Melody of Strength novel

In the sitting room, Barrett and Viola sat facing each other. The latter dabbed at her tears with a handkerchief, avoiding her husband’s disappointed gaze.

She choked on her words as she tried to explain, “I was overwhelmed with anger that day. I had just returned from my family’s home and saw the Hell Monarch’s princess consort’s carriage leaving our

estate.

“Dear, I was just so upset. I suspected that the people who threw dung at our estate were sent by her. I had no proof, so I only said a few words to her. I didn’t expect her to insult me in return. When I got back to the estate and saw one of the culprits had been caught, my anger led me to order that his arm be broken. I didn’t know the servants would be so harsh and also break his leg.”

Barrett seized on one detail from her words, asking. “Carissa came by Valor Estate yesterday?”

“She definitely didn’t enter the estate,” Viola responded. “But as soon as she left our alley, the person who threw dung was caught. If there had been evidence, I would have exposed her on the spot. Unfortunately. there wasn’t.”

“You argued with her? What did she say?” Barrett gripped the armrests of his chair tightly, his knuckles turning white.

Viola hesitated for a moment. Had he not heard her clearly?

“Dear, I didn’t argue with her, she insulted me.”

Barrett remained still, his demeanor cold. “She doesn’t easily argue with people. She doesn’t even easily speak with others.”

Viola suddenly lifted her head in surprise, looking at her husband as if seeing him for the first time. “What did you say?”

Barrett’s expression remained frosty. “So, what did you say to her? What did she say in return? Did she mention why she came to Valor Estate?”

“She…” Viola’s heart sank upon seeing Barrett’s expression.

Her tone suddenly grew angry as she replied, “She insulted both of us, saying I picked up the garbage she discarded. I couldn’t take it and argued with her a bit. But that person who threw dung at our estate definitely came with her. Otherwise, why would it be so coincidental that she appeared at the same time as him?”

“Garbage?” Barrett’s eyes narrowed, a storm of dark gray swirling within them. “She said that about me?” Viola nodded. “Yes, she said exactly that. I argued with her in frustration, and her people even tried to hit

me.”

She stood up and moved in front of Barrett, then knelt and placed her hands on his knees. “Dear, this reaction of yours–could it be that you have feelings for her?”

As far as Viola knew, Aurora had deceived Barrett into divorcing Carissa. Viola also knew that Carissa had asked the king for a divorce edict. How could a woman who wouldn’t tolerate her husband taking concubines ever truly be the lady of a household?

So, Viola harbored a deep–seated contempt for Carissa.Content from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.

Since joining the Warren family, everyone, including her husband, had treated Viola well, with the exception of Aurora. Barrett had shown her warmth and care, making her believe that he loved her. But now, his demeanor made her question everything.

Barrett slowly took her hand and gently shook his head. “She despises me deeply. Try to avoid provoking her in the future.”

He didn’t answer her question.

Did he have feelings for Carissa?

Viola felt she could tolerate Aurora, but she couldn’t bear the thought of her husband harboring feelings for Carissa, even though she was now the Hell Monarch’s princess consort..

A sudden anxiety gripped Viola. Was her tolerance for Aurora due to her knowledge of her husband’s disdain for that woman? If he didn’t dislike Aurora, then surely, she would be troubled by it, wouldn’t she?

She quickly dismissed the thought. No, she was different from Carissa. She would never be as jealous as her.

petty and

“Dear, you truly have no feelings for her, right?” Viola stood up, still holding his hand, and faced him with tears welling up in her eyes.

Barrett repressed his complicated thoughts and replied, “No.”

He paused for a moment, then added firmly, “Absolutely none.”

Viola threw herself into his embrace, her voice choked with emotion, “Dear, I’m only angry because she views you as garbage. In my heart, you are the finest man in the world. No one is better than you. She definitely brought that person who threw dung at our estate. She insulted you! That’s why I was so enraged when I returned to the estate and had him punished.”

Barrett opened his mouth, his expression conflicted.

The finest man?

He wanted to ask about her late husband.

What about Thomas, who sacrificed himself on the battlefield? Did he hold no place in her heart at all?