The Perfect Lie

pte

her hand tremble. The woman in the mirror was Claire's blonde loveliness,

ge was

ame into their bedroom, wrapping his arms arou

Not Lena.

is is me?" Her voice was light

on her temple. "Of course, l

't the problem

ll too perfect. And perfection, she was s

-

orning air. Ethan sat at the breakfast table, reading the newspaper as he always did, a portrait o

s Clair

without looking up. "You b

said, frow

up the silver fork

ce was gentle, but there was something undernea

mile. "Guess I

ng circles over her wrist. His to

ought the urge

sweetheart," he whispered. "

g down at her plate. It was

ght not be able to hide wh

-

said. But today she was in the study, raking th

saying stop. He would be

rt of her cont

one at the far end of the drawer. She pushed th

issed

-3 DAY

bed her. Julia.

ling her. Which meant Juli

anced the c

en

y dropped

doorway, his expr

-

to the phone, the

ough my desk?" His voice

"I-I saw my friend's

d toward her, releasing the phone f

ing her cheek. "We've talked about this. Julia-s

th caught.

and last had hurt him. "You were in a terrible accident, love. You

o. That hadn't b

keep this for now, okay? It's bet

, warm an

t. Because that was wha

ths of her, so

idn't recall

-

, she drea

ing her down. A voice voice-shriekin

asping, drenc

waist. "Shh, sweetheart," he mu

ed at the

g? Or had she a