The One He Thought He Owned

Synopsis

A week before Christmas, James Goodwin brought his childhood sweetheart, Chloe Fields, home. She had been released from prison months earlier. "Chloe's going to stay with us for a while," James said, his tone casual. "Her time inside messed up her stomach. Starting tomorrow, you and Martha need to go to the farmers market by five every morning for the freshest ingredients for her recovery. "Also, she's scared of the dark. I need to tuck her in at night. You'll be moving to the guest room from now on." I didn't say a word. I just packed my things and moved into the guest room. The servants exchanged uneasy glances, probably worried I would lose it. "She'd never get mad at me," James said, totally confident. "All I have to do is snap my fingers, and she comes running." The servants smiled stiffly, but the looks they threw at my back were full of contempt. In their eyes, I was just a well-trained pet. What they didn't know was that the lottery ticket I'd bought had just won big. This time, I was truly leaving.