Chapter 3
When Jake saw me, his eyes went all shifty and he immediately started explaining:
“Don’t get the wrong idea. I brought Riley here to-”
Before he could finish, Riley wrapped her arm around his and cut him off:
“Tour my husband’s company.”
I stayed quiet. Then Riley spoke up again:
“You don’t mind, do you, Chloe?”
Riley was practically smirking at me, all smug and territorial.
I silently stepped out of the elevator to make room for them.
Jake looked at me with this conflicted expression, like he wanted to say something, but Riley just dragged him away.
That afternoon, I stood at the crematorium watching Mom get reduced to ashes.
I took her to the cemetery and stayed until dark.
Jake never showed. Not even a text.
I didn’t care.
At least without him there, Mom could rest in peace.
I think her spirit wouldn’t want me tangled up with him anymore anyway.
She definitely wouldn’t want to see me marry him now.
Our six years together needed to end. For good.
I walked home from the cemetery. The whole way.
I hadn’t walked alone at night in forever.
When I was little, I’d hold Mom’s hand.
Later, I’d walk arm–in–arm with Jake.
From now on, I’d be walking alone.
I figured I’d get used to it.
I didn’t get home until after midnight.
21:00
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Just a Stand In?! My Billionaire Hul
ER Wife..
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Chapter 3
The living room lights were on, and Jake was sprawled on the couch, texting someone.
When he saw me come in, his worried frown melted away and he rushed over to grab my hands:
“Where the hell have you been? You wouldn’t answer your phone or texts. I was about to call the cops!”
I froze for a second, then pulled my hands away.
“I was with Mom. Didn’t want her to be disturbed.”
When I mentioned Mom, Jake remembered what he’d said earlier and looked guilty as hell.
Suddenly his face lit up with anticipation. He pulled out this fancy box and handed it to me all ceremoniously.
I automatically opened it. Inside was a diamond ring.
I just stared at it.
Once upon a time, Jake had grabbed my hands and sworn up and down that he’d put a ring on my finger and get me that marriage certificate so Mom could see how happy I was.
I’d waited forever for this moment. Dreamed about it countless times.
But that was before.
I snapped the box shut and handed it back.
Jake frowned, like something had just occurred to him. He looked embarrassed:
“It’s already past midnight. Just one more day and I can divorce Riley.”
“Don’t worry, I remember what I promised you.”
“Tomorrow, I’ll put this ring on your finger myself, and then we’ll go get married.”
His sweet talk didn’t move me at all. I just said:
“Okay. Got it. I’m exhausted. Going to bed.”
Jake’s smile froze. For the first time, he seemed to realize I was just going through the motions.
Panic flashed in his eyes and he reached for my hand.
That’s when Riley walked out of the bedroom wearing my pajamas.
She rubbed her sleepy eyes, glanced at me, then immediately clung to Jake’s arm all cute and whiny:
“Jake, now that Chloe’s home, come to bed already.”
Jake quickly looked at me to explain:
21:00
Just a Stand In?! My Billionaire Hubby’s OTHER Wife…
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Chapter 3
“Riley had a fight with her family. I told her she could crash in the guest room for one night.”
