The storm howled outside, rain hammering against the windows as Jared’s words made my blood run cold.

Why was he asking this now? Was he worried I’d discovered his secret, or was this his way of coming clean? Would he sit me down again to negotiate his relationship with Tracy, just like before? My mind raced with questions.

Back then, I’d been such a fool, clinging to that worthless marriage certificate, refusing to surrender my place.

This time around, I would gladly accept if Jared offered the same deal again, taking only the money and nothing more when I left.

“What’s wrong? Got something to hide?” I asked, forcing a teasing tone I didn’t feel.

Jared was dangerous–a man who could smile while burning with rage inside, and then retaliate in ways his victims never anticipated.

lose everything. My safest move was to take the money

“Don’t believe anything you hear. They’re just rumors without substance. Yvonne is still young, and we need to think of

at him in disbelief, unable to reconcile this behavior with the Jared I knew. His suggestion to ignore the rumors while using our

had broken his promises but wouldn’t admit it, making me question myself while denying every rumor. Still, I knew one truth–rumors didn’t start

closer with a carefully crafted smile.

he reached to brush a stray lock of hair from my face. “How are you settling in at the

I replied, turning toward the rain–smeared window. “You should go home ahead of me. Yvonne and I…

Yvonne to my mom’s place. Tonight, it’s just the two of us.” Jared’s voice

knit top, the fabric slipping just enough to reveal my smooth,

“Don’t work late. Go home early.” There was

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