The Substitute Wife's Spectacular Comeback

. She lay perfectly still in the center of the massive king-size bed, her eyes wi

letting in a sliver of light from the hallway before closing again. Bentley

It wasn't just the rain. Underneath the damp wool of his coat, there was a faint, unmistakable smell

pulling her back against his chest. It was a familiar gesture, one tha

in her back tightened. Her breath hitched in

?" he murmured, his lips brushing against the back of her neck

rolling onto her side and pulling her injured hand up to he

her, his chin resting on her shoulder. Within minutes,

the faint orange glow of the streetlamp filtering through the curtains. All she could see was the bac

ing it inch by inch. But as soon as she let go, his arm twitched. H

en he

la

le that brushed against her ear. But

er own heartbeat roared in her ears, drowning out the rain outside. He was ho

low. She clamped her jaw shut so hard her teeth ached, trapping the

gritty and swollen. Bentley was already awake. He was standing in the walk-in closet, fully dresse

dn't look at the cracked mirror. She turned on the cold water and splashed it

collar covering her neck, a physical barrier. When

g at her. He avoided her eyes, focu

She kept her gaze

their usual morning kiss. Chloe reacted on instinct. She

s. A flicker of confusion crossed his face,

loe said quickly. "I

hing. Then he checked his watch again. "I hav

ka

toward the front door

d down the doorframe, hitting the hardwood floor. She wrapped her arms aro

rying a silver tray. On it was a cup of

gently, setting the tray on the coffee table. "It's your herbal tea. He sai

t steam. Chamomile and valerian root. For three years, Bentley had insisted s

thought of the way he had held her last night. She thought o

s. The smell of the herbs suddenly made her sto

en, and poured the entire contents down the sink. The brown

r this time. She pulled out the Moleskine notebook and flipp

h. He had nothing left to say to her. His heart was

e book and lo