Deirdre took a deep breath and held her head high with effort. "Isn't this normal? Ever since I married Brendan, I've been nothing but a joke. He doesn't love me. He sees me as a substitute, and maybe we developed genuine feelings along the way, but—"

"But he has forgotten about that connection," Ryker replied, smiling.

Deirdre clenched her fists. "Yes."

"I never expected your emotions to be so turbulent. I apologize. I didn't intend for it to be this way. Alas, to achieve my goals, I must pr