The Betrayed Widow's Unexpected Genius Comeback

monitor drilled into Christi

oded her nostrils, so potent she could taste it at the back of her throat.

e memor

very single sensory detail of the last three years. Every micro-expression on Burke's face when he lied. Every inflection

pital sheets. Her knuckles turned white. The pain in her

ina? Th

pped around hers. His Army dress uniform was pristine, the medals on his chest catching the harsh

ister's hand rested casually on Burke's shoulder, he

Corrina said, her voice sickenin

from the painkillers. It was the sudden, violent c

tary's strict codes of conduct. A chillingly logical probability slammed into her consciousness: a vision of Burke in

ncern in Burke's eyes morphed into the cold, calcu

he sudden movement sent a jolt of pain through

ion of a second. "Christina, what are you do

escending pats, his dismissive sighs, his gaslighting-every instance she had f

d on the bed railing. "Burke is only l

zed Corrina's posture in a split second. The slight shift of weight to her left leg. The tension

d. She was guilt

he burning in her lungs to subside. Her vo

agement

t monitor seemed to ech

. "You hit your head too hard. The engagement was arranged by t

t spread to her limbs, numbing the pain. "I'm sa

e corners of her mouth before she quickly suppressed it, replacing it w

watching the thin veneer of his patience crack. The irritation he u

e. "I am a Major in the United States Army. My engag

She searched the data stream and found the perfect leverage. Christina's lips curled into a sneer. "Major Clark, do you want me to give a detailed report to th

twitched. He cared about his rank more than a

om Burke's shoulder as if she'd been burne

f clarity. There was no heartbreak left.

his uniform. He was trying to regain control. "You'r

d blood welled up instantly, rolling down her pale skin. The sharp sting was exhilarating. The heart monitor im

before a nurse burst in. "I've never been mor

me in three years, the submissive wa

fingers wrapping around his bicep. "Burke, stop ar

e the fabric of Burke's sleeve. The int

ne. Throw your fit. But I am not

nd this now. "Then give me back everyth

y thrown off balance

orrina scoffed from the

raight into Burke's soul. "The pendant. Giv

rly hadn't expected her to car

That pendant wasn't just a keepsake. It was the key to whatever was happen