Zeraida's greatest mistake was beginning to pay closer attention to her husband's quiet habits. Until recently, classifying Xaviere had proven relatively simple for her sharp mind. He was arrogant, controlling, emotionally unavailable, and irritatingly accustomed to receiving total obedience from everyone around him.
Unfortunately, that convenient assessment was becoming increasingly difficult for her to maintain as the weeks unfolded.
She first noticed the crack in his icy facade one quiet morning near the main estate garages. An elderly gardener had accidentally clipped the passenger door of one of Xaviere's imported sports cars with a loaded steel maintenance cart.
The terrified worker apologized repeatedly, his hands trembling visibly as he stared at the fresh scratch. Xaviere merely stepped forward, casually inspecting the damaged paint before stepping back.
"Have the garage manager arrange for repairs," Xaviere instructed in his usual flat tone.
