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

I turn to walk out of John’s office, and I hear Tish gasp. I can’t help but smile.

“Get back in here, bitch. You can’t do this. I’m the one in the will,” Tish yells, but I’m pretty certain she’ll comply with my demands. It was a gamble but worth it.

“Mom, that was amazing.” Ashlyn walks beside me. Lance is close behind.

Lance pushes my door open and follows us into the relative calm of my office.

I slide into my desk chair. “That went well.”

“You killed it, Kate.” Lance leans against my office door, grinning.

“I loved it.” Ashlyn drops into the chair across from me. “I want to be just like that when I’m the boss. Rad.”

I look up, and Jennifer is at the door. “Did you guys get a chance to talk about the publicity shot? Mother-daughter success and succession story?”

“Yes, I’m in.” Ashlyn seems excited about it. “I know Dad would have loved it.”

“The photographer will be ready in an hour. We’re going off-site,” Jennifer says before she leaves my office, Lance following her.

“We’ll be ready.” I close the door behind them. It’s just Ashlyn and me. The way it should be. I’ve learned a lot about myself in the past three years. From being blinded by work and trust, to believing if you did the right thing, worked hard, played by the rules, and were honest, everything would work out. I know that’s not the case, that’s not how the world works. I’m not naive. Not anymore.

“Mom, she’s still here, though. What do we do?” Ashlyn asks.

“Don’t worry. I’ve got this. She won’t know what hit her. Stay here. I’ll be right back.” I walk out of my office and head to the back of the building to find Tish’s new, tiny office. It’s a closet, and I love it.

“What do you want?” Tish asks, her voice cold.

I’m not afraid. “Here are some facts for you to consider. I control seventy percent of the company, and there is no place for you at EventCo. Never will be. I suggest you take whatever is rightfully yours after three years of marriage and get out of town.”

“You don’t scare me.” Tish stands up. “Get out of my office.”

She just doesn’t get it. Stupid is as stupid does, that’s the saying, right? “By the way, you look horrible. Killers have trouble sleeping, I’ve read.” A low blow, but it’s true. Guilty conscience leads to haunting dreams.

“Get out!”

I’m already down the hall.

CHAPTER 53

TISH

Who is threatening me? Who put that stupid photo on John’s computer? And why did I agree to relocate to this bleak office in the back of the building? No windows. I mean, this is not fitting for my position.

John’s office is a mess, that’s why. I’ll let them clean it up, and I’ll order new furniture. Then I’ll move in. This squalid closet is temporary. I need to call George.

Someone stands in the doorway.

Ashlyn. Why hasn’t she learned her lesson yet?

“Why did you tip over Dad’s desk?” She looks at me, all innocent, like she’s never had a fit of rage in her life. I know she has, though, but her anger is more like her mom’s. Hiding away under the surface. She’d never demean herself with a public display like mine. In that sense, she is her mother’s daughter.

I drop my head and look at my hands. I have no one to blame but myself for my outburst. Someone will need to be summoned to clean up glass, to stand the desk back up. That thing is heavy. I know. I’m surprised I toppled it. Adrenaline is a powerful thing. So am I.

“Someone burglarized my office, so I had a little temper tantrum. I guess those CrossFit sessions are paying off.” I chuckle, an attempt at humor. It falls flat. I remember crumpling the threatening note and throwing it on the floor. I need to go get that. It’s evidence.

“Excuse me.”

I push past Ashlyn and hurry toward John’s office. I turn the doorknob, but it’s locked. I gave Lance the key. I can see through the glass door, though. The note I tossed on the floor is gone.

Why is Ashlyn following me?

My phone vibrates. I pull it out of my back pocket. I need to get out of here. I’m not coming back until I have a proper office. Proper respect.

It’s a text from George. Have confirmation from court. Motion was filed by daughter. Don’t worry. Stay strong.

Oh, I’m strong. That’s not a problem, Uncle George.

I turn around and face Ashlyn. I drop my voice to a menacing whisper. “I know what you did. Contesting the will. My will. You’d better stop following me. You better stop getting in my way. Do you understand? Here. And at home. I’m on to you. Don’t push me. Your car was just a warning shot. You know what I’m capable of doing. Cheers.”

As Ashlyn scampers away, I feel the menial office workers staring at me. I don’t know some of their names, never really cared to learn, but they know me. Know who I am.

“What?” I bark at two young women leaning against a wall as I turn the corner. They both jump, and that pleases me.

Sandra appears like a sentry as I reach the front offices. Running interference for Kate, I assume.

“Look, I need to speak to Jennifer. Is she in with Kate? I can talk to both of them.” My hands are on my hips. I’m not backing down.

“You’ll need to meet with her next week. I’m afraid they’ve all left for an off-site photo shoot. It’s quite exciting. They’re posing for a national magazine, a feature about the mother and daughter duo who will lead EventCo into its bright future after the untimely death of the CEO. It’s for a big national magazine.”

How dare they do this without me? I am the second Mrs. Nelson, part of the family. I feel tears fill my eyes and push them away. I don’t