My Unchosen Ex Chases Reborn Me (Soren and Fiona) novel Chapter 193

Chapter 193 Shadows Between Two Hearts

Chapter 193 Shadows Between Two Hearts

81

+5 Free Coins

Outside, the Zonfrillo Estate carriage still waited at the front steps, lanterns flickering in the early night.

Soren stood with his back to the sisters, one foot on the mounting block. Lilith bowed and whispered, “Lord Soren.”

He turned, his gaze landing not on Lilith but on Fiona. She dipped in a polite curtsy, then raised her eyes–and met a stare colder, more distant, than she had seen from him in months. The unexpected frost made her stop mid–breath.

In that brisk instant she caught the subtler weather behind his expression–impatience, caution–signs he was reassessing whatever they had shared.

Affection, once it trespasses a line, scatters with ruthless speed.

For a man like Soren, anyone striving for the upper hand was already overstepping. Her attempt to tug at his emotions had been just that.

And those born to command never enjoy being led by the nose.

Fiona kept her stance, eyes level with his. Six months of watchful silence had taught her not to remain the perpetual pawn. If she hoped to help Harriet and her own brother, she could not afford passivity.

Soren shifted aside, opening a narrow path. “Ms. Lilith, take Ms. Fiona and go ahead,” he said, the words falling cool and even.

On ordinary days he would have addressed Fiona directly, never singling out Lilith. The choice was deliberate, a clean edge of disregard.

Fiona understood at once. Her little game of half–light, half–shadow had grated on him, and tonight she had lost the round. Perhaps that loss was not entirely unwelcome.

“Thank you, Lord Soren.” Lilith’s gaze flicked between the two, then she squeezed Fiona’s fingers and guided her past him toward the waiting carriage.

As the ladies moved by, Soren looked back over his shoulder. Seeing Fiona mute and unmoved, his expression twisted with something too tangled to name.

“Ms. Fiona, have you nothing to say?” His tone was mild, almost distant.

“Nothing at all,” Fiona answered with a gentle, undisturbed smile.

1/3

12:08 Mon, Oct 20

Chapter 193 Shadows Between Two Hearts

Z

81

+5 Free Coins

“Living for gain alone is no virtue,” Soren replied. He felt not a flicker of sincerity in her–no attempt even to mimic it–only the quiet ambition to bend him, to turn his strength to her

purposes.

Fiona lowered her lashes. “I have only seen that overly sincere ladies seldom meet a kind ending–whether in the life I recall, or during my journey to Yondale.”

“If you had shown a little sincerity, you would already possess everything you claim to seek,” Soren said, the chill in his voice unmistakable.

“I disagree. Only a lady who holds the reins of her own fate ever truly gains what she wants. One day, my lord, you may understand.”

She had already tried–and learned the cost.

Soren’s shoulders sagged, the last spark of expectation guttering in his eyes. He offered no further protest, no final plea. Silence wrapped him like a heavy cloak as he turned from the courtyard.

Beside him, Lilith seized Fiona’s hand and drew her toward the waiting carriage, its lacquered doors yawning open like a promise of escape.

Fiona lifted the curtain for one last look. Soren was already inside. A snap of the driver’s whip, a jolt, and the wheels began to rattle over the frozen cobblestones.

When I first stepped into this new life, I actually believed sincerity would be enough. Reality, however, has been an unforgiving tutor; even Granny cannot be trusted. Only by keeping the reins in my own hands can I hope to escape betrayal.

Lilith squeezed Fiona’s hand, her voice soft against the clatter of hooves. “Fiona, don’t let it weigh on you.”

Fiona gave a small shake of her head, the gesture quiet but unyielding, and let the matter drop.

The mathematics portion of the Six Arts examinations did not take place until a fortnight later.

During those tense days, Fiona rose before dawn and worked until the last candle guttered. She did not set foot outside the Niven Estate. When the final paper was collected, the worry that had cinched her lungs for weeks finally loosened.

Naomi tucked a stray hair behind her ear and laughed the moment they stepped outside the hall. “Fiona, that last problem was fiendish, wasn’t it?” Fiona managed a smile, yet the admission stayed lodged in her throat; there were several questions she had not known how to begin.

2/3

12:08 Mon, Oct 20

Chapter 193 Shadows Between Two Hearts

Naomi’s eyes sparkled. “In a few days we’ve hired the most renowned opera master in Jexburgh. Will you come to the estate and listen?”

An entire month had passed without so much as a note from Soren.

+5 Free Coins

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify