"Say something," Juniper whispered desperately to Dominick. But he didn’t even glance at her. His silence spoke louder than any words could.
Raiden’s voice broke the silence. "From here on, this becomes a family matter. We’ll discuss it privately," he declared. "The council session is concluded for today."
He stood and exited the hall, his robes trailing behind him, followed in silence by the remaining council members.
As the great doors closed, Idris rushed forward and threw his arms around his sister. Zilia knelt slightly, wrapping him in a tight embrace and gently patting his head.
"Take Idris and go," Casaio said. Zilia nodded in understanding and led her brother out of the hall.
Once they were gone, Juniper turned to Gabriel, her composure quivering. "Gabriel, you’re making a mistake," she said, her voice trembling with anger.
"Don’t lecture me about right and wrong," Gabriel replied sharply. His gaze locked onto her as she stepped closer. "You received an envelope earlier, didn’t you? Nick," he looked to Dominick, "find out what was in it."
Juniper blinked, startled. "What? There was no envelope."
"There was," Gabriel countered. "One of my men spoke to the servant who delivered it. Don’t lie to me, Juniper." His eyes burned with fury.
Dominick turned without a word and walked toward their chamber, leaving the growing storm behind him.
"Nick! Nick!" Juniper called after him, her voice echoing through the hall. But he didn’t look back.
Gabriel’s hand shot out before Juniper could react. "Gabriel, you’re destroying my marriage," she gasped as his fingers closed around her throat.
She clawed and kicked her legs in the air. "Agh!"
"Gabriel, leave her!" Casaio barked, stepping forward.
Gabriel didn’t heed him. In an instant Juniper’s back slammed into the wall. Her nails raked down his knuckles, but his grip only tightened, cutting off her words.
"You destroyed your own marriage, June," he snarled. "You think I let you get away with what you said about Noah? Once Nick rejects you, I’ll finish what I started. I don’t make idle threats."
Casaio lunged and yanked Gabriel’s hand away. Juniper sagged forward. Her lungs burned as her fingers traced at her own throat as she sucked in air. She leaned against the wall as her body shivered.
"How could you do that to her?" Casaio demanded. "Apologize."
Gabriel flinched as if struck. He stared at Juniper for a long second, something like regret flickering and dying in his eyes.
"Don’t get involved, Cas." Gabriel jabbed a finger in Casaio’s direction with a serrated edge. "She doesn’t deserve your courtesy. There’s no guilt in those eyes. Because of her, you and Zilia would already be torn apart. Idris will be tormented at school because of her. Don’t waste your pity."
Casaio stepped between them. "She’s a woman and Dominick’s wife. You don’t speak to her like that. Apologize to her, else I’m telling Amelie what you did."


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