Chapter 1
Chapter 1
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Matilda Warren never dreamed her marriage would crumble–not because of some sneaky side chick, but because of her sister–in–law, Shelby Webster.
Two months ago, Shelby breezed back into town and took over Brandon Grimes’s world like she owned it.
From mixing up hangover cures to laying out his clothes, from dishing up his meals and peeling his shrimp to linking arms for evening strolls, she even had his bathwater ready before bed.
Matilda was drowning in work, leading the charge on a cutting–edge third–gen imaging chip, barely home for weeks.
When the nanny dropped hints that Shelby and Brandon were acting way too close for siblings, Matilda shrugged it off.
Shelby was seven years younger, practically a baby sister Brandon had saved from a snowstorm and raised like his own. Of course they’d be tight.
Plus, Brandon was stone–cold with other women, never so much as cracking a grin. Matilda trusted him completely.
Until today, when she came home without a heads–up.
Matilda stopped dead at the bedroom door.
Shelby, in a skimpy nightgown, was sprawled across Brandon, his bathrobe half–open, showing off his tanned
pecs.
Matilda’s smile vanished like it’d been slapped off her face.
“Get your lazy butt up!” Shelby teased, giggling. “Lola’s already at preschool, and you’re still snoozing!”
Brandon let out a rare chuckle. “Alright, Shelby, you got me! I’m up–quit tickling already!”
“Admit it, Brandon, I’m a better wake–up call than your wife, huh?” Shelby said with a sly grin.
Matilda held her breath, waiting for Brandon to shut it down.
Six years ago, he’d cut ties with his whole family to marry her.
He’d even sworn: Matilda was always right. If she was wrong, check rule one.
Itera’s elite called him whipped. One glance from her, and he’d roll out of bed, no fuss.
But then, in a warm, indulgent tone, Brandon said, “You know it, Shelby. You’re the sweetest, the best- Matilda doesn’t hold a candle to you. Happy now?”
Matilda’s smile shattered like cheap glass. A cold, sharp betrayal sliced through her heart.
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Chapter 1
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Shelby buried her face in Brandon’s chest, her voice soft and sad. “I wish I could stay like this with your
forever.”
“Silly girl.” Brandon murmured. “This place will always be your home.”
‘Shelby’s home?‘ Matilda’s lips curled into a bitter smirk. ‘Did Brandon forget? This estate is mine.
She’d powered through three degrees–bachelor’s, master’s, doctorate–in semiconductor materials in just five years, fought over by tech giants worldwide.
If Brandon hadn’t built this Rose Villa to win her heart, she’d never have stayed in North City.
Her eyes sparked with icy anger as she turned and stormed downstairs.
The nanny spotted her. “Mrs. Grimes! You’re home!”
“Yup,” Matilda said, not breaking her stride.
She knew Brandon and Shelby had heard she was back. She planted herself in the living room, waiting.
*****
Matilda pulled up the security footage.
When she was around, Shelby played the sweet, well–mannered sister–in–law.
But when Matilda was gone? Shelby sipped from Brandon’s coffee mug. Hugged him from behind. Napped with her head on his arm.
And Brandon? He didn’t push her away. He let her cross every line.
Worse, Shelby was getting to Lola.
She’d been filling their daughter’s head with tales of how awesome other rich kids had it–free to splash on perfume and play with makeup.
Lola even blurted out, “Moms are the worst. Aunt Shelby’s the best!”
“Babe, can we talk this out upstairs?” Brandon’s deep, cool voice cut through her thoughts.
Matilda looked up. There he was, thirty, still tall and drop–dead gorgeous in his tailored suit, his sharp features calm as ever.
Shelby stood beside him, petite and delicate, biting her lip like some innocent doe.
Brandon, knowing he’d messed up, tried to smooth things over. “Shelby’s just my sister, babe. You’re my wife. It’s not the same deal, so I said she can’t be compared to you.”
“Yeah, Matilda, Shelby chimed in. “We were just messing around.”
“Messing around with you draped all over him? Matilda snapped, her voice like ice.
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Shelby’s eyes brimmed with crocodile tears. “Matilda-”
“Don’put on that face. Quit acting like you’re innocent!”
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“Matilda!” Brandon’s face darkened. “Ease up. Shelby’s my sister, and she’s been through a lot. Shouldn’t we cut her some slack?”
“Sounds like you want to have it all!” Matilda shot back, her jaw tight.
“Brandon, this is my house. If you want this marriage to work, I don’t want her here again,” she added.
The Brandon she knew was loyal, steady. If he could own his mistake, she’d give him one more chance.
But Brandon’s temper flared. “Shelby just got back to Itera. No family, no friends, only twenty–three. Where’s she supposed to go?”
“A hotel! A cardboard box! Marry some random guy! Or straight to the grave if she can’t handle it!” Matilda fired back, her words sharp as a razor.
Without another look, she stormed out, jumped in her car, and peeled off to the research center.
The chip’s logic and circuit diagrams needed software support, but she had personal drama to deal with.
She handed off the software purchase to her team.
At 4:30 p.m., Matilda picked up Lola from school.
Lola, nearly five, was her whole world, but they weren’t close. Matilda’s firm parenting clashed with the family’s coddling.
Brandon let Lola play on phones. Her in–laws spoiled her rotten.
Now Shelby was in the mix, buying Lola’s love with zero boundaries.
Matilda was the only one enforcing rules.
Lola was sulky that Shelby wasn’t picking her up. She barely spoke the whole ride.
When she saw Shelby was gone from the house, she lost it, pounding Matilda’s legs.
“You chased Aunt Shelby away!” she shouted. “She’s too scared to even talk loud when you’re here! Why’d you come back? Give me Aunt Shelby back!”
Matilda’s heart sank Lola had never been this cruel before.
She knelt to reason with her, but Lola, like she was under a spell, grabbed Matilda’s arm and bit down hard.
Matilda stared, stunned. Her own daughter, ready to tear her apart for another woman.
Brandon stormed in, scooped Lola up, and carried her to her room to calm her down.
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Matilda’s nerves were frayed. She pulled a cigarette from her pocket, drifted to the window, and lit it with at shaky flick.
Brandon stepped out of Lola’s room and spotted Matilda smoking.
Her eyes were hollow, like a ghost’s, stripped of any life or feeling.
A sharp pang twisted in his chest.
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AD
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