Married to the Man Who Killed Me

a's Jo

ng, an hour before we were du

coming,

was immediat

What game are you play

e, contorted with fury. Good. Let him feel

for breath, I spoke,

new term

insane? You agreed!

haven't signed the final agre

Olivia? Money? The

Ethan. One mont

what?" He soun

me. You participate. No arguments. No Chloe tagging along. Just you and me. Y

ar him breathing he

ces? What

Do we have a

ce. Desperate for Chloe. He'd s

out. "And then you sign, no

rd," I

What's the first... task?" He s

Preservation Society G

ore he could

or. Ethan had to be there for appearances. H

face a thundercloud. He looked impeccabl

but classic. And a new headscarf, silk, patterned in soft blues a

with," he muttered,

t, invisible wife. He barely spoke to me, his attention constantly scanning the ro

atively unknown artist. It was beautiful, serene. A small cottage by a windswept sea. It

nging for a peace I

foolish leap. Was he... buying it for me? A peace offering? A

ted him. He smiled, a genuine, pleased sm

me, but to his pho

warm, intimate. "I got it. The p

ly reached for his arm, froze.

ourse. It was always for Chloe.

e now seemed to mock m

ous to the devastation he'd

w?" he snapped. "You look

y, blindly pushing through the glittering

me out to

is your problem?" he

han." My voice wa

me why you're acti

nd. "You buy a painting for your mistress,

y uncomfortable. "It's just a paint

ree. "Yes, I suppose I am. Co

leaving him s

ding success. For him, a

just another

to. He was probably celebrating his victory wit

exhausted me more than I cared to admit

he called. His v

ur little list, Olivia?

"The Hayes ancestral h

What for? That cr

e, Ethan. Part of the leg

g sound. "Fine. Newport it

hun

dication. A few changes of

suitcase from my hand. An unconscious gesture of care, perha

t," he observed,

uch I need any

atch the do

e airport, his phone rang. Chloe, of

way from me, already walking towards his study for privacy. "Wha

oment later, his

Chloe's sick. I

at me. He did

ust

alone in the hallway

ai