Chapter 1 - The Rulebook

On the morning after her wedding, Tabitha Vale expected champagne, laughter, and an empty house.

Instead, Evelyn Ashford entered the bedroom carrying a black leather book.

Tyler sat beside Tabitha in his white shirt, his wedding cuff links still on the nightstand. He looked at the book and immediately lowered his eyes.

“What is that?” Tabitha asked.

“Our family rules,” Evelyn said. “Every Ashford bride learns them.”

Tabitha opened the cover. The pages were filled with commands in different inks and different hands.

“Breakfast at six,” she read. “No locked doors. Personal mail is opened in the kitchen.”

Evelyn turned several pages and tapped one sentence with a polished fingernail.

“The daughter-in-law eats last.”

Tabitha stared at her.

“You are joking.”

“I never joke about order.”

Tyler touched Tabitha’s wrist.

“Mom likes traditions. We don’t have to make this a fight.”

“We got married yesterday,” Tabitha said. “Your mother has already scheduled our first fight.”

Evelyn smiled without warmth.

“A wife who respects the house never needs to fight.”

“This is our house too,” Tabitha replied.

“No. It belongs to the Ashford trust.”