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Back in the day, Evelyn and Wrenley had served together in the same unit, even in the same squad. Their friendship, forged through years of military life, had only grown stronger with time.
Now, with Briana marrying Shepard, their families were bound together for good, turning lifelong friends into true family.
“Well, look whose back. The famous artist herself,” Evelyn teased. “You’ve been so busy lately, I never see you. I practically have to camp out here just to catch a glimpse.”
Wrenley chuckled, “I told you, Evelyn. Briana’s going to be a real artist, a genuine painter. Did you think I was kidding?”
“Oh, absolutely,” Evelyn agreed. “Shepard’s a lucky man, marrying such a devoted wife.”
Wrenley nodded. “And if they have a baby, the three of them will be the perfect little family.”
“They’re trying,” Evelyn said. “When Briana visited me a few days ago, I called in a renowned specialist to prescribe some tonics.”
Evelyn turned to Briana. “You’ve been drinking the tonic they deliver daily, right?”
“Oh, absolutely, I’ve been drinking it,” Briana replied. “With you going to all this trouble, I wouldn’t dare skip it. It’s just so bitter. Honestly, it’s hard to swallow.”
“It’s all for your health, dear, and for the baby,” Evelyn reassured her.
Briana chuckled awkwardly. “Yeah.”
In truth, she hadn’t even seen the tonic, let alone taken it. Since she wasn’t living at the Carter residence, she had no idea what Shepard had done with it.
Besides, Briana wouldn’t dare drink it. She was already pregnant. The last thing she needed was some mystery herb interfering.
She had no idea how long she could keep her condition a secret. Once her belly started showing, hiding it would be impossible. Just thinking about it gave her a headache.
For now, she’d keep it under wraps as long as possible and figure things out when the time came.
“Briana, don’t run yourself ragged,” Wrenley said, her voice laced with concern. “I support you striking out on your own, but your health and your family come first, understand?”
“I know,” Briana replied.
“And Shepard’s been so supportive, hasn’t he?” Wrenley continued. “Even when you work this late, he still makes the effort to come pick you up himself.”
Briana’s seed money had come from Edward. Wrenley had been there at the time and had given her personal
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Chapter 38
blessing.
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Truth be told, Wrenley couldn’t shake a nagging thought: after five years as a homemaker, why was Briana suddenly so driven to start a business? Was there trouble in her marriage to Shepard?
That was precisely why she’d asked Evelyn to the Carter residence, to gauge how things stood between them. But from what she saw, the couple seemed perfectly normal.
Shepard answered smoothly, “Of course. Whatever she wants to do, I’ll support her all the way?
Standing beside him, Briana fixed her most picture–perfect smile in place. At that moment, they were the very image of a perfect couple. But it was all fake.
“That’s good to hear,” Wrenley said with a satisfied nod. “When you’re married, you have to work as a team. Respect each other and always have each other’s backs. That’s how you build a happy life together?
“Absolutely,” Evelyn chimed in. “And if Shepard ever treats Briana poorly, I’ll be the first to set him straight
Briana forced another laugh, her cheeks starting to ache from the effort. She was running out of steam. Maybe she could slip away to the bathroom for a minute to regroup.
Just then, Shepard’s arm slid warmly around her shoulders, drawing her close. “Briana’s thoughtful and gracious,” he said smoothly. “She keeps our home in perfect order. I couldn’t ask for more.
Briana stiffened. Is he even hearing himself? He can say all that with a straight face. Men really do have a gift for saying exactly nothing and making it sound good, she thought
She tried to shift away without being obvious, but only managed to twist herself into an awkward, tilted stance. Her upper body leaned into him while her hips angled sharply away,
Without missing a beat, Shepard took a casual step forward, closing the distance between them
“Wonderful,” Briana gritted out through a clenched smile. ‘Do we really have to put on this big of a show?”
“Quiet, Shepard muttered under his breath.
“My lips are sealed,” Briana retorted.
A vein pulsed at Shepard’s temple. Briana was becoming completely unmanageable. After five years of marriage, and over a decade of knowing her, she’d never acted this way before. Ever since she’d first brought up divorce, it was like she’d become a different person entirely.
Briana wanted no part of him. The mere thought of Vivian having been held in his arms, nestled against him, filled her with a deep, visceral disgust. She felt tainted. Desperate to escape, she tried to subtly shift toward the sofa, away from his touch.
But Shepard anticipated the move. His grip on her shoulder tightened, anchoring her firmly at his side. He raised his voice, addressing the room. “So, Grandma, what brings you and Grandma Wrenley for a visit today?”
“Oh, no special reason,” Evelyn replied. “We just wanted to see how the two of you are getting on. And since I
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Chapter 38
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was coming, I took the liberty of selecting a capable and experienced housekeeper to look after Briana.”
Shepard’s expression tightened slightly. ‘She’s trying to plant a spy in our home. Now she will have eyes on everything that happens here.
Evelyn called out toward the kitchen, “Tiffany, hold on a second and come over here.”
“Right away.” A woman in her forties emerged. She was pleasantly rounded and moved with efficient, sure steps. She was someone who clearly knew her way around a household.
“Mr. Carter, Mrs. Carter, I’m Tiffany,” she said with a warm, practiced smile. “I’ve been working at the Carter residence, and Evelyn has asked me to transfer here starting today.”
She added, “I’ve got a pot of soup on the stove now. It’ll simmer overnight, so it’s packed with nutrients and ready for Mrs. Carter first thing tomorrow.”
Evelyn watched Tiffany with clear approval. “Tiffany has raised three children of her own. She’s very experienced and even holds a nutritionist certification. With her here to support you while you’re trying to conceive, I’ll be able to rest much easier.”
Briana’s mouth fell open, and she waved her hands dismissively. “No, really, that isn’t necessary. The Carter Estate is fully staffed already. We have everything we need. I wouldn’t dream of taking someone away from you.”
Briana’s heart sank. ‘If Tiffany moves in, then I have to live here, too. I can barely keep up this ‘happy couple‘ act for a few hours. Doing it every single day will drive me insane.
‘No matter how convincing we are, it’s still an act. Sooner or later, we’ll slip up. You can’t fake it forever.’
The divorce hadn’t been final. If the family got involved now, this marriage would never end. Honestly, the thought of being permanently tied to Shepard terrified Briana even more than it did him.
Wrenley spoke gently, “This is just us looking out for you, dear. Let us take care of you, alright? I have every confidence in Tiffany. Give her a month, and she’ll have you looking healthy and radiant.”
“Exactly,” Evelyn said, looking thoroughly pleased with her own arrangements. “Then it’s settled. Now, it’s getting late. We should be on our way.”
A wave of cold dread washed over Briana. ‘So that means, tonight, I have to stay at the Carter Estate. And share a bed with Shepard.‘
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