2
Г
Just then, Janie said something sweet and
innocent. “Oh no! I think I left my lingerie
back at the hotel last night!”
Cooper chuckled, “You little scatterbrain.”
I swallowed the food, a sudden wave of
nausea washing over me.
I stood up, ignoring their shocked faces, and
ran to the bathroom.
I stared blankly at my reflection.
The face in the mirror used to be vibrant and
healthy, but now it was gaunt and pale.
L
I couldn’t compete with a fresh–faced starlet.
My phone buzzed. It was my best friend,
Taylor Grey, the best surgeon in New York
City.
“Penelope, why didn’t you tell me? If I hadn’t
seen your chart today while on duty…”
“What good would it have done?” I
interrupted.
It would only cause more pain.
She was silent for a moment, her voice
choked with tears.
“Does he know about your condition?”
اصلح
Г
I nodded, then realized she couldn’t see me.
I whispered, “He thinks it’s just another one
of my little games.”
Taylor exploded. “I heard he brought some
girl to a family dinner? How much longer is he
going to torture you? What happened back
then…”
Her voice trailed off, realizing she shouldn’t
have brought it up.
I sniffled.
“It’s okay, Taylor.”
I hung up and stood there for a moment.
I turned on the faucet weching the ble
<
I turned on the faucet, washing the blood
down the drain, and walked out.
Down the hall, Cooper was leaning against
the wall, his perfect face half–hidden in
shadow.
I tried to walk past him, but he grabbed my
wrist.
“Going home already? The party’s over.”
I stopped, not looking at him. “Thank you for
asking.”
I was feeling so sick that I hadn’t realized how
late it was.
Cooper must have taken over hosting.
I should thank him.
That’s what I always did.
He stiffened. “You’re avoiding me? Are you
that disgusted?”
I turned my head and saw the annoyance in
his eyes. “I just wasn’t feeling well.”
I tried to pull away, but he held on tighter.
His voice was sharp, with a hint of anger.
“Mrs. Sinclair, are you faking it again?”
I was speechless.
I told him I was sick, and he didn’t believe me.
<
What could I say?
I decided to make a joke. “Maybe I’m
pregnant. Surprise!”
Cooper went still.
After a long silence, he said, “Is this a game
to you?”
“Last time I checked, it’s been a long time
since Mr. and Mrs. Sinclair have fulfilled their
obligations.”
He stepped closer, his breath tickling my ear.
“Penelope, nobody’s going to baby you.”
He shoved me hard. I stumbled back and
slammed against the wall.
Г
By the time I recovered, he had already
grabbed Janie, who was waiting at the end of
the hall.
I stood there numbly until the driver asked,
“Ma’am, the car’s ready. Are we going to the
cemetery now?”
“Are we waiting for… Mr. Sinclair?”
The driver hesitated.
He had obviously seen Cooper leave with
Janie.
I snapped out of it. “No, let’s go.”
