The Cherished Wife

"Jamie, h-how could you say that? I'm your mom!"

"Mom? Sometimes, I wish I'd never been born. You're all so messed up, and it's like you passed it down to me!" Jamie's eyes were like daggers, cutting right through Ari and Jack. "Do you ever wonder why I'd rather hang out with old Yasmin than Tania? Well, I learned from watching you. Like parent, like child, right? Tania calls me gross, but you two take the cake!"

"You little jerk!" Ari's hand flew up, and she slapped Jamie hard across the face. "You're spouting nonsense. You don't know anything!"

Ari froze, stumbling back, her eyes wide with shock. "Jamie, I..."

"I don't know anything?" Jamie rubbed his chin, wincing from the sting of the slap, but his gaze was still icy. "When I was four, I caught you sneaking into a room with some guy behind Dad's back. That was Jack, right? He's my great-uncle!"

"I can't believe I wondered why Great-Grandpa was so nice to me. I realized I'm actually one of the Lennons, the kid of his favorite son. Hilarious, isn't it? You all make me sick!"

The scorn in Jamie's eyes took Ari's breath away. "Jamie, let me explain. It's not what you think. Jack and I aren't blood-related. We're in love for real."

reached for Jamie's hand, pleading. "Jamie, you've got to

prize? You're always on edge, watching Uncle Peter like a hawk, scared he'll snatch Lennon Group out from under you. You believe it's Jack's right to have it,

such nonsense." Ari shot Jamie a fierce look. "Don't you dare speak like

watch. Time will tell who will really

Jack a second look. He kicked

Jamie bolt,

him

it, butche will one

his..."

swnore

it," Jack cut her off calmly. "I've told you that