THE SECRET HEIRESS

, glancing around at the fine dining restaurant, feeling my social a

under my breath. My mother had somehow convinced me to go on a date with

early, having to wai

ence and power. His tall muscular frame moved with a kind of quiet authority. The way his tailored suit hugged his body made it impossible to look away. Dark hair, slightly tousle

me slowed down. It felt as if I had known him forever, and yet, he wa

idn't rush, didn't stumble. Richard Garrison was always in contro

ly, sending shivers down

astic remark? I couldn't decide, so I just loo

ing to sound unaffected, but my vo

leaned back in his chair, watching me with those pier

n the eyes-devastatingly handsome, even-but was that really all it to

arriage or whatever you want from me ," I said, finally meeting his gaze with the courageI

cker in his eyes-something unreadable, almost vulnerable. But

won't cancel it. The marr

n me. Important to him? What a

ce rising slightly. "How can you say tha

ined calm, infuriatingly calm. "This isn't about fo

erly, shaking my head. "You don'

u gone back to him yet? Why hasn't he come looking for you?" Richa

band, the years I wasted on him. The humiliation. The betrayal. And yet, even after everything Max did, I couldn't stop thinking

id, trying to keep my voice

ldly. ". But from what I heard, y

deep breath, blinking abruptly before adding. "The divorce hasn't been

ard began, but

ne thing. Marriage was another. He was a stranger. I shouldn't be cheating on max with him like this. I felt worthles

is means to us Tammie" he said. "It is also a matter of time

y feet almost immediately, letting out a scoff as I rolled my eyes

ou will feel it, Tamera. I know you will eventually. It is only a matter of

me, his presence overwhelming. He looked down at me, those pier

nd I wasn't sure if I was imagining it, but there was something raw in his stare-some

gently cupping my cheek. I knew I should step back, resist, but strang

. not this time." His voice was almost pleadin

ime? What

id memory I couldn't place. It was Richard's face. I gas

blurted out, "Who? Who are you to me?" Why had that i

sed, opening his mouth as if to

ing myself to speak. I nee

e door, desperate to escape. But as I reached the e

opped into

beautiful woman I didn't recognize, his hand on hers, smiling in a way he never did with me. Before

hest. He never kissed me like that. Not

ooked, the more I couldn't deny it. It was him. I took a step forward, the urg

e, Max pulled out an engagement ring. The woman

t imagine spending the rest of my life without you. You're the only woman for me. Will you marry me?" he asked, h

slipped the ring onto her finger, rising to embrace her, kissing h

Max had moved on. So

t erupted in applaus

s bag and pulling out a piece of jewelry-a necklace. No way. Wasn't this the

neck as she smiled, squeezing him in happine

her? That meant the necklace was never stolen. Was I rea

ay, trying to control the ache in my chest. The pain was so intense, I tho

t stop. Because in that moment, everything I thought I knew c

rain drenching me, not waiting for my driver

t. My breath came in gasps, the pain inside me increasing with every step. It wasn't

o the emptiness of the night. The sound echoed, mingling with the thunder, b

t, clearly expecting me to share all the details of my date. But her enth

pened?" she asked, her v

lked past her, heading straight to my room

a moment, the tears slowed, and I sniffled, sitting up almost instinctively. That's when my eyes caught

e was nothing flattering about me. I felt worthless at that very moment. I couldn't help but blame myself.

so long. At that very moment I was tired of feeling sorry for myself, tired of hanging on to a marriage that was clearly over. A love that was clearly one sided. I

de a de

the better. I'd make them all r