When She Rose From the Ashes

Chapter 3 So This Is What Favoritism Looks Like

Chapter 3 So This Is What Favoritism Looks Like

Natalie froze, glancing at the incoming call. Her heart dropped.

That number—it was from the Witch Doctor.

But why was he calling her? Their transaction had ended five years ago.

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Instinctively, she pressed a hand to her side, where the pain of having her rib removed still echoed deep in

her memory

She quickly rejected the call and said flatly, “Spam. Probably a scam number.”

Jensen glanced at her, then nodded, thinking of the recent scam warnings involving foreign numbers.

Scam calls are getting through? That means your number’s probably been leaked. I’ll have my assistant get you a new number tomorrow.”

Before Natalie could respond, Jensen’s own phone rang–with that distinct ringtone.

She instantly knew: it was Sharon.

Jensen shot Natalie a guilty glance, quickly declined the call, and mumbled, “Assistant calling about work. I’ll take it in the living room.”

Without waiting for a response, he rushed out.

Natalie’s eyes drifted to her phone.

It was still linked to the smart voice assistant in the living room–Alexa. Jensen thought it was just a Bluetooth speaker. He had no idea it had a built–in surveillance camera.

Natalie had never used it to spy on him. But today, with Sharon calling, something twisted inside her. She wanted to know how he acted with Sharon when she wasn’t around.

She lowered the volume and opened the Alexa app.

On–screen, Jensen sat at the bar, holding his phone. His eyes gazed out the window, completely unaware that the wind chime–symbol of their love–was gone.

His voice was soft and gentle. “I’ll come back to you in a bit.”

Sharon’s voice came clearly through the mic.

“Jensen, you’re the sweetest. Hey, the new Luke Corp jewelry line is launching tomorrow. Can I come? I heard it’s the Devotion series by Sunny–it’s perfect for our honeymoon vibe! You designed it, didn’t you? You’re Sunny, right?”

Jensen paused, slightly startled.

“I’m not-

to me. Back when you stood out among all

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7:17pm

So This Is

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has a breakthrough. Sunny designs something

a cold,

into every piece she designed, each one

quiet for

my biggest dream has always been to become a jewelry designer. But fate won’t give me the time. We’re married now–could you let me

grip on

even understand what she was

glanced toward Natalie’s room, then said softly, “Okay. Tomorrow, at the conference, I’ll

I love you,

laughter echoed from

heart had

How could he?

press

she was Sunny. Yet with just a few sweet words from Sharon, he

what favoritism really looked

couldn’t listen anymore. She cut off

Jensen was going to give Sharon what was hers–then she would fight to take

redialed

rang three times before the Witch Doctor picked up, his voice

on me,

to do. Just help

a pause, then a snort

you’d die for love five years ago? What

crap. Do we

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7:17 pm

So This Is

fingers dug

her only family, her only love,

no one to tuum to–except the Witch

if the

“Deal

explained what she needed

then, Jensen

can’t come to the