Chapter 31: The Crash

Cora gave the tall stranger a once-over. Handsome, yes—ridiculously so—but something in his bright green eyes screamed complication. Maybe Julian had spoiled her for pretty faces; she felt zero interest.

“If you’re paying, just pay,” she said coolly. “Give the money to my driver.”

He opened his mouth. She lifted a hand. “I’m busy. I’ll keep the card. You’re not wriggling out of the repair.”

She slid back into the car and told the driver to go. If she delayed Julian’s paperwork, she was dead.

On the curb, the man—Liam Mayer—watched her taillights until they vanished. “Run the plate,” he said at last, voice turning flinty. Power settled on him like a coat. “Why does she look exactly like Qara?”

His aide swallowed. “Yes, Mr. Mayer.”

“And you saw it, right?” Liam pressed, softer. “She’s… almost her.”

“In appearance, nearly identical,” the aide admitted. “But the temperament is different.”

“Exactly.” A fleeting ache crossed Liam’s face. “My Qara was never that… healthy.” Then the mask was back. “Find out who she is.”

—

Cora made it to Alders in a sprint. When Julian took the envelope, his gaze flicked to the sweat beading at her nose. He knew she’d run.

“Good work. Take the day. Shop,” he said, too casual.

She clocked Austin’s absence; no wonder she’d been dispatched. “I’m fine. Nothing to buy.”

Across the table, a man smirked. “So this is the special assistant Riley mentioned. Mr. Watson, you do keep surprises.”

“Sign,” Julian said flatly, sliding the contract. “And cut the commentary.”

Cora slipped out. On the sidewalk, freedom felt oddly pointless. She’d planned to head home—then remembered the sedan had been towed straight to the shop. No car. And she’d never told Julian.

Fine. The old place was nearby. She could cancel the lease properly, bring back a few things. She hailed a cab.

They were blocks away when chaos on the sidewalk snagged her eye—women shouting, grabbing, one raising a brick. In the middle, hair mussed and heels wobbling—

“Riley?” Cora blurted. “Driver, stop!”

She jumped out. “Riley, run!”

Cora seized her wrist and bolted for the cab. The driver stomped the gas, and the mob shrank in the rear window.

Only then did Riley yank off her stilettos and glare. “Why did you help me?”

“We work together,” Cora said, breathless. “And Alders and Watson are partners. I couldn’t just watch.”

Riley snorted. “At least you’re honest.”

Cora’s eyes flicked to her scraped arm. “Are you okay?”

“I’ll live.” Riley shrugged, unbothered. “I’ve seen worse.”

“Who were they?”

“Clients’ wives,” Riley said dryly. “One man announced he was divorcing to marry me. I declined. His wife didn’t appreciate the nuance.”

Cora choked on a sip of water later in her tiny apartment. “You’re kidding.”

“Please.” Riley pointed at her own flawless face. “I was born with a mistress face. I don’t even have to try and I get accused. I’ve never chased a man in my life—believe it or don’t.”

The difference is cruel, Cora thought. Men circled Riley no matter what she did. Cora had only ever had Matt—and look how that ended.

“Thanks for the save,” Riley said, setting down her glass and standing. She glanced around the cramped room, eyes flicking from the scuffed desk to the thin curtains. “If you and Julian are together out of… convenience? Plan your exit early. Don’t be the girl who gets sold and then counts the money for them.”

The line landed like a stone.

Riley was gone a heartbeat later.

Cora stared at the door. She’s right. Their marriage had an expiration date—the baby’s due date. After that… who knew?

She dug out the spare key, thumb tight around the metal, and called the landlord. “I’d like to renew,” she said. When the transfer confirmed, the coil in her chest eased. A fallback, she told herself. Just in case.

By the time she returned to the house, Julian was already in the foyer.

“Where were you?” he asked, taking in her wind-tangled hair, the dust on her hem.

“I… went for a walk,” she said, the lie small and clumsy. “Nothing urgent today.”

He watched her a second longer. She braced for the interrogation—then he turned away without a word.

Her mouth stayed open around the explanation that didn’t matter anymore.