Page 49 of Marcel

She was about toanswer when she caught sight of the woman descending the stairs, achampagne glass in one hand and the other trailing along thebanister.

She had not seenSimone Wellington since she had blown up on her in Marcel’soffice. And she had not confronted her husband with the informationhis father had given her about their meeting later that day.

The truth is, she didnot want to know if he had been with the woman. Trying not to noticehow beautiful she was, she tore her gaze from Simone and turned toher mother-in-law.

“You don’tneed to worry about her,” Wendy said quietly.

“Do I lookworried?” Lifting the champagne to her lips, she took a sip andtried not to notice the woman approaching the group where her husbandwas.

“That shamelessbitch!” She hissed.

“Nikki-”

“I cannotbelieve how brazen she is.”

Putting her glassaway, she was about to march over there when she noticed that Marcelwas making his way toward her after saying something briefly to her.

“Hi.” Shewas so happy that he had walked away that she simply wanted to throwherself in his arms.

“Hi.” Hisgolden eyes searched her face. “There is something I need toshow you.”

“Really?Where?”

Taking the glass fromher, he handed it to the waiter. “Mother, would you excuseus?”

“Of course.”Wendy gave them a pleased smile.

Taking her hand, heled the way to the left flight of stairs that led to a large roomwith a few people milling around. He was still holding her hand, hisfingers curled against hers.

“What are welooking at?” she asked, staring at the explosion of colors onthe canvas.

“What do youthink?”

“Wait, is thata Jackson Colby?”

“One of hismore recent pieces. I think it would look great in your office.”

She turned to look athim, her heart pumping with joy. “You are buying me a painting?For my office?”

“Do you likeit?” He asked with raised brows.

“I love it.”

“Then it’ssettled.”

“You are buyinga painting for my office.”

“Your walls arebare.”

“That’strue.” Turning to face him, she gave him a curious look.“Why?”

“A simple thankyou will do.”

“Thank you.Why?”

Shaking his head, hegrinned at her. “You are my wife, and I like spending money onyou.”

“You keepthrowing that word around.”

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