A Ruler in Disguise novel · Chapter 18 of 24
Chapter 18: Father's Letter
The flame touched the corner of the envelope, and the paper began to brown.
I crossed the library without deciding to.
I reached Marguerite in three steps, took the burning corner between my thumb and finger, and pinched.
It hurt more than I expected.
I smelled my own skin.
"Miss Broadnax," Marguerite said, with an icy kind of astonishment.
"You can burn the letter," I said, through my teeth, "after you've read it to your son."
"I have read it."
"Then you won't mind."
I pulled.
She did not let go at first.
For one long second we stood on opposite ends of a cream envelope, a florist with a blistered thumb and a woman in navy silk.
Her eyes were so close that I saw the gray in them.
Then Dev said, "Mother."
She let go.
He took the envelope from me and checked my hand first.
"It's fine," I said.
"It's not."
"Read the letter, Dev."
The rest of this chapter is part of the paid portion of the series. Chapters 1–12 of A Ruler in Disguise are free to read — start from the beginning, then unlock the rest with coins in the app.
← Chapter 17 · All chapters · Chapter 19 →
Want to keep talking to characters like these? Chat with AI romance characters: AI Boyfriend · AI Girlfriend · Dark Romance · Fantasy Romance · BL (Boys’ Love) · Billionaire Boyfriend · Mafia Boyfriend · Possessive Boyfriend · Hockey Boyfriend · Older Boyfriend · K-Drama Boyfriend · Anime Boyfriend · Vampire Boyfriend · Werewolf Boyfriend · Demon Boyfriend · Fae Romance · GL (Girls’ Love) · Anime Girlfriend · Goth & Alt Girlfriend · Gamer Girlfriend · Tsundere Girlfriend · Fantasy Girlfriend