His Regret, Her Unstoppable Rise

placeholder wife he needed. In exchange, I got the stability I'd craved my whole life. I

was an obstacle. After our car crashed, he scrambled to save an unconscious Felicie fr

Felicie was stabbed by her own violent ex after using me as

ved her

estion. He just looked at me with pure, undiluted hatred

eft me to burn. I finally understood. It didn't matter what the t

ed a new life. But months later, he found me. He showed up in my small

finally kne

d he l

pte

re the papers are ready." Delma Puckett' s voice was stead

er mother-in-law, sounded pleased. "Of course, Mrs. Kidd.

n't be hers for much longer. "Goo

et it down. Her gaze fell on the platinum wedding band on her finger. It was heavy, studded with di

fect, seven-year marriage to a perfect h

gainst her skin. The coldness took her

rst time she

tress for a high-end catering company, a side job to make ends meet. The event was a l

t for the intense focus in his eyes. He was Kobe Kidd. Even someone like Delma, who didn't

ialites around him. His attention was entirely on

d near Delma's station. "He's been c

but who could resist him?" a

ctress on the rise, famous for her beauty and a

ike she was playing hard

or those nearby to hear. "I'm trying to talk to my fr

s later, he had a waiter deliver a small, velvet box to her table. Felic

didn't put it on. She just snapped the box shut a

ar the patio doors when she heard F

not interested?" the friend asked.

he's interested, the gifts keep coming. Besides, the attention is good

ystem, bounced from one home to another. She knew the value of a dollar, the weight o

st Kobe without a second glance. He stood there for a mome

tray of empty glasses. She walked str

Delma said, her v

ssing. He took in her simple black-and-white uniform, her plai

arting to pound. "She just likes the gifts and the a

ent, his expres

ling to the surface. "You need a wife, don't you? Someone to satisfy yo

gaze directl

retched, heavy

I won't cheat on you. I will play the part of the perfect wife. In return, I get financ

-surprise, maybe amusement-crossed his fac

," he

Delma, who had spent her life feeling disposable, was driven by a despera

ful, considerate in his own detached way. He never demanded more than their contract stipulated. He remembered she didn't

arted to believe that this transactional marriage could become something rea

lowed hers

ago, Felicie Rich

was desperate. Kobe, in what Delma now understood was a mix of pity

yes followed Felicie in a room. She heard the softness in his voice when

id. She pushed the door open a crack and saw him sitting at his desk, staring at his phone. On the scree

had never, not

e. She had been a placeholder. A convenient, respectable st

n her constant companion for weeks. That was the day she decided to cut her losses. In the worl

er heart. She wouldn't

nvelope with the signed divorce pa

ises building. The receptionist tried to stop her, but

office, they opened. Felicie Richardson st

pping with false sweetness. "What a

ff," Delma said, her voice fl

ing. "Oh, is that what I think it is?

, but Delma pulled it back.

be difficult. You know he doesn't

tated, not as a claim, but as

l laugh. "You were just a seat-warmer

, and Kobe stepped out. He saw the two of th

the envelope in her hand, and a loo

to his side and linking her arm with his. "Delma is

, his expression col

held onto a tiny, foolish sliver of hope that he might hesita

ard and handed

is shoulder, her eyes scanning the document. "It's all in order," she said

k a pen from his pocket and signed his na

rce of a physical blow. It was done. Sev

, a victorious glint in her eyes. Instead of handing them over, she le

ith a smirk. "Everything that

face, then to Kobe, who stood by, his face a mask of indifferenc

t firm. "You didn't take anything that was you

ontorted with ra

off, a strange calm settling over her. "Let

cie snapped, grabbing Delma's arm.

said, pulling

large, decorative shelving unit, overloaded with heavy b

d. She instinctivel

ed Delma hard, putting her directl

sh echoed throu