"Don't listen to her, Gladys." Warren didn't budge, but his stare bored into me. "She's putting on a show for you. She doesn't actually want a divorce."
He pulled Gladys away, his face tight with barely concealed panic.
But I caught every backward glance Gladys threw my way—and the hunger in her eyes.
A few days later, I sought her out myself.
"Let's make a deal."
Gladys didn't disappoint. Within two weeks, she'd slipped the divorce agreement into a stack of other documents and gotten Warren to sign without a second glance.
When I finally held those signed papers in my hands, I smiled and offered my congratulations.
Then I slid the wedding ring off my finger and placed it in her palm.
"Miss Fox. You've earned this."
She thought she'd won. Thought she was the phoenix rising to claim her throne.
She slipped the ring onto her finger, admiring it from every angle, chin lifted in triumph.
"Jade, I have to admit—I'm surprised. I didn't think you'd actually go through with it."
She gave me a magnanimous look. "But since you've been so gracious about this, I won't make things difficult for you."
She wasn't even married to Warren yet, and she was already playing the role of Mrs. Gilbert.
I finished the last of my coffee and rose, my smile serene.
"Miss Fox, I really should thank you. You threw yourself into the fire just to rescue me."
Gladys froze. Her head snapped up.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
