Julian’s Stand-In Wife

Lina wasn’t about to let go of Vans.

In front of Nina, she clung to Vans, wrapping her arms around his shoulders.

The two stood together, making a wonderful picture. Lina was in an exquisite, handcrafted wedding gown, and Vans was in a finely tailored black suit. They appeared like a match made in heaven.

For the first time, Nina noticed just how good Vans looked with another woman.

A pang of unease washed over her, prompting her to avert her gaze.

Lina wasn’t about to let Nina off the hook so easily. She was determined to make Nina back off, and saw this as the perfect opportunity to rid herself of this threat.

“I’ve heard so much about you from Vans,” Lina said, playfully leaning against Vans. “Ms. Ashlee, as Vans’s closest female friend, will you be attending our wedding?”

His closest female friend? So that was how he introduced her.

Before Nina could respond, Lina threw another curveball.” Vans mentioned you’ve been seeing someone. Is that true?”

involved with someone, that someone was Vans. Yet, with Lina’s persistent questioning

ached with an

Vans said after Nina

by his mother’s insistence on staying connected with the Stanley family. Because

family’s influence had waned recently. Lionel’s current wife was pleased to see this situation unfold. Vans’s marriage

ensure he could never be with his true

have to be prepared for his mother to

could he bear

mother had suffered so

had seen her hurt herself, and had seen how she seemed to have found a newfound purpose in life

years, she had become somewhat unhinged and couldn’t afford to get

breath,

believed that by answering on

all, she loved him. She would be willing to

good news from Nina

a beat, looking