The sunlight streamed into the penthouse with deceptive warmth, but inside, the atmosphere was anything but peaceful. The days since Annie’s arrival had been a series of tense silences, cruel encounters, and Henry’s growing realization of the woman he’d married.
Catherina paced in the kitchen, a glass of wine in hand though it was barely noon. Her mind raced, replaying the past days over and over. Annie’s calm defiance and Henry’s protectiveness over her grated on her nerves. She couldn’t let this woman ruin everything.
She stopped mid-stride, her lips curling into a bitter smile. There was one more card to play.
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The doorbell to a modest home on the outskirts of town rang sharply. Catherina waited impatiently, tapping her heel against the tiled floor of the porch. When the door fin
