i's

enemy? By being close to them righ

my mind as soon as I set foot back in N

nd emptiness. But now I was back, I was stronger and everything outside this city was in my

coming back as Erica Smith-a new identity

had trusted completely, the one I

drinking and stopped going to my favorite bar just to impress him and I wanted to be a better version of my

asn't going to be left ou

etter than me while secretly coveting ev

hat had been taken from me. If they thought they could use what

son I truly trusted. Betty was smart as a whip and knew all of my se

to sip my coffee when my eyes landed on the headline: "ALEXANDER AND RACHEL

t let it go. With a knowing look, she pointed to a paragraph in the arti

een waiting for-a way to get close to them and s

pered, her voice low an

ew plan formi

to someone determined to make things right. I had changed, and

at if what?" Betty asked, watching as I grabb

l be right back." I was already at th

sen

had gotten myself i

sharp eyes dissecting me with a gaze

omething, Miss

pulled me out

d face, I replied,

I have to make an impression b

a document. "Good. From now on, you are Mrs.

hitched. "E

ugh the

like he hadn't just turned

eeds to be believab

another word,

es, baffled, the document fee

g up in a contract marriag

demeanor made him impossible to stand. I cou

years was plenty of time to get m

of Miranda. I'll check up on you soon." I sent t

Erica

I just

a knock at

. Ra

a blonde-haired woman

secretary. Sir Raymond asked me

I echoed, comple

go Ma

arge columns, beautiful gardens, fount

done justice to the

as no time t

ntered a contract

could get any woman

power move? Or some

ed a job to get close to Alexander,

emed to have

a led m

e your room,

ced a

repeated, as if te

, struggling to get ac

. "I'll leave you t

my eyes take in th

the walls, the furnit

avy presenc

rough the silence.