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-

don’t lie to me. Back when you stood out among all the

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So This Is

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design. Nobody knows who Sunny really is, but every time Luke Corp has a breakthrough.

gave a cold,

poured her heart into every piece she designed, each one a tribute to Jensen’s

quiet

the time. We’re married now–could you let me borrow Sunny’s identity, just once? Let

on her phone

understand what she

said softly, “Okay. Tomorrow, at the conference,

I love

giddy laughter echoed from the

heart had gone completely

How could he?

press

knew she was Sunny. Yet with just a few sweet words from Sharon, he was willing to hand over everything–her years of blood, sweat, and brilliance–without

is what favoritism really looked

She cut

Jensen was going to give Sharon what was hers–then she

she redialed the international

the Witch Doctor picked

finally grew a spine. Hung up on me, did you? Want me to take

you want me to do. Just help me

pause, then

you’d die for love five years ago? What

Do we have a deal

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7:17 pm

3 So This Is What Favoritism

fingers dug into

her only family, her only love, her only

she had no one to tuum

the price was

“Deal

immediately explained what she needed

Jensen came

can’t come to the