---- Chapter 7 Marcus's sleek black sedan was still parked at the curb when | left the Thornes' house. Chloe was inside, dabbing her eyes, but a small, triumphant smile played on her lips. Clearly, Marcus had placated her. Marcus saw me, rolled down the passenger window. "Get in." His voice was flat, a command. "l can get a ride-share," | said, not wanting to be in his presence. "Don't make me repeat myself, Ellie." Firm. Unyielding. | sighed and got in. The leather seats felt cold. In the rearview mirror, | saw Chloe's slightly puffy eyes. Maria's words echoed: *"...her eyes... a little like yours..."* | studied Chloe more closely than | ever had before. There *was* a resemblance. Not an obvious one. But the shape of her eyes, perhaps the color - a specific shade of hazel | hadn't paid attention to - it was there. A subtle echo of my own features. Something I'd never noticed, or perhaps never wanted to notice. Chloe, uneasy under my prolonged gaze, shifted in her seat. "Is my makeup smudged?" she asked Marcus, her voice fretful. ---- Marcus glanced at her quickly, then his eyes darted to me in the rearview mirror. A flicker of something - panic? - crossed his face before it was gone. "No, it's fine, Chloe," he said, his voice a little too quick, a little too reassuring. "Actually, remember that turquoise necklace you admired at the Heard Museum Guild Fair last month? The one by the Navajo artist?" Chloe's attention was instantly diverted. "The big statement piece? Oh, Marcus, did you...?" "| bought it for you," he said, reaching into his jacket pocket. "It's in here. | was going to give it to you tonight." Chloe squealed with delight, her earlier distress forgotten as she unwrapped the velvet box he produced. We arrived back at Marcus's villa on Prickly Pear Lane. As | got out of the car, Marcus walked beside me towards the house. His voice was a low mutter, for my ears only. "Why did you have to tell my parents those lies about getting married?" "It's the truth, Marcus," | said, my voice weary. "It's important to me that they know I'm happy, that I'm moving on." His face hardened. Angered by my persistence, he suddenly grabbed my arm. He pulled me, not towards the main entrance, but towards a small, starkly furnished guest room at the back of the house. It was a room rarely used, sometimes for "reflection" or discipline when | was much younger and had seriously misbehaved. A place of quiet isolation. ---- "You'll stay in here," he said, his voice cold, "and think about your dishonesty. When you're ready to stop these charades, these ridiculous stories about a wedding, you can come out." He pushed me gently inside and closed the door, the lock clicking shut. | sighed. *Fine. One last act of submission. For all the years of care before he turned cold.* | sank onto the hard, narrow bed. | stayed there, the hours crawling by. Overnight. The next day, the lock clicked again. Marcus opened the door. His expression was unyielding. "Have you learned your lesson? No more talk of this fake wedding." | looked up at him, my voice quiet but firm. "I will still talk about it. Because it's real." My knees were stiff from the cramped position on the bed. | walked past him, out of the small room, and went to my own guest room. | started packing the few belongings I'd brought with me from Florence. Marcus followed me, his footsteps heavy in the hallway. He stood in the doorway, watching as | took out an old cardboard box and began filling it with small gifts he'd given me over the years. A small, carved wooden bird from a trip to Sedona. A first edition of a poetry book I'd loved. A silver charm bracelet. A pang of something - regret? loss? - flickered across his face. He couldn't name it, or wouldn't. ---- "What are you doing?" he asked, his voice rough. | looked at him calmly. "Getting rid of things. Clearing out memories. Isn't that what you wanted all those years ago? For me to forget, to move on?" Title: A Princess? No! I'm the Female General! In "A Princess? No! I'm the Female General!" by CrushReel, Adela Taylor, a noble family's daughter, disguises herself as her brother to secure their Duke title by joining the army. Despite facing obstacles, she achieves remarkable success. However, upon her triumphant return, her brother betrays her, setting off a chain of events that will test her resolve and reveal hidden truths. This captivating novel delves into themes of secrets, reincarnation, revenge, murder, and drama. Adela's journey from deception to betrayal is filled with intrigue and suspense as she navigates through a world where power dynamics and family loyalties collide. What sets this story apart is its strong female lead who defies expectations and challenges societal norms in a quest for justice and redemption. Experience the riveting tale of Adela Taylor online at CrushReel and witness the transformation of a princess into a formidable female general.