Manuel closed his hand around the tiny key.

Rosalie watched him carefully.

“You don’t have to help me,” she whispered.

“I know.”

“Then why are you?”

He looked at the scars around her wrists.

“Because I don’t think a husband should watch his wife be afraid of her own father.”

Rosalie almost smiled.

Almost.

Then a sound came from the hallway.

Footsteps.

She froze.

Manuel immediately stepped between her and the door.

Someone knocked.

“Rosalie?”

Emmett’s voice.

Her father.

Manuel looked at her.

“What do you want me to do?”

“Don’t let him see the key.”

The doorknob moved.

Manuel slipped the key into his pocket.

Then he opened the door.

Emmett stood outside.

His eyes immediately went to Rosalie.

“You disappeared from your own wedding reception.”

“I wasn’t feeling well.”

Emmett looked at Manuel.

“You should have called the doctor.”

“I didn’t need one,” Rosalie replied.

Her father’s smile disappeared.

“Of course you didn’t.”

His eyes moved toward the torn portion of her gown.

“What happened?”

“The dress cut her,” Manuel answered.

Emmett’s gaze sharpened.

“That’s unfortunate.”

He turned toward Rosalie.

“Come downstairs. The guests are waiting.”

“No.”

The word surprised even Rosalie.

Emmett stared at her.

“What did you say?”

“I said no.”

For twelve years, Rosalie had never said that word to him.

Not like this.

Emmett’s expression hardened.

“You’re embarrassing me.”

Rosalie looked directly into his eyes.

“For once, I’m not concerned about embarrassing you.”

Manuel stepped beside her.

“She needs rest.”

Emmett looked at him for several seconds.

Then he smiled.

“You’ve been married to my daughter for less than a day, Manuel.”

His voice became colder.

“You should be careful about choosing sides.”

Manuel didn’t blink.

“I already did.”

Emmett walked away.

The moment his footsteps disappeared, Rosalie whispered:

“We have to find out what that key opens tonight.”

Part 3 — The Secret Room

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