Chapter 351. I Would Never Ever Replace Him

The palace felt colder after their fight.

Where Adam’s presence had once filled every corner, now there was only absence, heavy as stone.

Ann moved through the halls wearing her practiced mask. Her performance as Queen was so flawless it could’ve won awards, but every step ached.

The nobles fed on performances like vultures. They savored every scrap of gossip, dissected every look, every pause...anything they could twist into leverage.

They’d smelled the crack between her and Adam like wolves scenting blood. And they didn’t hold back.

“She doesn’t even dine with him anymore.”

“I heard he stormed out of her chambers.”

“If even her consort won’t stand at her side, how can she hold the rest of us together?”

She let it wash over her. Never flinching. Never turning her head. Never giving them the satisfaction. Inside, though, every whisper scraped across the raw wound Adam had left when he slammed those doors behind him.

You wanted a