After all, his true love was back, and Charlotte was ready to step aside.
An image of Julius - so much like his father - flashed through her mind, making her heart clench.
But she kept her face neutral, waiting for the 'yes' she was sure would come.
Instead, his voice cut through the air, cold and sharp: "Our marriage may have been arranged, but it's been peaceful for five years. There's no need for divorce."
No? She wanted to laugh. How do you plan to marry Sarah without divorcing me first? The words burned in her throat, but she swallowed them down.
"But I don't like you," she said, her voice shaking. "I don't even know you. We can't live like this. Neither of us will be happy."
Arthur's face darkened as his jaw clenched.
In one fluid motion, he crossed the room and pinned her to the bed, looming over her with his face just inches from hers.
Charlotte's heart pounded as she quickly covered her mouth with her hand, staring up at him in shock. "What do you think you're doing?" she mumbled behind her palm.
"Proving that our marriage is fine," he said coldly, his eyes hard.
Charlotte felt sick to her stomach. This was wrong on so many levels.
First, he claims they're just friends with no feelings involved, and now he's trying to kiss her?
Was that all she was to him - something to use when convenient?
The irony made her heart twist painfully.
Fighting back the hurt in her chest, Charlotte met his gaze. "Stop," she said firmly. "I only do this with someone I have feelings for. And I don't have any for you. You can't force this."
There she goes again, claiming she has no feelings for him. It drove him crazy. Something inside Arthur finally snapped.
His face turned stone cold as he pulled back, barely containing his anger.
Charlotte flinched away from him, fear flickering across her face.
Without a word, he stormed out of the room.
The door slammed behind him, and Charlotte let out a shaky breath of relief.
For a moment there, she'd thought he might actually force himself on her.
She sat up slowly, her mind racing with confusion.
If he loved Sarah so much, why wouldn't he just divorce her? It made no sense.
Before she could think it through, someone knocked on the door.
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