THE WIFE YOU LEFT

Y'S

and I will be together again. I'd imagined it a thousand times, practically willed it into existence. He'd be there waiting, holding roses, his face so

ing room. "Mrs. Avery Grayson!" Her voi

hts, and that dull ache that had taken residence in my bones. I'd already showered, fixed my hair, and even put on a little makeup that one of the guards had snuck me. I wanted to

My pulse quickened. It had to be something from Chase-a message, a k

g through me. But when I finally pulled out its contents, they sl

ce pa

piece of thick, ivory ca

on and Astr

? That the name on the invitation w

ister. My fl

ad to be a sick joke. Chase was getting remarried? And to Astrid, of all people? No

's voice cut in, jolting

nded me with the few belongings I'd kept here. I bolted towa

him. He wouldn't betray me. Not like this. He'd hurt me, yes-hurt me in every way a man could hurt a woman-but he'd never l

t me like a slap. There was no one there. No Chase. No flowers. Just a bl

expression unreadable behind sunglasses. H

omeone else. Maybe Chase sent one of his security guy

ite smile. "I'm Mrs. Grayson. I th

to relieve me of my bag. "No, ma'am. I've come on behal

t know what kind of joke this is, but I'm not Mrs. Blackwood. I'm Mrs. Grayson."

wood's second-in-command. My name is Ryan Dren. My orders are to escort you to your new husb

uited stranger. Panic started to bubble up, prickling under my skin. This couldn't be happening. This wasn't how my story was supposed to e

been a misunderstanding.i have no idea who Mr. Blackwood or Whiteboard is. I've n

as stone. "If you'll come with me, ma'am," he said, his gri

free. But Ryan's hand was like a vice, unyielding. My breaths came quicker, my heart p

voice was low, warning. "

ned the car door and nudged me inside. The doors locked with a

eaks, and all I could do was sit there, numbly staring at my trembling hands

. Shouts erupted from the SUV, but I didn't look back. I just ran, feet hitting the

ragged gasps. And there, strung across the front entrance, wer

the air. Guests moved about, dressed in formal c

celebration going