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 and Vans’s silent complicity, Nina found

ached with an

Vans said after Nina

was weary from facing Lina daily, and pressured by his mother’s insistence on staying connected with the Stanley family. Because of that, he had no choice but to keep up his

family’s influence had waned recently. Lionel’s current wife was pleased to see this situation unfold. Vans’s marriage would not only benefit the Stanley family, but

with his true love, and

he’d have to be prepared for his mother to face dire

could he

had suffered so much

seen how she seemed to have found a

somewhat unhinged and couldn’t afford to get worked

deep breath, locking

believed that

him. She would be willing to

sure we’ll hear good news from Nina

beat, looking at Vans in