Page 13 of The Billionaire's Wife

I grabbed the stack and studied the picture on the top box. It was the castle in Germany everyone said was the inspiration for Sleeping Beauty. Or Cinderella. I could never remember. But it was mostly white, and the photo had been taken in winter with gray skies and snow on the ground.

I glanced up. “You never choose the easy ones.”

“They’re not as fun.” He pulled the castle box off the top. “Is that one better?”

I wanted to groan. Where the castle had been mostly white, this was awash with color. The field of lavender and sunflowers was beautiful. But also not easy. “Maybe you could choose the one that took you the least amount of time to do. I imagine I’ll still need at least twice as long.”

Tristan smirked and took the sunflowers off the stack. He tapped the remaining box in my hand. “This one was pretty simple.”

“Starry Night.” It was my favorite painting. I glanced up at him, but his expression was blank. I swallowed and let the questions swirl around in my head like the glow of the stars on the box. “Perfect. Should I set up in the front room?”

He shook his head. “In here is better.”

Tristan put the rejected puzzles back in the closet and shut the doors. He opened the table legs and flipped it up before positioning it in front of the couch. “That work?”

“Sure. Thanks.” I hesitated. It suddenly occurred to me how big of an imposition I really was. “I appreciate this, Tristan.”

He shot me a tight smile. I didn’t know what he would have said if a chime hadn’t gone off.

“That’s the door. Probably my admin, Arlene. I’ll be back. You need coffee or anything?”

I shook my head.

“All right.” He paused, pressed his lips together, then stalked through the office door, and pulled it closed behind him.

My eyebrows lifted. Maybe he always shut his office door. It could simply be habit. But it felt personal.

I swallowed the lump in my throat. I should have asked for water.

I thought about cracking the door, poking my head out, and seeing if that was a possibility. But no. If I had to guess, I was the big secret he didn’t want getting out. His friends had called and texted a lot on Sunday—I guess Tristan missing church was still a big deal—and he hadn’t mentioned me.

Not that I was eavesdropping or anything.

Okay, fine. Yes I was.

And I had no business being bothered by it. I’d been the one to walk. I’d been the one who disappeared.

I sighed and settled back down on the couch. I should’ve found another way. Something that didn’t include Tristan. Because two days with him had made it very clear that fourteen years wasn’t enough time for him to lose the ability to get me to do anything he wanted.

I wiggled the lid off the puzzle and set the empty box top face down next to the pieces. Step one? Find the edges.

Step two?

I guess I’d cross that bridge when I found it.

By the end of the day, I was positive that Tristan was doing his best to keep anyone from knowing I was around. He’d ordered lunch in. If I needed a drink, he fetched it. His admin needed to talk to him? He went out to her.

And when I’d needed to use the restroom, he’d gone out to create a distraction with Arlene so she wouldn’t see me slip down the hall.

It was ridiculous.

“Good night, Mr. Lee.” Arlene called from the front office.

“Good night.” Tristan called back then moved to the door and cracked it open. He tilted his head.

Was the angle one that let him see her leave? Must be.

“We’ll give her ten minutes, in case she forgets something.” Tristan shut the door and returned to his desk.

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