o the only girlfriend our boss ever publicly ackno

heard that our boss

t! She was on

ght sleeping her way to succes

had guessed the truth; everyone had assumed I was Frank's mistress because we worked together so intimately. Frank never denied the rumor

entered. Manda and Lili glanced at e

the boss has someone he likes. It is so shameful to

r you," Lili whispered, alt

te, was back in town, they relished the chance to tear me down. "I'm just saying the truth. She's a mistr

tre

ank did not come home last night. He did not call. I imagined him wi

entered, and he was sitting behind his swivel chair in a sui

for a one-day leave," I said, pus

led, his gray eyes scanning

d. But it would shatter me to find out

ere uncertainly, then he raise

He did not care where he'd spent th

arking lot, vision blurry. Then I roun

s Der

by a taut smile. "So, you're Frank's wife, Ruth? I'm Dera.

taking care of Frank the pas

at how she was attempting to threaten me away? "You don't have to thank me

rew wider. "Se

ap. "Will you pick it up? I can't reach it li

ld crouch, she lunged forward, sc

lled, a trickle of bloo

rds us, his face pale with rage. He scooped Dera up i

rror rising. But he shoved me asi

s voice softening. "Don't worry

eir receding backs, I knew the truth: Frank Lanka