His Last Command Came Back to Kill Him novel Chapter 8

"My grandma might be completely in the dark about your true nature, but I see right through you," Leroy spat. "Who exactly is this pathetic act for? Do you honestly think my brother gives a damn about you?"

Whitley took a sharp breath, forcing herself to endure the stabbing pain in her abdomen and the hollow ache in her chest.

Everyone felt entitled to step on her.

And it was all because Clive allowed it. A husband's indifference dictates the family's disrespect.

To the Sherwoods, she was nothing.

She violently wrenched her arm out of Clive's grip. "Do you really think I want anything from this family? Get over yourselves."

Leroy blinked, caught off guard by the venom in her voice. She had always played the quiet, submissive punching bag in this house.

His face flushed with anger. "You—no wonder my brother can't stand you! He only loves Yelena!"

Clive shot a dark, freezing glare at his younger brother. "Show some respect. She's my wife."

Whitley laughed bitterly in her head.

What a brilliant, diplomatic deflection. The man was a master of semantics. He demanded respect for the 'wife,' but not once did he deny loving Yelena. As far as Clive was concerned, the title of 'wife' in his heart belonged to Yelena anyway.

She didn't waste another breath on them, turning on her heel and marching straight to the guest bedroom.

After swallowing a handful of painkillers she kept in her purse, she curled into a tight ball on the mattress, waiting for the relentless stabbing in her stomach to fade.

A few minutes later, a maid knocked and entered with a steaming mug.

"Madam, Bonnie noticed you were looking pale. She assumed you caught a chill and had the kitchen brew some cold medicine. Please drink it while it's hot."

In this massive, hollow mansion, Bonnie was the only one who genuinely cared if she lived or died.

Whitley's throat tightened. "Just leave it on the table. Tell her I said thank you."

He didn't budge.

His imposing weight pinned her down, his overpowering scent entirely engulfing her.

"If you're feeling crazy, go find Yelena!" she hissed through gritted teeth.

The words hit their mark.

He froze.

He didn't release her waist, but the kissing stopped. His face hovered inches from hers, his dark eyes swirling with a heavy, pitch-black intensity.

His thumb slowly dragged across her swollen bottom lip. His voice dropped to a lethally soft whisper.

"You're not her."