Chapter 3
The moment Amy Carter stepped into her bedroom, the wedding portrait of her and Walter Davis on the wall caught her eye–proof of his love that now made her feel like a fool.
She ordered the servants to gather all couple photos in the garden. Expressionless, she tossed them one by one into the fire barrel until she picked up the family portrait of three.
Memories stabbed through her chest like a blade.
When did her beloved husband go rotten?
Just last night, he’d held her, whispering he’d sacrifice his life to see her happy. His convincing act had nearly de- stroyed her.
Amy glanced at the text received a minute ago:
“Research begins in ten days. Prepare as test subject.”
She deleted it. Her heart shattered like the photos turning to ash.
She’d erase every trace of Walter Davis from her existence.
Late that night, Walter emerged from the basement to find flames roaring in the garden. Amy stood enveloped in
smoke.
He vaulted over the fence, stumbling as he sprinted to pull her into his arms.
“Amy, are you hurt?”
Frowning, his eyes scanning her for injuries, he finally exhaled in relief.
Whirling toward the butler, he snapped, “Who let my wife handle this?”
“You’re all dead?”
Amy stepped back, tossing the last photo into the fire. “I wanted to do it myself.”
“Everything here reminds me of Robert. Burning them ends that.”
Walter lifted her steadily. “Forgive me. I should’ve returned sooner. Work consumed me.”
This time, Amy offered no understanding. Staring at his face, she saw his and Michelle’s entwined bodies in the base-
ment.
He carried her to their bedroom, sliding a stock transfer agreement forward with slender fingers.
“Fifty–one percent of Davis family shares.”
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Chapter 3
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Guiding her hand to the transferee line, he murmured, “You’ll reign as the true mistress. Even I’ll answer to you.”
His gaze dropped to her lips, thumb brushing them lightly.
“Tomorrow’s banquet gathers all directors and relatives. I’ll announce this publicly.”
“Amy, I love you. I’d give you every precious thing on earth–and a surprise tomorrow.”
Leaning close, his cedar–scented breath warmed her ear.
But tears bloomed across the agreement, blurring ink where they fell.
Love could indeed be faked. She wasn’t his only.
All these years he’d watched her crumble with indifference, even as she neared death–yet coddled the woman who’d killed their child.
Walter frantically wiped her tears, kissing her cheek. “Darling, I fear daily you’ll leave this world… leave me.”
He produced two matching watches, love blazing in his eyes. “Put on the watch. I’ve downloaded the custom software to connect our heartbeats.
“Robert is gone, but we must be together forever.”
Amy felt sick.
She turned away to avoid his kiss, swallowing the grievances and questions in her throat.
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