Page 88 of Coerced Queen

“Point taken.”He puts his money away.“Tell your ladybug I say hi.”

He has a nickname for her?Like some term of endearment?

“Ladybug?”I ask, simmering with jealous rage.

“That’s what I christened her for her luck.Those cute little beetles do bring luck, didn’t you know?”

“Yes,” I drawl.“Anya has always been my lucky charm.”

“Please convey my greetings, and tell her if she ever needs a favor, I’m at her disposal.”

With a slight bow, he takes his leave.

Motherfucker.

I feel like punching him.Killing him.I know what it feels like when your wife sneaks around with other men behind your back.Rachele taught me that painful lesson.But Anya said no.And that’s a huge fucking deal.If she only did it because she wanted to boast about being the faithful wife on the surface, she would’ve told me.On the contrary, she kept quiet about Bennett’s sick proposal.Because she did it for the right reasons.She rejected all that money because she made a vow on our wedding day, a vow she very much intends to keep.For that, I can only admire the hell out of her.And I can no longer pretend I don’t trust her.

ChapterTwenty-Eight

Anya

Bertrand sits on a bench in the staffroom of the rehabilitation center with his legs kicked out in front of him, balancing the box of doughnuts I brought on his lap.

“Always loved these,” he says, picking out the one with the strawberry icing.

“Howarethings going?It’s been too long.I’m sorry I couldn’t come sooner.I was snowed under with, well, having a baby and running a business while my husband recovered.”

He bites into the doughnut and hums his approval.“You don’t have to apologize.I know your life has been crazy.How is that little princess of yours?Claire, right?”

I’m sure my whole face must light up.“She’s amazing.But you haven’t answered my question.How areyoudoing?”

“Same old.Nothing much changes around here.”

I motion at his bicep.“How’s your arm?”

“It was just a shallow cut.She couldn’t do much damage with that blunt knife.”

My cheeks heat with embarrassment for my mom’s behavior.Bertrand has only been good to her.That was a shitty way to repay him.“I’m so sorry it happened.”

“Not the first time.”He takes another humongous bite and says around the pastry in his mouth, “It’s probably not the last.”

“Don’t say that,” I exclaim.“I’ll worry for you.”

He finishes the rest of the treat in two big bites and dusts his hands.“Any word from her?”

I rub my palms over my thighs.“She came to the house twice, asking for money and a place to stay, but I don’t trust her around Claire.”

I briefly relay the ultimatum I gave my mom as well as what Saverio told me, that she wanted to see us and that she claimed to have a job and an apartment.

Coming to the end of my story, I frown.“It doesn’t make sense.She’s up to something.”

“Mary has never been enthusiastic about anything, at least not since you moved her in here.”Bertrand tips his head sideways and glances at the ceiling as if deep in thought.“Come to think of it, she had a strange look about her ever since your cousin visited.She almost had a feverish light in her eyes.She didn’t just seem excited.She appeared downright ecstatic.”

“Hold on.Back up one second.My cousin?”

“Yeah.”He gives me a quizzical look.“Tall guy, brown hair, dark eyes, fancy suit?”

“But…” I stare at him, confused.“I don’t have a cousin.My mom has no other family but me.”

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