Chapter 1
Im sorry Miss Elodie Thome. You missed the optimal v window for surgery..”
Elodie stood frozen for a long time, clutching the diagnosis confining her sterine cancer, before she finally dialed Janod Silverstein’s secretary, Keith
The line rang endlessly before he picked up, his tone as flippant as ever. “Yes, Mrs Silverstein? Can I help you?
Elodie’s Engers curled, stiff and cold. 11. „Jarrod there? I need to speak with him”)
“Mi Silverstein is unavailable at the moment, Keith replied
Please could you put him on–1
She didn’t even finish before another voice floated through the receiver a woman’s voice grade and sweet. “Jarrod, she teased, “what’s this surprise? Why all the
““”“Look up” came Jamod’s deep, familiar volor–so gentle, yet never for her 11
A second later Keith cut the call without hesitation.
At that very moment-
An explosion thundered from across the harbor Elodie looked up, her face drained of color
Brilliant fireworks burst over the distant waterfront, straks of color twisting together in the midnight blue sky–beautiful, like something out of a fairy tale Any rowd had gathered outside the hospital
You heard? That’s President Silverstein from The Silverstein Group. He threw this whole fireworks show for his girlfriend’s birthday–cost over three million dollars!“; “She’s Sylvie Fielding, you know! PhD from Pinecrest Institute of Technology, all the top companies are fighting to hire her. She’s smart, gorgeous, comes from a powerful family, and her boyfriend is not only handsome but totally untouchablet“:
“No wonder Mr. Silverstein is so crazy about her. Who wouldn’t be proud to have a girlfriend like that?”
Elode watched the lavish display for a long time, the test results crumpling in her hand until finally, the thin paper slipped from her fingers and fluttered to the ground
She tumed and walked away!!
Later that night
Jarrod came home to find Elodie sitting alone in the darkened living room.
He facked on the lights, frowning. “Why aren’t you in bed?“?
Elodie looked up at him His jacket was slung over his arm, and his dark eyes–cold and unreadable as ever–rested on her
She used to think his indifference was just his nature, but tonight, she understood the man who was ice in her arms could bum like fire for someone else
“couldn’t sleep” her voice was barely more than a whisper 1 went to the hospital today
Jarrod tossed his coat onto the couch, barely interested. “What did the doctor say?“!!
Elodie had been complaining of stomach pain for weeks. He’d promised to go with het but there was always some billion–dollar deal or urgent ens at work to pull hmanayı
Just yesterday, he’d told her held come along. But then he found out Sylvie had hidden her birthday from him.
reiht the office in a rush–just in time to arrange the firmworks.
He hadn’t spared a thought for Elodie
its nothing. The doctor said just wait and see Elodie said softly, lowering her eyes. “Why are you home tonight?“?
Janod hesitated for a moment, then moved closer
He pulled Elodie into his arms, his breath hot against her neck, voice low and rough
“It’s your file window.”
“You insisted we stick to this schedule every month–for the Silverstein family’s heir Did you forget?
The scent of expensive womens perfume clung to his clothes, sharp and unmistakable–a cruel bullet shattering what was left of Elodie’s pride i
He was wrong. Three years of marriage, and Jarrod had always been distant Only when pressured by his grandmother to carry on the Silversten line” did he reluctantly come home and go through the motions with herli
Have a child? That hardly seemed possible now
Elodie had always been gentle, always gone along with whatever was asked of her. But tonight, something inside her snapped
“Jarrod, arent you worried your girlfriend might get jealous if you sleep with me?”i
Her eyes glittered in the darkness, the way a wounded animal finally bases its fangs
Janod studied her, his face growing cold
After a long moment, ho let out a mithless laugh
“Why should care? We’re married in secret–you’re the one who has to stay hidden
“You chose to be the understudy. What right do you have to make demands?”
