Chapter 1
After six years as his wife, Blanche Griffiths came to a terrible realization: every tender glance, every loving word from her husband had been an exquisitely crafted deception.
How could a man be such a convincing actor?
He’d always said he loved her, loved her more than anything in the world. But could this really be called love?
She’d made up her mind. It was time to leave.
“Director–General, please arrange for my immediate return to the unit.”
“Laney, if you disappear without warning, Eddy Simmons might lose his mind.” The man’s voice on the other end was calm, with a hint of surprise. He knew about their six–year marriage, about their son. By all appearances, it was a happy family.
Her husband, Eddy, worshipped her, spoiled her, would do anything for her.
“He doesn’t matter anymore.” Blanche gripped the phone so tightly her knuckles whitened.
“Understood. Losing you was the organization’s greatest regret. Give us a month–no more. We’ll take care of everything. ‘Blanche‘ will vanish from the world. ‘Cipher‘ will return to the team.”
“Thank you, Director–General.”
Blanche ended the call.
The computer’s surveillance footage flickered before her: a man and a woman entangled in nearly every corner of the villa.
Every second of it stabbed at her eyes.
Never, not in ten years of knowing and loving Eddy–since their days in school uniforms to the moment she’d walked down the aisle–had she imagined he would betray her.
And with their son’s nanny, no less.
In the study, multicolored condom wrappers were strewn across the floor, a few still weighted under the safe’s open door–right on top of their marriage certificate.
After Healy was born, Blanche’s health had suffered. She’d wanted another child, but it was never possible. They hadn’t used condoms in years.
Yet on the surveillance feed, she watched Eddy tear open one after another, insatiable.
How could he do this to her?
Suddenly, a notification popped up on the computer screen. Eddy’s phone messages were synced to his computer.
Chapter 1
[Healy says he’ll call Blanche ‘Mommy‘ and call me ‘Momma.‘ What about you, darling?]
Almost instantly, a reply appeared in the chat box: [Well, you’re my wife then.]
Blanche stared at that word-“Wife“-and collapsed into her office chair, clutching her aching chest.
Her hands balled into fists, nails biting into her palms until blood welled up.
But the pain in her hands was nothing compared to the pain in her heart.
She forced herself to stay composed and scrolled through thousands of their shameless
messages.
So that’s when it started. Right after Healy was born, Eddy began his affair.
Five years. Five years of lies, and Eddy never slipped once.
The wedding photo on the floor, once a symbol of deep devotion, now looked more offensive than the pile of condom wrappers.
She thought of her son, Healy.
Today was Parent–Child Day at his preschool. Just picturing Healy with Jeannette Doyle–calling her “Momma“-made Blanche’s heart twist in agony.
That was her son.
She grabbed her car keys and hurried downstairs, only to overhear the maids whispering in the hallway.
“Oh my God, what’s this? Why was it hidden in the mistress’s laundry?”
“A few scraps of torn lace–this counts as clothing?”
“Shh, it belongs to her,” one maid murmured, lowering her voice.
“Just toss it in her room.”
“Shameless homewrecker, seducing the master–doesn’t she fear retribution…”
Blanche watched as the maids opened the guest room downstairs–Jeannette’s room–and tossed a lacy negligee inside, their laughter echoing in the hall.
“Ma’am? Ma’am!”
The maids turned to see Blanche standing dazed in the living room, and immediately pretended to be busy, scurrying away.
So, she thought bitterly, I’m the only one in this house who didn’t know.
Numb, she rushed to the preschool. There, she saw Jeannette and Healy playing together.
“Mommy, where’s the fruit tart?” Healy spotted her empty hands and frowned.
Chapter 1
“I forgot, Healy,” she said quietly.
“Then go get one right now!” Healy snapped, temper flaring. “Miss Jean’s been asking for it all week.”
“No need, Healy. If I want one, I’ll get it myself,” Jeannette said gently, the perfect picture of understanding.
Blanche almost laughed at her own naivety. She’d always thought Jeannette was such a caring nanny, always went out of her way for Healy. Blanche had even gone out of her way to reward
her.
What a fool she’d been.
