Deceptive Desires Read Online Free

bedroom to meet her mother on the landing.
     
    “Where’s Margot?” asked Tracey.
     
    “She’s not coming.”
     
    Tracey’s lips pursed, but she nodded. “I can’t blame her. She so hurt and disappointed by your behavior, just like the rest of us.”
     
    Molly closed her eyes in an attempt to control the urge to reply. She’d done nothing but argue with her mother since the morning after, but nothing had changed. Nothing would change, except her entire life, at least for the next few weeks.
     
    Her father waited at the bottom of the stairs, and he tucked her arm into his. Giving her a reassuring smile, he said, “It will work out. You’ll soon see this is the best resolution to the problem.”
     
    She couldn’t summon even a shaky smile, but she nodded. At least he wasn’t acting as cold to her as her mother and sister. Once she’d capitulated about the marriage, he seemed to have gotten over a lot of his anger. She knew his forgiveness would be complete as soon as she signed the marriage license.
     
    Hoping against hope that Aronne wouldn’t be standing in the salon with his brother, parents, and a justice of the peace, her stomach clenched when she saw him. He wouldn’t have been able to get out of it either, though he’d probably spent the last few days trying to find a way.
     
    Cristiano stood at his side, looking relaxed where the elder Giannises were tense. Her gaze met Aronne’s, and she shivered at the ice she found there. It was physically painful to meet his eyes, and she looked away. She could almost feel his rejection as she stepped up beside him. Her groom made no move to touch her, which stung, though she knew it shouldn’t matter. He must hate her, and how could she blame him?
     
    The justice of the peace was an older woman, and she sped through the ceremony. When it was time for Aronne to repeat his vows, the small collection of guests seem to collectively hold their breath as he took her hand, holding a gold band. His eyes burned with recriminations when he said, “I promise to take Molly as my lawfully wedded wife, for sickness and health, and better or worse. Not that things could get any worse,” he said sardonically. He had completely skipped over the section about loving, honoring, and cherishing her. After a brief hesitation, the justice of the peace turned to Molly.
     
    Molly barely kept from bursting into tears as she tried to repeat her vows. Like him, she skipped the love, honor, and cherish. When the celebrant indicated they should kiss, his lips barely touched her cheek before he stepped back. They followed her over to sign the marriage license, and he stalked out of the room as soon as it was done, even before their fathers had a chance to sign as the witnesses.
     
    Torn, Molly finally went after him, needing to tell him her plan for the annulment. He went straight to the guestroom her father had insisted he use the past four days, apparently to keep him from fleeing. The door slammed behind him, and she opened it without knocking. “I need to talk to you.”
     
    “Get out.”
     
    Ignoring him, she closed the door. “I have an idea how to fix this.”
     
    Aronne turned on her, striding forward to grab her upper arms. He shook her slightly. “Fix this? You can never fix this, Molly. My parents have no respect for me. I have no respect for myself. I let a pale substitute sway me.”
     
    She frowned in confusion. “I don’t understand.” When he didn’t elaborate, she said, “I’ll be eighteen in a couple of weeks. We’ll file for an annulment, and that will be the end of this.”
     
    Aronne scowled. “Are you really that naïve? My father has already made it clear I will be out of the family if I divorce you in the near future.” A hard laugh escaped him. “I had to promise to stay married to you for at least two years, to give our marriage a fair chance.” He raked her with his contemptuous gaze. “As if there is a chance in hell I will stay