She Was Never Just the Wife novel Chapter 48

Chapter 48

Chapter 48

This couldn’t have come at a better time.

Laylah texted back right away: [I’m free right now. Is there anything Teresa needs handed off? I can come over and handle it.]

4

A string of grateful emojis came back almost immediately. [Thank God, Laylah. I knew you were the reliable one. I’ll tell Warren right now and have them send you the reservation details and client file. You’re seriously a lifesaver. You always bail us out!]

Laylah looked at the screen, a faint smile tugging at her lips.

She really was that kind of person. Whenever the secretariat was short-handed, she was the one who stepped in. She treated the younger girls to some delicious and little designer trinkets.

To everyone around her, she was gentle, considerate, and thoughtful—the kind of woman everyone assumed would one day become the lady of Lucero Group. That was why every last-minute emergency always landed on her desk.

And that was exactly how she wanted it.

On the sixty-sixth floor of the Lucero Group headquarters…

The moment Laylah stepped into the secretariat in her heels, several young secretaries rushed over and started thanking her all at once.

“Laylah, you’re finally here. Teresa had to leave in a rush, and the files still aren’t sorted out,” someone said.

“Laylah, here’s Cloudscape’s reservation confirmation. The private room is the Breeze Suite, and the menu still needs Mr. Lucero’s final approval,” another chimed in.

“Here’s the client’s file. Colin is the Tarsis-Norveth president of the biggest medical-device group in Aegis. He’s here to discuss a major partnership, and Mr. Lucero is taking it very seriously,” a third added. Laylah then took the folder and skimmed through it.

“Don’t panic. Taylor, call Cloudscape and confirm the ingredients are fresh today. Colin doesn’t eat seafood, so ask them to prepare a backup menu. Lily, summarize the proposal. I’ll leave it in Mr. Lucero’s car so he can go over it on the way.”

She handed out instructions with calm efficiency, her voice soft but steady enough to put everyone at ease. The secretaries visibly relaxed and hurried off to do as she said.

Warren Buckley, the admin director, stepped out of his office and relaxed when he saw her. “Ms. Stein, sorry to trouble you again. I already spoke to Mr. Lucero. He said that as long as you’re handling it, he has nothing to worry about.”

“Of course,” Laylah said with a smile and a nod, but the words lingered in her mind. Beckham had said he had nothing to worry about.

19:32 Mon, May 11 d

Chapter 48

Those words were like a dose of reassurance, settling the last of her nerves.

47

With the folder in hand, she headed for the elevator to wait for Beckham in the parking garage. As she passed the CEO’s office, she noticed the door was slightly ajar.

Beckham’s voice drifted out from inside, more relaxed than she had heard in a long time. “Yeah. I’ll keep an eye on her. We shouldn’t underestimate Elliott… Yeah, I know.”

Laylah’s steps faltered for the briefest second, but she kept walking as if nothing had happened. Her nails, however, dug deep into her palm.

It was Celia. Again.

That name was like a thorn lodged in the place that hurt her most.

But it didn’t matter. Soon, everything would change.

In the underground garage, Laylah had already been waiting beside Beckham’s reserved parking space for five full minutes, the folder neatly tucked in her arms.

She had deliberately changed into a champagne-colored suit that day-elegant enough to impress, yet understated enough not to overshadow the client. The pearl studs at her ears glowed softly under the dim garage lights.

When Beckham stepped out of the elevator, this was what he saw: Laylah standing quietly by the car, her profile soft, her manner gentle, overlapping with the blurred shadow of the woman she used to be.

Beckham was momentarily lost in thought.

“Beckham.” Laylah stepped forward and handed him the folder. “These are the materials for tonight’s dinner. Everything at Cloudscape has been arranged, and I’ve drafted the menu too. Take a look and see if anything needs changing.”

Beckham took it, flipped through it, and gave a slight nod. “Looks fine. Thanks.”

“It’s nothing.” Laylah opened the car door for him with the easy familiarity of someone who had done it countless times. “I’m just glad I could help.”

Beckham got into the driver’s seat, and Laylah instinctively reached for the passenger door. Over the past three years, that had become her seat more often than not.

The car pulled out of the underground garage and slipped into the night traffic.

“Beckham,” Laylah said softly, just the right amount of concern in her voice, “I heard Ms. Ross ran into a bit of trouble that day. Does she need any help?”

Beckham’s fingers tightened slightly on the steering wheel, but his voice stayed flat when he spoke. “She can handle her own business.”

19:32 Mon, May 11 d

Chapter 48

“Alright.” Laylah lowered her eyes, her voice turning even softer as she added, “I just thought… You were married once, after all. If she really needs help, we should still help where we can.”

Beckham said nothing. Silence settled over the car.

47

Laylah didn’t push it. She only watched the city lights streak past outside the window, her handbag resting on her lap. Hidden inside, the black velvet box seemed to burn against her skin.

Twenty minutes later, Cloudscape’s understated gray building came into view. The doorman recognized Beckham’s car at once and hurried over.

Laylah got out first and quietly checked in with the restaurant manager before turning back to Beckham and saying, “Colin is already here. He’s waiting in the suite. I’m going to make sure the drinks are ready.

Beckham gave a small nod and headed straight for the private room.

Laylah watched him disappear down the corridor before turning toward the bar. Her heartbeat started picking up again, and a thin layer of sweat dampened her palms.

She only had one shot at this.

She walked up to the bar and smiled at the bartender. “Mr. Lucero is entertaining an important guest tonight. Please open and decant a 2010 bottle of Romanée-Conti. And bring me a glass of warm water too, thanks.”

The bartender nodded and turned to retrieve the wine from the cellar.

The moment his back was turned, Laylah quickly pulled the black box from her bag, opened it, and tipped the pale blue pill into her palm. With her other hand, she took the glass of warm water the bartender handed

over.

Her movements were quick and steady. The instant the pill touched the water, it dissolved without a trace. The water stayed perfectly clear.

Glass in hand, Laylah headed for the private room. By the time she pushed the door open, that flawless, gentle smile was already back on her face.

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