The Billionaire Widow's Redemption
EL
disbelieving croak. "You want them t
's just a small piece, Hazel. They said
d when he preferred her company to mine. I had understood being abandoned on a mountainside. But th
flooded through me. "Get out," I sc
dside table, sending a water
, his jaw tight
ed from the doorway. "Your
ure of frustration and impatienc
A stand-in ring for a stand-in wife. With a bitter laugh that turned into a sob, I pulled it off my finger
twice, brief, perfunctory visits filled with empty
the hallway. I heard my
who has broken ribs, to sit with the si
w is pregnant. They say M
ock. What a ter
the words a fresh
ting by the main entrance. He took my
said, his voice unnaturally gentle. "
d past him and got into
ing. He was a formidable man, his face etched with the lines of power and tr
uffered," he said, his v
s. But he was worried about Jodie, you k
excuses for
orward boxes of expensive gifts. It was
ficent diamond necklace, a famous piece known as "The Hancock Star."
cognize," he said, his voice firm. He glanced pointedly over my shoulder to
umbled an excuse about feeling
ut a sharp look from his grandf
It felt like a gilded cage. I knew what I had to do.
door, I heard their voic
Carter demanded. "It belongs to the
e was like stone. "I only recognize Hazel as you
was strained, desperate. "My marriage certificate with
. The piece of paper I ha
through my safe until I found it. The marriage certificate. My hands shook as I unfolded it. And there i
e. I was his mist
hysterical sound that
maid was shaking me awake
ley! Come
r, the Hancock Star lay, its chain broken, diamonds scatt
I saw her come down and smash it!" she cried. "I've work
s fixed on me. "Haz
er. In her hand, she was holding a photograph. A picture of my frai
y voice was a whispe
. "I'm very disappointed in you, Hazel. You will s