CHAPTER 1 — The Woman Who Was Supposed to Be Dead
CHAPTER 1 — The Woman Who Was Supposed to Be Dead
Valeria slowly turned toward the woman standing behind her.
She was in her early sixties, dressed in a black housekeeper's uniform, her face pale with shock.
"I'm sorry..." the woman whispered. "You're... you're alive."
Valeria stared at her.
"What did you just say?"
The housekeeper glanced nervously toward the ballroom before lowering her voice.
"Mr. Vance told everyone you passed away six months ago."
Every sound inside the mansion suddenly faded.
"What?"
"He said you died from complications after your father's funeral."
Valeria felt her knees weaken.
"He even held a memorial service."
Her heartbeat stopped.
"A memorial?"
The woman nodded.
"They donated money in your name."
"Everyone cried."
"Even little Ethan."
Valeria frowned.
"Ethan?"
"The little boy."
The housekeeper looked genuinely confused.
"He believes Julian is his father."
Before Valeria could ask another question, applause erupted inside the ballroom.
Julian raised a champagne glass.
"To new beginnings."
Everyone cheered.
The brunette beside him smiled proudly.
"My husband," she said.
The words sliced through Valeria's chest.
My husband.
Not boyfriend.
Not fiancé.
Husband.
Had he remarried already?
Impossible.
Unless...
He had planned everything long before the divorce.
Valeria quietly stepped away before anyone noticed her.
Outside the mansion, Marcus Thorne was waiting beside his black SUV.
His expression alone told her everything.
"I've been digging all afternoon."
He handed her a thick envelope.
"You were never his first wife."
Valeria froze.
May you like
Marcus looked directly into her eyes.
"You were his second."
