Betrayed By The Hero, Loved By The Lord
Chapter 81: Betrayal (2)

Chapter 81: Betrayal (2)

Fiona paced back and forth in her home. She was nervous about the consequences of the things she had been saying because of Oliver and now there were women he wanted her to meet with to speak about Selene.

It was a lie. It was all lies but when it came from her mouth and everyone was so interested in Selene, it seemed believable.

"She will not forgive me," Fiona muttered, worried about Selene’s reaction.

Fiona could always confide in Selene and expect her secrets not to be told but here she was speaking on something which never happened. It was going to hurt Selene deeply to know these lies were coming from a friend.

Fiona bit at her nails. Oliver promised that no one would question them about it yet he wanted her to meet with ladies who never acknowledged her before. It was bound to get out that the rumours started with them.

"I do not like this," Fiona said.

It wasn’t only Selene they needed to be concerned about but Xavier as well.

Fiona looked at the maid Oliver recently hired to help her with the work around their home. He promised that they would soon have a cook so she wouldn’t tire herself out. Then the gardener would return.

This was all Fiona wanted but it was coming at the loss of a friend and she did not understand who was paying Oliver to speak about Selene.

"This is wrong," Fiona said but she didn’t know how to stop it. It was already getting out of hand and it had only been a day. "I must speak to him."

If Oliver would spend his time looking for better work instead of using gossip to help their finances then they wouldn’t find themselves in trouble.

Fiona walked outside to the garden where Oliver had been kind to get started as he claimed she might start to have guests over.

Fiona nervously approached where Oliver was hard at work. She knew she would see a side of his temper when she asked him to stop this but she had to try.

"Oliver," Fiona called to her husband.

Oliver looked up at Fiona standing near the entrance of the garden. "I hope you aren’t coming to say you want to help me. Go inside and have your maid look after you or is it that you do not like her?"

Gabriel had yet to pay him but Oliver knew in a few days he would have his money. So far, he hired a maid with promises to pay her in three days. He was lucky to find a young woman for work when he was in the market.

"She is wonderful but that is not why I am here. It is about the women you want me to meet with tomorrow. I think," Fiona stopped and stepped back when Oliver stood up. "I don’t think it would be wise for me to sit with them. They are not looking to be my friend. They want to hear all I know about Selene."

Oliver cleaned the dirt from his hands. "So? Once you have shown them how wonderful you are then they will keep you at their side. I am tidying our home so it is presentable for when you have guests. Proper guest."

"Well, I-"

’Fiona," Oliver spoke over Fiona. "Don’t get started with this again. You have enjoyed the new servant and getting to rest your feet. You have been invited to places you dreamed of entering. You must think of yourself instead of a woman who lives on an estate. You have been struggling and now we are fine."

Fiona still didn’t think it was right. "We may offend Lord Blackthorn if we continue to do this. We mustn’t forget who her husband is. I am worried that this might not end how you want it to. You know more than I do the kind of man he is."

"I am not worried about Lord Blackthorn. Someone is supporting us who hates him. All you need to do is help me with my end of the deal and say what you know. We will be fine," Oliver promised.

So many people in town were speaking on Selene so it wouldn’t be easy for anyone to say they started it. Fiona simply decided to join in on the conversations.

"I have done good as your husband to fix our finances for now. If you get close to these women who invite you to their homes then they will put in a good word for me to find work. Then we will be in a good place or better. For once, think of us or does Selene come before me?" Oliver asked, needing Fiona to have sense.

"You are more important. You are my husband after all. I just worry about our safety. Who is it that you are trusting to protect you from Lord Blackthorn? Knowing that would give me some comfort," said Fiona.

Oliver hesitated to share it but since he wanted Fiona to get close to Cassandra he replied, "Gabriel. Before you get upset, know that he has been good to us. If you care for me then you will follow my lead or are you planning to run to her? I’m sure there have been times when she did something you hated."

Fiona gripped her dress as she bowed her head to look at the floor. "She has always been kind to me so it feels wrong to speak about her. I know that you are doing all of this for me so we don’t have to worry about the next day. How can I get rid of this terrible feeling?"

Fiona couldn’t stop the tears. They needed the money but it hurt to join the group of people who turned their backs on Selene after she promised she wouldn’t. She could simply ask Selene for the money and she would get it but seeing how Selene was spoiled now, Fiona couldn’t bring herself to.

For some reason, it was hard to let Selene know of her recent struggles.

Oliver pulled Fiona close to hug her. "You have always thought about her but Selene does as she pleases. As a pureblood, Selene will find a way to survive in this town but we must think about ourselves. She will not always be so kind to help you so you must take this chance to get what you need yourself."

Oliver made Fiona look up at him. "Promise me you will not question this again. That you wish to help me. If you cannot promise me you will not question it again then let us end our marriage today. I can inform one of your relatives to come for you."

Fiona panicked since that wasn’t what she wanted. What was she to do without Oliver? She didn’t think her reluctance to do this would make him speak of ending their marriage.

"I do not want our marriage to end. I will not speak of it again. I must pick out my finest dress to meet with the women. I won’t disturb you any longer," Fiona said, stepping away from Oliver.

Oliver held her hand before she got away from him. "You know that there isn’t anyone in this world who will love and care for you as I do, right?"

Fiona nodded her head. "I know."

She smiled when Oliver released her hand so she could go back inside. As hard as it was to do this to Selene, Fiona could not lose Oliver. She was not as brave as Selene to walk away from a marriage.