Mistress

"Ouch."

Maria winced, her hand flying to her forehead, but her watery eyes never left Charles.

She had played a part in this mess. If she hadn't agreed to Mia’s plan to take her place in the marriage, Mia would have had no choice but to go through with it herself.

Maria was the instigator of this whole affair, and she felt obliged to take responsibility for Charles.

"You are indeed quite handsome," she admitted. A smile broke out on her tear-streaked face. Once she had come to terms with the situation, her spirit had lifted.

"Come on, sit down and eat. You didn't eat much earlier."

She picked up her fork, grabbed a piece of salmon, and put it on Charles' plate.

A low chuckle escaped from Charles . It seemed that his gentle persuasion had paid off, and Maria had come around.

His plan had worked.

Mia deserved some thanks for this.

As Maria ate, she kept adding food to Charles' plate, her amber eyes curling up in delight.

After dinner, Maria stretched, wiggled her fingers, and hopped ont