The Billionaire's Perfect, Plastic Wife

media empire. My life was a curated masterpiece, a reward for surviving the ca

rehab, was glowing. She was holding the hand of a small boy. And ne

ard them planning his birthday party for the next day at our l

ced with poison. "What about Ad

ssive. "I'll tell her it's a business retreat. She

nstructed cage to keep me quiet while they lived their real li

e, to keep me sedated and "unwell" so I wouldn't interfere with their cele

ay from billions. I wanted nothing from them but their ruin. And as I watched

pte

jewels. For five years, I had played my part as Adelaide Cole, the perfect wife to Knox Steele, heir

th of fresh air on the terr

a Lo

igh-end rehab facility in Europe. For five years, that was the story. A tragic breakdown

small boy, maybe four or five years old. And next to her

n

r in my ears. My world narrowed to the three of them on the far side of the terrace, bat

the side of the road. I survived. Barely. The Steeles, led by the family patriarch Douglas, had swooped in. They called it a tragic accident, a symptom of Gemma' s deep-seated mental issues. A

art hammering against my ribs so hard I felt sick. My body felt weak,

ted toward me on

ident, nothing like the hysterical woman the media had portr

e filled with a warmth I hadn't heard in y

cake?" the boy asked, his s

dd

cal blow. I clapped a hand o

a big day tomorrow. It's your birthday, r

s?" Jas

and Mommy. And Grandpa Douglas will

ed me Gemma would be locked away for a very, very long time. The m

' s voice was laced with poi

my entire being fo

same as every year. I'll tell her I have a business retreat. She'll stay home like

cruelty. Poor thing. As if I

t, Knox," Gemma said, a hint of impatience in

nate kiss right there in the open. "Soon, my love. I promise. Just a litt

rned to the boy. "Come on, J

constructed cage to keep me quiet and compliant while they lived their real lives right under my n

he plant, gasping for air that wouldn't come. My phone buzzed

was calling to check on me. To make

oice a strangled

n gone for a while." His voice was smo

air," I managed to say. "

the other end. "Don't do that to yours

t forming in my stomach. "I just..

was heavy with unspoke

e said abruptly, his tone suddenly

hun

orway to the terrace, his handsome face etch

u were upset." He rushed to my sid

cent of his cologne now smelling like deceit. I fo

d, looking up at him.

ing around me. "I'm right he

Final. And in that moment, the woman he married died.