"Isabella wants bird's nest soup. Go make it."
He barked the order. I read his lips, nodded, and stepped past him without a word.
No complaints. No hesitation.
But his hand shot out, snatching my wrist in a bruising grip.
"Faith, what game is this?"
He yanked me closer. "Before, if I so much as glanced at another woman, you'd burn the house down. Today, Isabella is sitting in my lap, and you're *smiling*?"
His fingers dug into my chin, forcing my face up to meet his glare.
"Do you think playing the obedient wife will make me change my mind?"
I watched his lips shape the cruel words.
Inside, I felt nothing but dry amusement.
*Joshua, you're wrong.*
I'm not calm because I'm trying to win you back. I'm calm because I can no longer hear the venom you spit at me.
Since I can't hear it, why should I let it hurt me?
I gently pried his fingers from my wrist. Typed a quick line on my phone. Held the screen up to his face.
**[Mr. Sawyer, should I add sugar to the bird's nest?]**
Joshua stared at the screen. His face turned an ashen shade of gray.
His phone vibrated. A voice message from Isabella.
I couldn't hear the audio, but I watched his expression soften instantly. The ice melted, replaced by warmth.