The Stand In Wife's Revenge novel Chapter 14

Welcome to your new home, Ava Alex’s voice broke the stillness with a smooth comforting tone.

The car glided to a halt and he parked in front of a huge mansion, he got out quickly and rounded the car to get the door for me and I got out, my legs shaky from exhaustion.

I couldn’t help but look around as I felt lost in the beauty and magnificent. I had never Imagined stepping into a place like this, much less staying in it.

“This is where you stay… alone?‘ I inquired, unable to control the wonder that was beginning to seep into my voice.

This world, Alex’s unexpected offer of assistance and the peculiar weight of being in a mansion that seemed to belong to someone much more significant than myself were all still rocking my head.

Alex smiled, a glimmer of something nearly gentle in his eyes as though he recognized my perplexity.

As if it were the most natural thing in the world he stated plainly “For the time being, you are my company.”

I was at a loss for words. His words hung in midair, vague and open like a thread that if I pulled on it might reveal something more profound. But I was not yet prepared for that.

I had no idea what I was supposed to expect from this whole situation. After he led me up the broad stone stairs I entered the mansion and the enormous double doors opened to let me see the inside.

A small group of maids waited for us while standing at attention. They appeared to fit in here as they were as calm and well–groomed as everything else. They took my suitcase from my hands with smooth accurate movements without saying a word.

They worked quickly as though they had done this a million times already. I looked around admiring the opulent surroundings as one of the maids passed

1. me.

It felt like entering a dream except that I didn’t own it. After Alex ushered me inside I couldnt help but look around. Alex led me down a lengthy hallway with portraits of strangers lining the walls.

They all appeared to be looking down at me with serious stern faces though some were younger and some older. Time–locked they were uncompromising. And I had the impression that I was too little and fleeting in that instant.

During our stroll I paused at one of the portraits. A striking woman with a soft face dark hair and a composed elegant smile.

She seemed to know me or at least recognize her from somewhere and her presence in the painting unnerved me. Alex came to a halt as well looking at me.

The sight of what I was staring at caused his eyes to soften slightly. Without my having to ask he said “That’s Fiona… My wife.

I blinked, unsure of how to react to that. Why I was seeing her picture here and what had happened to her were unknown to me. But it was the resemblance that really got my attention. She bore a striking resemblance to me more than a fleeting one. I was unable to explain the connection that existed there.

“You two do share some similarities‘ Alex added in a steady but quiet voice.

My chest skipped a beat. I wasnt expecting the words to feel so heavy and full of meaning. I looked at the image trying to make sense of it. This woman seemed to have been removed from my life and I was only now realizing how similar they were–like a ghost prowling the periphery of my own reality.

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01:56 Sun, Mar 8

Chapter 14

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Alex’s expression was unreadable, a mask of composure that revealed nothing when I turned to face him. Even though they were straightforward, his words

stuck in my head

I wasn’t sure I wanted to know the remaining details but I was sure it wasn’t just a casual remark. I forced myself to look past the photo by shaking my

bead.

Whatever feelings that picture evoked I wasn’t prepared to dive right in. I had to concentrate on the here and now on what was happening. I was unaware of

the surprises that awaited me in this new world that Alex had unlocked.

Alex stepped aside and opened a door wide at the end of the hall to let me in. The room beyond was enormous with a big plush bed and warm inviting furnishings. With some hesitancy I entered and surveyed the room.

It all exuded elegance and wealth with serene hues and soft colors that were not overpowering.

It seemed from every corner of the room was inviting me in even though I didn’t agree with that.

I felt insignificant and out of place in this place. It was the weight of the unknown rather than the rooms size or opulence alone. I ignored the thoughts though.

Accepting the reality I was being thrown into was my only option for the time being.

Alex broke my thoughts with a firm yet low voice “This will be your room, Ava. The maids will bring your lunch up here in a short while. Take a shower and try to relax. Remember that we still need to sign a few documents.”

Although his words ought to have sounded more authoritative, they didn’t feel like a directive for some reason. It felt more like a mutual understanding as if he were allowing me to take a breather.

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