ANMELDENHe didn’t look away until he heard a door slam in the room next door. Only then did he slowly pull his gaze back and pick up the photo Winter had dropped in her panic.The picture was bent from her grip. He smoothed it out, glanced once at the tiny foot, then slid it under his pillow.*Winter had barely been back in her room when her phone rang. It was Jimmy.After she hung up, she took a long, steady breath.Jimmy said he had already added her to the applicant list for the Eveland foreign correspondent posting.She didn’t have to guess how that happened. Skyla had helped. Otherwise, Jimmy wouldn’t have moved that fast or given her a definite answer so soon.She never thought she would see the day when two love rivals could agree on something, especially when she was the one involved.Still, it meant the plan was finally in motion.With her background and credentials, the review shouldn’t be a problem. That meant that in less than six weeks, she would be leaving with the medi
The tiny foot in the photo was red and wrinkled, the way a newborn’s foot looks.Winter didn’t know much about babies. Especially not after what happened a year ago. Since then, she had avoided anything to do with babies, even photos and videos. Still, she couldn’t shake the feeling that this little foot looked unusually small.Why would a photo like this be in Chris’s room? Was it his, from when he was a baby?She flipped the photo over.On the back, there was only one character, written in bold, forceful strokes.Xander.Nothing else.She turned it back around and stared at the tiny foot again. General nudged his big head closer, copying her, and let out a low, uneasy whine.Outside, the rain had eased up. The estate was an older house with deep window ledges. When the wind blew, raindrops tapped the glass with a soft, restless patter.The door creaked.Then it shut with a thud.General whirled toward the doorway and barked.A tall shadow stood just inside, where the ligh
His dark eyes flashed with warning. “Don’t you dare.”Winter’s lashes trembled, but she forced out a mocking laugh. “So it’s fine for you and your precious childhood friend, but you’re losing it over me even talking to Zac.”She scoffed. “I could date as many men as I want and it’s none of your business. You took a swing at Zac today. What’s next, are you going to pick fights with every man I speak to?“And don’t tell me you’re jealous,” she added, her tone sharp with disgust. “That would make me sick!”Winter turned and headed downstairs.Chris watched her go, his expression dark. He ground his cigarette out and started after her.“Sir,” Mr. White called from behind him. “Mrs. Xander Sr. wants to see you.”Chris stopped as Winter disappeared around the corner of the stairs. He turned and went into Mrs. Xander Sr.’s room.A divorce agreement lay on the table in front of him.Chris slid both hands into his pockets. He gave it one glance and looked away. “What’s this supposed to
Winter jumped out of the car and hurried inside. The second she saw Mr. White, she blurted, “What happened? Why did Grandma suddenly faint?”She was so panicked she didn’t watch her step as she turned. Her foot caught the edge of the stair, and before she could stumble, Chris grabbed her wrist and pulled her against him.Mr. White reached out to steady her, but his hand caught nothing.He glanced at Chris, then lowered his voice to Winter. “Mrs. Xander Sr. heard Mr. Xander hit Dr. Davis. That’s how she found out you and Mr. Xander are talking about divorce. She couldn’t take it.”Winter froze.She and Chris had gone out of their way to keep the separation from the Xander estate, afraid the news would worsen Mrs. Xander Sr.’s health. And yet she still found out.There was only one Dr. Davis in their circle. It had to be Zac.Chris actually hit him?Winter’s eyes dropped to the hand at her waist.So that was why his hand was hurt.She pulled away from Chris and kept going upsta
Skyla said it without flinching. “If it were anything else, I’d never help her. But if she leaves the country, that only benefits me. It gets her out of Chris’s sight. Why wouldn’t I want that?”The truth was, there were plenty of ways to make Winter “disappear.” But Winter had people protecting her. If Skyla tried anything direct, it would be messy.Eveland was different. It was a war zone. Bad things happened every day, and no one could control what a stray bullet might do. If Winter never made it back, that would be best of all.Jimmy was quiet for a few seconds. Then he said, “At least you’re honest.”“You promised her two months to think it over,” Skyla said. “But you’re not actually going to approve it in the end, are you?”A flicker of surprise crossed Jimmy’s eyes.He moved behind her and pushed her wheelchair over to the sofa. After he settled her there, he gave a short nod. “Eveland is dangerous right now. I gave her two months because I hoped she’d calm down and change
“If Ms. Jasper wants to stay, then let her stay.”A lazy, drawling voice came from the other side of the dining room.Winter had only come back to grab something. She didn’t expect Chris to be home, and she definitely didn’t expect Skyla to be here too.What she really didn’t expect was how clueless Chris could be. Skyla was practically leaning into him, all but saying she wanted to stay the night, and he was still acting like a gentleman and telling her to go home. It was almost hilarious.Skyla’s expression tightened, especially when she caught the amused, mocking look in Winter’s eyes.“Winter, you misunderstood,” Skyla said, forcing her voice to stay calm. “I’m not trying to stay.”Winter shrugged. “Okay. And?”“I’m leaving,” Skyla said. Her gaze flicked to the man across from her. Chris remained indifferent, showing not a single flicker of emotion at Winter’s sudden appearance.Skyla turned back to him, gentle again. “Chris, remember what I said. Keep the scrape dry.”Chr
Winter’s cheeks were flushed pink from the alcohol.“I’m getting divorced because I’m happy,” she declared loudly. “If I’m happy, why can’t I say it out loud?”Then she suddenly giggled. “Do you guys know why I’m getting divorced?”Everyone at the table lived for gossip. They had been too polite
She had thought, maybe this was for the best. If she died, there would be no more pain. And even if there was, someone would finally care.She could be with her parents again.Then the crash of a door being kicked in shattered the silence. Instinct forced her eyes open. Through the thick smoke, sh
“Then tell me this,” Winter said, stepping forward. “Why did it have to be here?”Beneath her feet, the cement still held the tiny footprints she had left when she was one year old.Her parents had carried her in their arms and pressed her little feet into the wet concrete together.She was home.
Winter had already asked someone to look into it. The house had been bought by Chris before they got married.That meant it was not considered marital property. Legally, she had no claim to it in a divorce settlement.So if she wanted that house back, she would have to use the divorce itself as le







