “It would be a shame to waste such chemistry on a single audience.”

Knox goes very still beside me.

“Our dinner,” he repeats slowly.

“Didn’t Ember mention it?” Rafael’s eyebrows lift in mock surprise. “We ran into each other earlier today. I

extended an invitation for you both to join me for dinner sometime. A peace offering, if you will. A chance

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify