Wealth Without Him Rising from Betrayal (Grace Wilson) novel Chapter 14

Chapter 14

The accusation struck like a physical blow. ‘You don’t understand the situation.”

“Don’t I? Laura has told me plenty, Richard. Your fake wife Grace is suddenly all over the financial pages, saving deals, commanding boardrooms. Meanwhile, Laura drinks herself to sleep wondering if you re forgetting what’s real and what’s just for show.”

I swerved around a slow-moving car, raindrops streaking across the windows. I’ll be there in ten minutes. Make sure she doesn’t leave.”

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I found them in the private VIP booth at the back of Velvet Lounge. Laura was sprawled across the velvet couch, her hair matted, mascara streaking down her flushed cheeks. The sight of her normally so meticulous about her appearance-in this disheveled state hit me harder than

I expected.

Stella sat beside her, scrolling through her phone. She looked up as I approached, satisfaction evident in her expression.

“Your husband’s here,” she announced to Laura, who barely stirred.

I moved to Laura’s side, brushing hair from her face. “Laura, hey. Let’s get you home.”

Her eyes fluttered open, unfocused and bloodshot. “Rich? You came. Her words slurred together. “Didn’t think… would leave your important

meeting.

“Of course I came.” I glanced at the empty champagne bottles. “How much has she had?”

“Not enough to forget her problems. Stella shrugged. “You’ve been cold to Laura lately, and you don’t even care about her feelings regarding

the whole Grace situation.”

“Laura’s afraid you’re starting to believe your own lies, Stella continued, leaning forward.

“That’s ridiculous,” I snapped, though something uncomfortable stirred in my chest. “It’s all for show, for the company.”

“I don’t want to know about your special arrangement, but Laura has gambled her entire life for you. You can’t let her down!”

I took a deep breath to calm myself. “You should go now. I’ll explain everything to her.”

Once we were alone, I sat beside Laura, who clutched at my sleeve with surprising strength.

“Don’t leave me,” she pleaded, her eyes suddenly focused and desperate. Like at the lake… don’t leave me again.”

The lake. The memory hit me with unexpected force.

I was seventeen, showing off at an elite summer camp by taking a boat out despite gathering storm clouds. When the storm hit and the boat capsized, I’d been caught in underwater weeds, panic flooding my lungs alongside the icy water.

As I was losing consciousness, a girl swam over determinedly, cut me free with her small knife, and dragged me to safety.

Someone performed CPR on me. When I finally coughed up water and opened my eyes to see Laura’s face above me, I made a silent yow: I would protect this girl forever. She had saved my life. I owed her everything.

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11:55 Mon, Feb 23

Chapter 14

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“I’m sorry, this is all my fault.” I said. “The recent collaborations have all gone wrong, we’ve suffered heavy losses, and home has been chaotic.

I’ve been too preoccupied to take care of you.”

“I’m just afraid… that you’ve changed, Laura’s eyes filled with uncertainty

“You saved my life, and I made a vow never to leave you. Otherwise…”

Laura silenced my words with a kiss.

“I believe you.”

“I’m here,” I said softly now, stroking her hair. I won’t leave you.”

Yet even as I said it, an unwelcome comparison formed in my mind. Laura beautiful but broken, needing constant reassurance. And Grace- composed, self-sufficient Grace, who handled billion-dollar negotiations without breaking a sweat, who carried herself with quiet dignity even when my family treated her terribly.

The thought felt like a betrayal, and I pushed it away immediately. Laura had given up everything for me. She’d given me Emma, our daughter. She’d agreed to live in the shadows while I built our future with another woman as my public wife.

“Let’s go home, I said, lifting Laura into my arms.

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