lights in the formal living room were blazing. Sh

ed leather sofa, a glass of sherry in her hand.

tion of her manicure. "Easton called. He is furious. Leaving a cha

alked past the living room toward

care? You ungrateful little gold digger. My son pulled you out of obscurity, gave you

ly. The exhaustion was gone, re

run his household, raise his son, and tolerate his mistress parading around i

She has stood by Easton through everything! You are just jealous because she has clas

t door b

n, carrying a sleeping Holt. Georgina followed, he

g a finger to her lips. "We don'

anding by the stairs

not to wake the boy. "We are going to

to stroke Holt's hair. "Such a perfect famil

saw Georgina, and smiled. "Mommy G..." he

those words in her chest. It wa

, playing the role of the benevolent matriarch

. He glanced at Althea with pure disd

r. She turned and w

ind her. "Make me something to eat. I'm

ok back. "The kitchen is fully stocked. Or

asp. She heard East

e door. She didn't turn on the lights. She went str

y. Inside was a draft of a divorce agreement she had written two years ago, after the

alimony section. Spousal

vered over the

ed. She deleted the request for the house. She deleted the

ntence: The parties shal

rgina laughing-a sound that vi

a hit

l rhythm soothing in the quiet room. She w

d on the desk.

ready. Welcome ba

the title she hadn't used in five y