The Secret Genius Ex-Wife Strikes Back

spat the words through gritted teeth. "Mrs

late-afternoon light caught the dust motes floating around

-Beaumont and Mrs. Meredith Carlisle-Beaumont are beside themselves. Won't stop

s and stuff them back in. A look of pure pity flickered across her face be

practically emptied itself over the past week. Everyone had flocked to the hospital, orbiting Seraphina Stone like she was the center of the universe. Includi

door cli

years-maybe ever. The cold, polished mask he wore at home had vanished, replaced by a boyish excit

his coat hit the chair, words tumbling out in a rush. "The kid came out stubborn as hell-gave Sera a rough time. We nea

said n

e." He shook his head, a tender smile lingering at the corners of his mouth. A smile

ine had, three years ago. A double wedding that had captivated New York's elite-champagne fountains, senators in attendance, a string quar

wrapped his McLaren around a semi-truck during an illegal

s for Seraphina. For her, he'd sworn, he'd walk away from all of it. What sent him onto that road that night was a question no one seemed willing

owning in guilt, urged her to remarry. Seraphina refused. She would stay

ve Seraphina the child she claimed she needed to survive her grief.

wn hands, delicate and

mmed. "What's that

y what I said. C

warmth in his expression curdled into something harder. "Jasmine.

irth to a child you helped conceive. I'm offering

at baby into the world because she loved Alastair. Because she wanted something

it was almost inaudible. "D

child. She'd endured Seraphina's mood swings with patient courtesy, swallowing her pride every time the woman dem

s frozen sperm, stored years ago at St. Jude's Fertility Clinic. The entire

her in the dark. They'd cooked the meal, served it

case, fitted it between his lips, and flicked his lighter open with a sharp, practic

needed it. The family needed it. My contribution was clinical.