The Stand-In Wife's Spectacular Comeback

eep breath, but the air in the Long Island estate always felt too thin. He

hite silk nightgown. It was the exact style Evert demanded. The exact style Cora u

this marriage erase her. She was nothing b

pooled at her feet. Underneath, she wore a black lace bra she had secretly custom-ordered. Tonight was

n Aston Martin engine vibra

hed. She dug her fingernails into her palms, using the sh

lway. Each thud felt like a hammer striking

ght the winter chill with him, mixed with the sharp

e walked toward him, reaching out t

, stepping sideways. Her

the black lace. The muscle in his jaw feathe

pe. "You are a decoration, Clarine. A pacifier for

way, her throat tight. "It's our third anniversary, Evert. I

reached into his suit pocket, pulled out a folded docu

eak, a soft, melodic ri

. Clarine's face drained of

ened. "Cherie? What's wrong? Calm down, I'm here." His voice

ded the call. He turned his back to Cl

ert ordered without looking at h

r click

carpet. She wrapped her arms around her stomach as si

he bedroom walls

th leading to the remote glass greenhouse. The biting winter chill seeped through her soles, sending sharp needles of pain up her

ed against the glass panels. Clarin

in the greenhouse flickered

stood on end. Over the roar of the ra

shat

el at the far end of the greenhouse. The harsh, blindi

ream. Her lungs burned. She dropped to her hands and kne

rity panel?" a gruff v

roken glass. They were wa

r coat pocket. The screen lit up. It felt like a beacon in the

so fast it blurred into a continuous, painful

. One. Two. Th

th heavy irritation. Soft jazz music played in t

with a desperate sob. "There are men in the gre

eaker. "Are you out of your mind? You're

ain?" Cherie's high-pitched, breathy vo

, Clarine," Evert snapped. "

ne wen

flashlight beam swept inches over her head. The panic in her chest sudd