The Cradle of Imposters

ated me like fragile porcelain, his every gesture radiating a possessive pride. Margaret, too, softened cons

thundercloud in our su

She saw the shift in James's attention, the subtle ways h

me in the library, oste

hat even if you do have these babies, and even if they ar

r father's love, Chloe," I said cal

t. "You're just trying t

ast, Chloe. I'm sure ther

wed. "We'll se

peace offering – a specially brewed herbal te

family recipe," she said, her smile a

and unfamiliar. My internal alarm bells, the ones ho

f you, Chloe," I said, ta

en set it down. "Actually, I'

ust such occasions. I had a feeling my newfound "luck" would require vigilance. I also had a tiny, button-siz

sults came back two days later: the tea contained a significant concentr

just wished me ill; she had ac

letting her believe her little plot was undetected. I neede

ll, elegant box slip from my purse. It contained the lab report

I said, bending

e now, picked it up.

I said, trying to take it back.

piqued his curiosity. Chloe watche

to a gathering storm of disbelief and fury as he read the report and then,

, smiling sweetly, offe

s absolute, broken only by Chloe'

g mask of rage. He turned sl

voice was dan

stammered, her face pale. "She's trying to frame

," James said, his voice like steel.

o! I wouldn't! She's the one who

the table, making the crys

to your room. And you will pack your bags. You're goi

hast. "No, Daddy, pleas

voice trembling with suppressed violence. "Con

th a grim expression, finally spoke. "James i

James was unmoved. He called for the h

innocence, my gaze met hers. Her eyes we

on. This was only the fi

loe's dramatic departure, a new storm arrived in the

on like a whirlwind, all designe

o him. "I heard about poor Chloe! How

me, my now visibly pregna

gleam ente

purred, though her smil

atherine dropped her own bombshell,

was expertly faked. "There's something you need to k