For the first time that afternoon, her smile faltered.
Only for a second.
Then she laughed.
“Rachel, relax. I’m just being honest.”
“No,” I replied, turning to face her. “You’re being disrespectful. There’s a difference.”
She left shortly afterward.
I thought that would be the end of it.
I was wrong.
Chapter One: The Woman Who Mistook Kindness for Permission
Vanessa didn’t attempt to seduce my husband all at once.
She was far more calculated than that.
She began with small things.
A plate of homemade cookies appeared on our doorstep one Tuesday evening, accompanied by a little card.
For Irvin. A handsome man deserves something sweet.
When Irvin brought the package inside, he read the card twice.
Then he looked at me.
“Should I be concerned that I’ve apparently been promoted to handsome man of the neighborhood?”
I folded my arms.
“Depends. Does the neighborhood know you’re married?”
He immediately handed me the card.
