His Arrogance, Her Quiet Revenge

ppeared, stark again

e pregnancy test, a sti

perceptible smile

ed up he

number was alrea

voice calm, even. "It' s Ava Ha

r' s voice was cautious.

s," she stated. "I believe Ethan is

Ethan weeks ago, the unsigned d

oe Vance, his voice syrupy sweet

ss this," she had said,

es still glued to his phone screen, a

our trivial matters. Chloe needs me to pick

tters. The

nd careless, now s

th the details, Mr. Peterson," Ava continued, he

agreed... we can proceed under the assumption of an uncontested divorce afte

wyers, especially about her, would be dismissed as more tr

genuine smile finall

carefully wiped down a small, worn silver locket

breakfast preparations was

eeper, was talking to

ance again last night. Charity

the new maid whispered back

of disapproval in her voice. "Poor Mrs.

most laughed. I

d, as it always

entical twi

Hayes, wealthy, ar

t, living replica of the o

yes for one reason only:

ow, s

The exact opposite of his broth

, a whirlwind romance t

es crinkled when he smiled,

driver, a rainy night, dur

rant and full of life, sketc

t, he w

consumed her, a black hole th

she had mer

perate and wild, ha

Caleb, laugh like Caleb, perh

ving

easy to persuad

the East Coast, had been pr

eniently "studying abroad" – a euphemism for c

e-nuptial discussion. "This is a convenience for both of us. My family get

ying nothing of the fierce, desperate hope thrummi

g unreadable in his eyes – perhaps surprise at

she was obsessivel

a shield, blinding

eful attention to his preferences – which were, unca

r, made Ava fetch things for Ch

ghost in her own marri

Ethan would dote on Chloe while Ava stood

them pity the poor,

care about p

to a single, burning

with Ethan was a

her every carefully chosen word, see

tion with Chloe, he couldn' t imagine

agic, ironi

itive test c

ective

Ethan Hayes was nea

have Caleb

ear from Ethan' s life as