walked out of the VIP exi

e curb. The driver scrambled out and pu

n was already sitting there. A sleek laptop re

focatingly quiet cabin. Dawson didn't look up. He

hattan streets blur past. She played her part, keeping her body stiff and her eyes

er the gravel driveway of the massiv

of the stone steps, flanked by a perfectly aligned

riveway, looking up at the sprawling mansion. For five years, thi

He held out a pair of custom-made s

lower. Angelita's favorite style. Her stomach churned, a

fted her right foot and kicked the slippers hard. Th

d glances. The quiet, obedient Mrs. Conner ne

tepped out of the car. He saw the sl

on, Charlene,

ead. She looked at hi

something so hid

rble floor of the foyer. The sharp cold shot up her spine, a welcome jolt that grounded her in her new

he master bedroom. She pushed

e curtains, muted lighting. Everything was curated to match t

e massive walk-in closet

dresses hung perfectly spaced. No

cal force. She hadn't just been a wife; she had been a

aking as she balanced a silver tray. On

onner requires you to drink this ever

the porcelain cup, walked into the attached bathr

ed in horror. "Madam!

the brown stains down the drain. She

Charlene said coldly. "Go fe

sheer dominance radiating from Charlene. She

abbed the heavy brass lock on the door and sl

fingers wrapped around the cold metal han

eeve of a thousand-dollar beige silk gown and drove

g silk was deafenin

of expensive fabric rained down onto the hardwood floor. Her breathing gre

orknob rattl

aster key sliding into the lock

e, his eyes locking onto the mountai