Is Paper Promise: The Substitute Bride Novel - Chapter 37

Chapter 37 田 D X I stayed in my room all day . The maids came in and out every hour , Mrs. Bernardeth brought tea twice , and even the gardener showed up with a small vase of violets . With so many visitors , Veronica's diary remained untouched under my pillow - it would be too risky to try to read it now . When evening came , I heard a firm knock on the door . James entered , his shoulders visibly tense under his suit .

His normally haughty face looked haggard , with dark shadows under his eyes that showed he'd had a terrible night's sleep . " How are you feeling ? " he asked , keeping his distance from the bed . I adjusted myself against the pillows , trying to look less fragile than I felt . " I'm tired of lying down . My muscles are begging for movement . But I've never been so spoiled in all my life . " " Everyone was worried about you . " James hesitantly approached and sat on the edge of the bed .

When our gazes met , I noticed that his blue eyes , usually cold . and controlled , now reflected something I'd never seen before - a moist glow of vulnerability , almost of sadness . " Laura , I spoke to my mother , " he said , running his hand through his dark hair . " She was extremely worried about the accident . " I forced a smile , trying to ease the tension . " James , I'm fine . Just a few scrapes and bruises .

I know you worry a lot about scandals , but soon everyone will forget about that . " " Yes , you're fine now , " he agreed , his voice suddenly rough . " But it could have been a fatal accident . The car was completely . ruined . " I looked out of the window . " Accidents happen every day . It wasn't anyone's fault ." James stood up abruptly , walking over to the window with his hands in his pockets .

His jagged silhouette against the twilight sky looked like it belonged to a man much older and wearier than the powerful James Reynolds I knew . " I made you marry me ," he said , each word carrying a weight I had never realized before . " I made you be my chauffeur . If anything more serious had happened to you … His voice faltered . " It would have been entirely my fault . " The silence that followed was so thick it could have been touched .