Total pages in book: 44
Estimated words: 40554 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 203(@200wpm)___ 162(@250wpm)___ 135(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 40554 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 203(@200wpm)___ 162(@250wpm)___ 135(@300wpm)
I check my watch. Lauren is right. I waited a long time, and if I've learned anything when it comes to my wife, I don't need to wait. That was the problem to begin with. Never again. That's why I excuse myself to go check on her but get stopped short.
"Isn't that—" I follow Lauren's line of sight to see Emily, my assistant. She is dressed for the event, so maybe she's here with a date, but wouldn't she have mentioned that to me? Emily knew I'd be here tonight.
"Did you—"
"Invite her? No. I don't much care for her." Emily is making her way toward me. I see a folder in her hand. I give her the benefit of the doubt, even though I shouldn't. She could have been at an event of her own, and a work emergency popped up, and now she's tracking me down instead of calling.
"Sir, thank God I found you." She gives Lauren a tight smile. "I need to speak with you." Emily glances at Lauren again. "Privately."
"This is my lawyer. You can speak freely." Emily clutches the folder more tightly to her chest. "Out with it. I'm here to enjoy the evening with my wife."
"That's the thing." Emily steps closer, and I narrow my eyes on her. "Sir, she's not who you think."
"I have known my wife for most of my life. She is the only reason you haven't been fired, so I'd keep that in mind before you speak again," I warn her, making her cheeks flush with anger.
"She's conning you with the rest of her family," Emily hisses out. "Take a look for yourself." She shoves the folder into my chest.
"You're fired." I take the folder and toss it down onto the table. I refuse to look at it. I wouldn’t give Emily the satisfaction of thinking I would for one second doubt Truly.
A few people are pretending to not pay attention to what is happening. I don't give a shit. Watch all you want. Lauren could give less of a shit if a scene is caused. In fact, she might even encourage it, as it would generate discussion and bring attention to her charity's name.
"What?" Emily sputters. Lauren yawns. "I came here to help you. Just read it."
"It doesn't matter." Do I care if she's fucking me over with a con? Sure, but what does it change in the big picture? Nothing because Truly will remain my wife, and if she finds enjoyment in running cons, so be it.
I'll have to show her that it's her parents that are fucked in the head or more fucked in the head than me. I don't have an issue with that. If this is all true, which I highly doubt. Truly can't lie to save her life, and she's too sweet to run a con on anyone else; it's for the greater good.
"What do you mean it doesn't matter? Have you lost your mind?"
"When it comes to his wife, he lost that long, long ago." Lauren laughs and takes a sip of her champagne.
"I don't understand." Emily's face scrunches. I don't believe her remark is to us, but more to herself. "All she has is a last name." Again, she’s talking to herself like she's trying to solve a problem that she was sure she already knew the answer to.
"Her last name means nothing to me."
"He means maiden," Lauren chimes in.
Fair point. I want to share a last name with her, for our family that we're building. That thought has me smiling until Emily starts rambling again, almost manic. It has the hairs on the back of my neck standing up.
Why is she doing this here and now?
"What?" Lauren asks, sensing my shift.
"Don't let her go anywhere. I'm going to find my wife." This time I pick up the pace, a bad feeling settling over me. A fear that I didn’t think I was possible of feeling creeps in.
I make it to the ladies’ room in record time. “Truly?” I bang on the door, but there’s no response. “I’m coming in.” I know I shouldn’t enter, but this is an emergency. I push the door open into what looks like a lounge area, but it’s empty. “Truly?” I shout her name again, but I’m met with silence. I continue into the restroom, but it’s vacant.
Panic begins to fill me, but I know that it’s not going to help my cause right now. I scan my surroundings, looking for any trace of my wife. There is no way she would have left without saying anything.
Truly is still the sweet girl that she has always been. She wants to see the best in people, and trust. She’s not one to push back, or at least she used to be. My wife still has all the soft sweetness to her, but when push comes to shove and she’s backed into a corner, she’ll come out swinging.