My voice was flat, almost like I was talking about someone else’s pain when I replied, “Because the woman he loves… isn’t me.”
Maggie looked confused. “That can’t be. Mr. Stanley spent a fortune on your wedding. Everyone said he was head over heels in love with you.”
My grip tightened on the phone as a bitter smile tugged at my lips.
Nobody knew that that wedding was meant for Janice.
The dress I wore had been tailored to her measurements. Even the invitations had originally listed her name, only to be hastily changed to mine.
And I’d lied to myself, thinking he just didn’t have time to prepare properly. But we still had three full months before the wedding.
Looking back now, I only regret one thing — that I let greed get the best of me. That I thought I could warm a man’s heart when I was just a stand-in.
I knew the truth all along… and still said yes to his proposal.
That’s when Alexis’s secretary, Roy George, showed up with a group of men and surrounded us.
“Madam,” he said, “Mr. Stanley has instructed that you're not to go to Arlington. Miss Brewer has already hired a spiritualist to perform a ritual for the remains tomorrow.”