The Stand-In Wife's Spectacular Comeback

luminating the greenhouse i

shears left on the soil bench. She gripped the handles until her knuckles tur

erator kicked in. Blinding overhe

froze, exposed in

op

main doors, weapons drawn. They tackled the b

d a thick blanket pulled tightly around her shoulders. Her

m her, flipping his notepad shut.

Clarine said. Her voice was

nged uncomfortable

Maybach stopped at the front steps. He strode through the front

rug, and the police officers. A flicker of shock cross

his tone clipped. "Your wife was nearly k

to the door, his posture rigid. As soon as t

e was hurt. He didn't

ce was a harsh whip. "Do you have any idea what t

man she had loved for three years. The final, de

d Gill family charity gala took p

team had forced her into a conservative, high-necked

lided over with a crysta

ing over Clarine. "I heard you made a fool

her. "Everyone knows Evert spent the whole

nearby turned their heads, whi

mbling with a dark, reckless edge. "Keep talking, Marta. But do you really want to see what a woman with absolutely nothing lef

ace twisted into an ugly scowl. Sh

lked in, wearing a plunging, blood-red dress. She co

ss of pink champagne. "Clarine! I'm so sorry about the m

e glass. She opened

e adjusted his cufflink-his signature warning. His eye

She took the glass from C

later, the

brain. The chandelier lights blurred into

restrooms, intending to force herself to th

. A nearby waiter stepped forward, looking concerned, but Gemma quickly waved him off with a tight smile. "She's having a severe panic attack. Eve

e slurred. Her tongue

er muscles wouldn't obey. Gemma drag

caught a glimpse of Marta. Her stepmother was raising a g

Gemma hauled Clarine's limp body dow

e at the end. Gemma f

taste of blood filled her mouth. The sudden spike of intens

strength, Clarine violen

els twisted. She crashed hard

, but she threw her weight forward. She saw a heavy

r shut, and hit the deadbolt just as Gemm