Chapter 20
He doesn’t love her at all anymore!
Jeannette had always been obedient in front of Eddy. After serving the tea and pastries, she quietly slipped upstairs to dress up, waiting to be summoned.
Once Jeannette disappeared up the stairs, Kelvin continued, “Every big shot has a few trophy girls around, but Eddy’s only ever spoiled Jeannette. Even if your wife finds out someday, it’s not like-”
“Blanche can never find out.”
Eddy’s voice cut through Kelvin’s smug chatter, cold and commanding. His sharp gaze swept over the group, and Kelvin’s breath caught in his throat..
He immediately changed his tune. “Of course, Blanche can’t know. Don’t worry, Eddy, we’re tight-lipped. We’ll keep this under wraps.”
But Blanche already knew.
Not only that, she was planning to leave Eddy.
Ingrid couldn’t believe that someone like Jeannette could come between them, or that she’d managed to hold Eddy’s interest for so long-long enough for them to have a child, long enough for Blanche to discover everything.
Now Blanche knew what it felt like to have the person she loved stolen away.
Remembering the anguish etched on Blanche’s face, Ingrid’s lips curled into a faint smile.
“Ingrid, just tell Eddy-what’s going on with Blanche?” Kelvin pressed.
“What do you think? Her period’s coming up. Of course she’s not herself.”
Ingrid had no intention of telling Eddy about Blanche’s plan.
Eddy loved Blanche to his bones. Only if Blanche truly left would he become the man he used to be-and only then would Ingrid have a chance.
Kelvin let out a sigh of relief at Ingrid’s explanation. “See, Eddy? Nothing to worry about. She just needs a few days. Once she’s feeling better, she’ll be glued to you again.”
But Eddy frowned. He’d forgotten Blanche’s cycle.
He never forgot things like that.
Kelvin, sensing the tension, decided to make an exit. “We’ll leave you two alone. I’ll come back for Jeannette later.”
He paused on the way out, hesitating. “Eddy, are you really sending Jeannette overseas?”
“If Jeannette hadn’t spent time at the lake house with Healy, Blanche would never have met her.
Five years without crossing paths; they’d never have met otherwise. Is it really necessary to send her away?”
Kelvin had seen for himself how devoted Eddy was to Jeannette.
He needed her almost every day.
If Eddy really sent her away, he doubted his friend could handle it.
Thinking of Blanche’s frail state, Kelvin clicked his tongue inwardly. Eddy had put up with a lot over the years.
“I
gave Blanche
my word. I’ll see it through.”
With a wave of his hand, Eddy dismissed them. Kelvin and Ingrid left the room.
As Ingrid pulled the door shut behind her, Jeannette reappeared, descending the stairs in a revealing negligee.
Ingrid’s eyes widened with barely contained fury, as if she wanted to tear Jeannette apart.
But she refused to stoop to jealousy over a woman who would never be more than a mistress-a mere diversion.
She had her eyes set on being the rightful lady of The Simmons Group.
After they left, Jeannette nestled into Eddy’s arms, her fingers tracing slow, teasing circles down his chest, inching lower until they rested on his inner thigh. Her voice turned soft and sweet. “Eddy, won’t you try the tea I made for you?”
She picked up a teacup, sipped, and brought her lips to Eddy’s.
His throat moved as he swallowed, eyes darkening. He pulled her into a hungry kiss.
Across the wide driveway, Blanche sat behind the wheel, watching their passionate embrace through the windshield.
Her face was as pale as a ghost.
Bright red blood pooled beneath her, staining the seat.
The blow to her body and soul was too much. Everything went black, and she slumped forward,
unconscious.
Outside the house, voices rose in panic as people gathered around.
Eddy caught sight of the red Ferrari in the crowd. He shoved Jeannette aside and ran out the door.
“My love!” he shouted, desperate, searching for Blanche.
