The Secret Husband's Payback

r of something unreadable in her

eathless. "Well, good. That

aby is born, after things settle down with River's career, we

heap lie to kee

e clung to that. This

I said. "Whatever

ready elsewher

ter

mpany. They' d approached me months ago, a tentative

was a

"amicable settlements," I was alr

e said, relief making her voic

her ambition, her needs, her

m

e tomorrow," I said, preempting he

to rush..." she started,

precise. Protect my family. Get

blur of forced smil

am firm. They were stil

David and Sarah, an

at Sera and I were splitting, that I had a new opportu

era, of course. They' d l

my eyes, the shadows I coul

han," Dad said, his ha

a long, silent embra

, started researching

bedrock. This time,

er Stone

, the one where every note of Se

ket and smirking arrogance, a gu

vous energy about her as

bit," she said, avoiding my eyes. "It's..

e doorframe of the mast

d, looking around with an owner

at her. Sh

iliar burn, but this time

ke yourselves

bag, moving my thing

a reminder of a life I wa

licker of guilt in h

I said, my voice fl

r echoed from th

mash something, to wipe that smirk

yet. P

ghost in my

affection openly, a perform

the kitchen whil

and grating, wou

his clothes

tions, design

nted eve

came my sil

ra' s late-night "apologies"

he' d whisper at my guest room door. "But Riv

tive.

ments, her justifications, her ca

upreme arroganc

e buzzed. A video

Sera laughing, looking a

ping her warm for

ned, but my fin

evi

tatement, every demo tape that proved my financ

nd I crafted. Her entire c

ier was