The Stand-In Who Burned the Script novel Chapter 44

Vivian simply turned her head, the glow of the lighter illuminating her radiant complexion.

Looking up at the tall man standing before her, she gave a half-smile. "Nothing. Just burning some trash."

Looking over her head, Jonah could see that the person in the photos was him.

He frowned. "When did you take those?"

"Does it matter? They're going up in smoke anyway."

Her voice was devoid of emotion as she turned back and set the photos alight right in front of him. "You know I've never liked forcing you to do things you hate. And you hate taking pictures, right?"

Jonah was momentarily speechless at her response.

When did Vivian become so accommodating?

He couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. "It's not safe to burn things indoors," he said firmly.

"Oh." Vivian didn't even spare him a glance. "Then I'll find somewhere else next time."

The smoke grew thicker, curling upward and filling the room.

For some inexplicable reason, a strange sensation washed over Jonah.

It was as if this woman might also turn into smoke and vanish into the wind at any second.

He reached down and hauled her up from the floor. "Don't just sit here. Let's step outside."

Vivian was burning the photos in a metal trash can, so there wasn't any real fire hazard. The thick smoke was just suffocating, much like the man standing in front of her.

He had only caught her burning photos; he hadn't noticed that the villa was missing a significant amount of furniture and belongings, which the housekeeper had already hauled away.

Plants, decorative pieces, throw blankets.

Even the spot by the floor-to-ceiling windows where the rocking chair used to be was now completely empty.

He dragged her to the door before she finally lost her temper and yanked her arm free. "You show up first thing in the morning. What exactly do you want?"

Jonah finally remembered why he had come back. Sliding his long, elegant fingers into his pockets, he said in a smooth tone, "We leave the country in two days. I need to take you for a checkup first."

A cynical smile touched Vivian's lips. "What kind of checkup?"

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify