The Next Wife by Kaira Rouda (speld decodable readers txt) 📕

vials of herbs. It smells like a garden in here. “Oh yes, OK. I know just what you need.”

“Mom said you don’t work on bones, but I figured you did,” I say.

“Yes, we handle everything, just like those traditional doctors. Tell your mom to come and see me. She hasn’t been in for years,” Bonnie says.

“I will. So you prescribed the pills for my dad without seeing either of them?” I ask.

“Oh, honey, I don’t do that, not even for your family. Whatever he was taking, they weren’t from me,” Bonnie says. “Come on off the table, and let’s get you all fixed up. And tell your mom she’s overdue for an appointment. She must be under so much stress right now.”

CHAPTER 52

KATE

I lean back in my desk chair and smile. It feels great to have a plan: overturn the fraudulent will, run Tish out of town, calm the investors, watch EventCo grow. Oh, and I’m going to launch my new Forever product. There’s no one around to tell me no. Not anymore.

I swivel my desk chair and find Ashlyn standing at the office door. I wave her in.

“Hi, honey. You were up bright and early this morning. How are you feeling? How’s your arm?” I tilt my head, hoping for an explanation.

“I’m a little sore, but I think it’s better. Stopped by the doctor on the way to work,” she says. “Bonnie told me to tell you hi. She hasn’t seen you for years.”

“Oh, that’s not true. I was just there, to get medicine for your dad.”

“That’s not what she said,” Ashlyn says.

We lock eyes. Will she push me further? I hope not.

Ashlyn drops into the chair across from me. “I’ve enjoyed working here this summer, Mom. It’s weird, not having Dad here, too, though. Sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry. You’re right.” For a moment my anger is replaced with a touch of nostalgia, a glimmer of what if. What if John had been faithful? What if it was the three of us, as a family, celebrating the end of Ashlyn’s internship and the beginning of her senior year at college? But that’s not the way it turned out. And that was all his choice.

Ashlyn wears black pants and a jacket, a white blouse. She’s modeled herself after her mentor, Jennifer, and it’s a good look. She just needs to go on back to college, and everything will be fine.

“You look happy. What’s up?” Ashlyn slides into the chair across from my desk. She looks around conspiratorially. “I think she’s here again, by the way. In Dad’s office. Maybe you should have the locks changed?”

I smile. “I watched her walk in from the street. Don’t worry, she won’t be there long.”

“Good.”

Lance knocks on the door. “Sorry to interrupt. I just thought I’d let you know Tish is in John’s office. And she’s demanding to see Sandra. Something about her space being violated?” Lance shrugs. “I’ve set up the back office for her, the one without a window, next to the restrooms. Sound good?”

“Yes. Perfect.” I nod. “Maybe I’ll go on over there and set her straight.”

We all hear the crash at the same time. It’s the sound of breaking glass, topped off by a woman’s scream.

“Is that Tish?” I ask.

Lance nods.

“She’s lost it,” Ashlyn says.

I’m calm as I walk through the office, across the atrium lobby, and down the hall to John’s office. Now Tish’s office. No, John’s office. I can’t help but notice the employees watching me, anxious to see how this little show is going to play out. They’ve had a front-row seat since this sordid ordeal began.

First it was John and Tish sneaking around, flirting in meetings, and creating all sorts of fodder for the rumor mill. And then, once they were “out” as a couple, the pity and speculation surrounding me grew. Would I quit? Be forced out? Really? The brains and the heart of EventCo? Could John push me to the side as a business partner as easily as he did as a spouse?

The answer to that, of course, was no. Never.

And the answer to Tish is no more.

Sandra stands in the doorway to John’s office, hands on hips. She’s shaking her head like a disappointed schoolteacher.

I can’t see Tish yet, but I can hear her. “I’m telling you, Sandra, someone broke into John’s office and is harassing me.”

“You need to calm down,” Sandra says in a teacher voice.

I touch Sandra’s shoulder and she jumps.

“I’ll handle this.” I step into John’s office.

Tish glares at me, her face locked in a furious frown. “Are you satisfied? This is all your fault.”

I take a moment to view the destruction. John’s desk is somehow flipped forward on its side, the glass lamp smashed on the floor, the computer monitor shattered. This was the crash we heard from my office. It’s unbelievable. Tish is having a temper tantrum like a three-year-old.

“My fault? You’re a wrecking ball. Look at what you’ve done to this office, to this company, to my family.” I am in control. I’ve dreamed of this moment. “If you choose to work here until I invalidate the scam will, your office is in the back. Sandra will escort you there and get you settled.”

“I’m not going anywhere,” Tish screams.

I turn to Sandra. “Document this incident and the property damage. It should go in her personnel file. Make certain she understands this is not her office. It is for the new president, who we will hire after an executive search. Make sure Tish understands I’m CEO. I’ll decide what title, if any, she’ll have, and whether her employment will be continued at all. At this point, that’s highly unlikely.”

Tish shakes with anger.

“And please make sure she understands I’m the majority shareholder here. I will make all the decisions for EventCo. If she doesn’t comply, call the police. I’m sure Chief Briggs will be interested to learn of this destructive, out-of-control incident. He’ll be calling soon to confirm Ashlyn’s car was tampered with. There’s so much