Every Time He Goes Cold, My Fortune Grows

Chapter 3

Kendall moved into the hillside mansion, saying she needed to adjust to the time difference.

She took the bright main guest room on the second floor, while I stayed in the smaller, shaded bedroom that had always been mine.

The first morning I came downstairs, I saw Kendall in the kitchen, wearing one of Killian's oversized white shirts, her legs bare, pouring herself a glass of milk.

Killian sat at the table reading the morning paper, his eyes drifting toward her again and again.

When she noticed me, Kendall gave a bright, perfect smile. "Wynne, you're up? I'm so sorry, I ate that jar of nourishing dessert you had in the fridge. I hope you don't mind?"

It was a rare, premium tonic that Killian's assistant had delivered just the day before.

I shook my head, smiling gently. "Not at all. I'm glad you enjoyed it. It was never really my taste anyway."

If the food was gone, I could just have its value added to my account instead.

Killian set down his paper and looked at me, his gaze sharp and cold.

"Kendall has a weak heart and needs extra care. From now on, everything of value in this house goes to her first."

I nodded obediently. "I understand, Mr. Rourke."

Over the next two weeks, I became practically invisible in my own home. Killian poured all his attention on Kendall.

He took her to art exhibitions, to concerts, and once, when she mentioned craving a dish from a restaurant across the city, he drove halfway through the night just to bring it back to her.

To me, he gave nothing but silence, nearly two whole weeks of being ignored. He wouldn't speak to me, wouldn't even take a single bite of the meals I made.

But that was fine. Because every single day, without fail, another twenty thousand dollars appeared on my second card.

My routine was simple: slip out quietly while Kendall wasn't looking, and head to the goldsmith. My glass jar was filling up fast with gold beads.

I'd started browsing house listings online in that quiet town down south. I'd found one I loved, a modest home with a small yard and a large, sweet-scented oak tree.

The owner wanted one hundred and fifty thousand dollars in full. At the rate I was saving, I would have it all in just two more months.

Near the end of the month, a big charity gala was held in the city. In the past, Killian would always take me along.

I was only there to stand quietly beside him like a doll, but at least I got to enjoy the finest steak dinners.

This time, he took Kendall. I thought I'd be perfectly happy staying home, counting my gold beads. But halfway through the evening, Killian's assistant drove back to collect me.

"Ms. Kincaid, Mr. Rourke needs you there right away."

I put on my plain black evening gown and hurried to the venue.

When I stepped through the tall carved doors, I saw them at once, Killian and Kendall standing beneath the crystal chandelier, looking like the perfect couple as people gathered around to admire them.

I kept my head down and stepped quietly to my place, just behind Killian. The guests around me watched with amusement and scorn.

Everyone knew, the woman he truly cared about was back, and I was nothing more than a cheap stand-in with no real place here.

"Killian, why did you send for her?" Kendall asked, holding his arm.

Killian swirled the red wine in his glass, his tone casual and dismissive. "You said your dress got stained, didn't you? Let her go with you to the restroom and fix it."

So I was called here just to be her maid.

I lowered my head even further. "This way, Ms. Kesswick."

Kendall looked at me with a faint, knowing smile, and followed me toward the restroom.