Revenge is My Love Language novel Chapter 5

Penelope’s eyes flickered with a knowing glint.

Unlike her naïve younger sister, she was hardly clueless about Mr. Lancaster; she’d made it her business to learn plenty from Aaron.

A glance at Anastasia’s borrowed robe, and then at the tense faces of the staff, told her everything she needed to know.

She put on a show of innocence. “Anastasia, whose clothes are you wearing?”

Anastasia paused. The shift in the room’s mood made everything click into place.

In her previous life, Harrison had indulged her so thoroughly that there wasn’t a single corner of Rosewood Manor off-limits to her. His bedroom had never been sacred ground. So when the housekeeper led her there just now, she hadn’t thought twice.

But this wasn’t her old life. She was new here, practically a stranger to the man whose world she’d just entered.

And Harrison guarded his territory with an iron will. Cleaning his room was a privilege reserved for Mary, and Mary alone.

The realization made her uneasy, but she kept her composure, descending the stairs with a feigned calm until she stood before him.

“Sweetheart, I forgot to grab my clothes when I went to shower, so I borrowed yours. Is that alright?”

Logan’s expression froze.

Had she really just called Mr. Lancaster that? Was something wrong with his hearing?

A heavy silence settled over the room.

Her voice, soft and teasing, landed like a feather on Harrison’s heart. His long fingers, which had been drumming rhythmically on the armrest, stopped abruptly.

His gaze was fathomless as he studied her, saying nothing.

Penelope scoffed inwardly.

How delusional! As if Mr. Lancaster hadn’t seen it all before. There’s no way he’d fall for—

“Yes. That’s fine.”

His deep, velvety voice rippled through the silence.

Every head in the room snapped toward him in disbelief.

Listening to this performance, Anastasia nearly laughed out loud.

Once upon a time, she’d fallen for this exact routine—trusting, even moved by Penelope’s empty words.

In the end, she’d barely made it a day after running away before her family dragged her back and threw her at Harrison’s feet.

And Penelope? She’d rushed to volunteer herself to Harrison. She hadn’t managed to become Mrs. Lancaster, but she’d certainly won Elder Mrs. Lancaster’s favor, and with it, plenty of rewards.

“Anastasia, why aren’t you saying anything?”

Penelope’s patience was wearing thin with Anastasia’s silence.

Hiding her bitterness behind a cool smile, Anastasia replied lightly, “No need. You should go.”

“What?” Penelope blinked, her voice rising. “Are you really going to let Mr. Lancaster down? You—”

“How would I be letting him down?” Anastasia cut her off. “We’re not even together. Besides, Mr. Harrison Lancaster and I have been engaged since we were kids. Isn’t it only natural for me to marry him?”

Looking back, her stepmother had kept her so sheltered and foolish. Aaron had approached her with nothing but an agenda, and she’d been too blind to see it.