Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 36820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 184(@200wpm)___ 147(@250wpm)___ 123(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 184(@200wpm)___ 147(@250wpm)___ 123(@300wpm)
“Is it Mommy or Daddy?” the elderly woman asks.
Penny toddles into the living room and shrieks with happiness when she sees me. I grin and scoop her up, kissing her on the side of the head. “Hey, squirt.”
“Must be Daddy.” The woman shuffles around the corner just as the door opens behind me. “Oh…my.”
“Who the hell are you?” a deep voice growls.
I whirl around, with Penny tight in my grip, and face off with the person. The cop. Why did he follow me into this house?
“I’m here to pick up my stepdaughter,” I say to the officer and then nod to the older woman. “Ma’am. I’m Owen Monahan. Jin’s husband. You must be Carol.”
“I am,” she says. “Lovely to meet you.”
Penny whines and reaches for the cop. He approaches as if he’s done this a hundred times before, holding out his hands.
“I’m sorry, but who are you?” I clip out, refusing to hand over the little girl I was asked to come pick up.
The cop narrows his eyes at me and his jaw muscle ticks. A flash of anger flickers in his eyes which only makes me distrust him more.
“Owen,” Carol says gently, “this is my son, Christopher. He lives here with me.”
I relax and pass Penny to him. Christopher melts a bit as Penny cackles and blabs on about a cookie. He grins at her and nods, clearly smitten with her. It’s kind of hard not to be.
“Where’s Jin?” Christopher asks. “Or Mei? Why are you picking Penny up?”
“Just helping out my wife.”
Something about this guy puts me on edge. He’s territorial and mildly threatening. It could be that I’m defensive and he’s a cop who could out our little fraudulent marriage. Or, there’s a reason I can’t put my finger on.
Cop or not, I don’t trust him.
“Wife,” Christopher repeats as if the word doesn’t taste right on his tongue. “And how long have you known Jin?”
There’s a knowing glint in his eyes. Like he already has me figured out.
“Christopher,” Carol says, voice tinged in warning. “Let this fella get on his way. Supper’s about ready anyway.”
I find Penny’s backpack on the sofa, shoulder it, and then hold my hands out to take her back. Christopher glowers at me before reluctantly passing her to me. Penny starts to cry, making me feel like a dick, but I don’t let it deter me. With a quick thanks to Carol, I slip out of the house, and hurry to my car where I’ve installed a car seat.
A silver sedan slows to a stop in front of the driveway as I reach my car. It’s then I see a man with a camera, boldly taking photos of me and Penny.
“Hey!” I call out to the man.
He hits the gas and drives off. Fucking creep. With irritation burning through my veins, I buckle Penny in and then hop back into my seat. I fire off a text to Leah immediately.
Stalking is a crime.
Her reply comes before I can even start the engine.
Leah: I’m not sure what you’re referring to, Owen.
Liar.
Call off your watchdog or I’ll be forced to make a police report.
Leah: You sound paranoid. Are you having trouble sleeping? It’s concerning you married your sleep doctor after having only known her for a minimal amount of time.
I hate this woman. She plays these twisted games and I’m sick of it. I’d love nothing more than to go off on her, calling her every name in the book, but I’m not stupid. These carefully worded texts are more tools in her box to take me down.
My sleep is fine and my marriage is none of your business.
Leah: You always were one for denial.
Then, before I can respond, she texts again.
Leah: I’m worried about the kids and your unstable behavior. My attorney is filing a new motion in our case.
Rather than responding, I shoot my lawyer, Dane, screenshots of our texts.
Dane: Stop responding. I’ll see what they’re up to and keep you advised.
“Sorry, squirt,” I mutter to Penny who’s fussing from her car seat. “You want to go see Addison?”
She cheers up for the ride home, but my mood only sours. By the time we arrive at the house, I’m agitated beyond belief. Jin pulls in right after me. Before she can take Penny, Addison runs out to steal her from us. They leave with a giggles and squeals that lightens my pissy mood.
“We need to talk,” I say to Jin as she climbs out of her car. “Privately.”
Her expression remains cool, per usual, and she gives me a curt nod. “I’ll meet you in your room.”
I stalk through the house and then change out of my suit into something comfortable. By the time I’m in jeans and a sweatshirt, and sitting on my bed, Jin enters the room. Her shoulders are stiff and her jaw is set as if she’s bracing for a fight.