Chapter 68

Maya’s POV

I was surprised by both his question and the answer I’d blurted out. Why had I said that? Well, it was true: our marriage had finally been consummated. By law, we’d just fulfilled the final requirement of matrimony. Now it would be harder for us to separate—oh crap. No, that wasn’t what I thought. That wasn’t what I’d been thinking last night. It wasn’t some calculated move to make it impossible for him to end our partnership. Or was I subconsciously thinking that?

“Elias, I—” I began, but he cut me off with a patient, forgiving smile.

“No, it’s okay,” he said softly. “That’s not what I meant. I don’t want you to think I only did that for…”

I bit my lip, trying to articulate a reason I didn’t fully understand. What was I even trying to say? Elias sighed, still wearing that gentle expression. He tugg