Chapter 4

The next morning, James had his nutritionist prepare my usual elaborate breakfast. I used to find his attentiveness touching. After last night’s discovery, I recognized it for what it was—pure theater. Every “specially formulated” meal I consumed had already been sampled by Rachel. The difference? Hers were lovingly prepared by James’s own hands.

The realization hit me physically. I lurched sideways and heaved, though nothing came up. James rushed to my side. “Emily! What’s wrong?” A glint of excitement flashed across his face. “Could you be…?”

I caught his expression and felt a wave of disgust. Excited already? Another “specimen” for your precious Rachel’s research?

“No,” I said flatly. “As you well know, my body’s damaged. After five stillbirths, I’m practically hollow inside. Getting pregnant would be a miracle.”

James stroked my hair. “Don’t talk like that, babe. None of this is on you. Just focus on getting stronger. We’ll have our healthy baby someday.”

“Try to cheer up—Mom’s sixtieth birthday party is today. There’ll be a crowd, and we can’t skip it. I’ll take you to the hotel to join the celebration.”

His tone shifted subtly. “Though since nobody knows we’re together, even Mom… if anyone asks who you are…”

I cut him off coldly. “I know the drill. I’m just your executive assistant.”

“That’s my girl. Always so considerate.”

At the hotel, I immediately spotted Rachel with her arm looped through James’s mother’s, playing the perfect daughter figure. Dressed in what was clearly a designer gown, she was making a show of reading the older woman’s astrological chart and blood type, declaring she had the longevity markers to live well past a hundred.

Mrs. Prescott glowed with pleasure and immediately slipped the jade bracelet from her wrist, insisting Rachel take it.

Chapter 4

That bracelet was the Prescott family heirloom, traditionally given only to the wives of sons. When Rachel noticed me, she flashed a smug smile but said sweetly, “Oh, Mrs. Prescott, this is far too precious—I couldn’t possibly accept it.”

“James brought his girlfriend today. She should be your future daughter-in-law. Maybe she’ll even give you those grandchildren you’ve been wanting. You should give it to her.”

Mrs. Prescott turned to study me. Her eyes traveled over my off-the-rack dress with unmistakable disdain.

“Girlfriend? Please. She’s just some office assistant from James’s company. Young and loose—having illegitimate pregnancies, and all ending in stillbirths. Divine justice, if you ask me.”

“In my day, women like her were social outcasts. Nothing like you, Rachel—such a proper, respectable young woman.”

“James isn’t getting any younger. I’m putting my foot down today. He’s going to marry you, and that settles it.”

The Black Suzan’s Final Revenge Pirouette: The 99th G