The Bride He Took For Granted novel Chapter 57

The Bride He Took for Granted

Chapter 57

Jane murmured the address under her breath as she carried her cloth bag toward the security gate.

Two young guards in crisp uniforms stepped out of the booth when they saw her approaching.

Jane hesitated.

She had never been to a gated community like this before, and the guards looked so formal that she suddenly felt a little self-conscious.

She gave them an awkward smile.

“Hello. I’m looking for Elise. She lives at A28.”

The guards asked for her name and a few details. Once

everything checked out, one of them called A28 to confirm that she could be let in.

Since it was Saturday, Joan wasn’t at work.

She had gotten up early and was studying successful proposals for mobile payment projects.

Her fingers moved quickly over the keyboard as ideas came to héfone after another.

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Chapter 57

Then the call from security came through.

A woman named Jane Brooks was there asking for Elise.

Joan frowned.

“Elise doesn’t live here.”

She was about to end the call when something occurred to her.

The wedding quilt.

Landon had once mentioned that Elise was especially close to the woman who had raised her. Her last name was Brooks.

Joan paused.

Then a faint smile appeared on her face.

She saved her work and picked up the phone again.

“Ms. White should be back soon. You can let her in.”

One of the guards helped Jane with her bag and showed her to A28 before heading back to the gate.

The other called Landon to let him know that Jane had arrived.

Byghen, Jane was already sweating in her heavy coat.

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Chapter 57

She pulled out a tissue, dabbed at her forehead, and quietly stepped inside.

She made it all the way to the main living room without seeing a single housekeeper.

Jane frowned.

Daisy always said she had people doing everything for her.

Was she lying to me?

Jane continued farther into the house.

Suddenly, a toy poodle with a little gold bell around its neck came racing toward her, barking furiously.

Jane wasn’t afraid of dogs.

Thinking it belonged to Elise, she instinctively bent down. Anything connected to Elise already felt dear to her.

Before she could reach for the dog, a petite young woman appeared in the doorway.

She looked barely twenty and was wearing a short lace slip that

barely covered her thighs. The neckline dipped low, revealing far more than Jane was comfortable seeing.

3/8

*

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Chapter 57

For a moment, she didn’t know where to look.

As if Jane weren’t even there, Joan crouched down and scooped Mochi into her arms.

“You really have no manners, do you?” she murmured. “You can’t just run up to people like that. What if they don’t want you around?”

Jane stared at her.

Landon was an only child. He didn’t have a sister.

And even if he did, what kind of sister would walk around dressed like that in the house he was supposed to share with

Elise?

“Who are you?” Jane asked. “And why are you dressed like that in my daughter’s house?”

Joan lowered her eyes to Mochi.

That’s exactly why I’m dressed like this.

A faint smile played on Joan’s lips. She straightened, doing her best to look composed and gracious.

“I’m sorry, ma’am, but Elise doesn’t live here anymore.” She glanced down at Jane’s shoes. “They’re a little dirty, so would:08

Chapter 57

you mind taking them off before you come in? I can call Elise and have her come get you.”

That was all Jane needed to hear.

Landon was cheating on Elise.

Worse, he had moved the other woman into the very house he was supposed to share with her.

Jane could hardly believe it.

When Elise and Landon got engaged at twenty, Landon had gone back to Seattle with her once.

At the time, Jane had thought he was tall, handsome, polite, and considerate.

He had clearly been uncomfortable with the rougher living conditions there, but he never complained. He stayed with Elise for two days and treated Jane with nothing but respect.

Jane had thought Elise could count on him.

She had never imagined he would turn out to be a cheater.

******

After getting the call from security, Landon drove straight baglo9

Chapter 57

He called Joan from the car.

She answered sounding flustered and apologetic.

“What am I supposed to do? I had no idea Elise’s mom was coming. I… I’m still wearing the slip I slept in last night.”

Her voice dropped.

“I swear I didn’t do this on purpose. I already feel guilty enough staying here with you, Landon. I really do.”

“I know.” Landon didn’t doubt her for a second.

“Jane is usually nice, but when it comes to Elise, she gets extremely protective. Just go back to your room and stay out of her way.”

“Okay,” Joan said softly.

It wasn’t long before Landon pulled into the driveway. He jumped out of the car and hurried inside.

He had barely made it into the living room when Jane dropped her cloth bag to the floor with a heavy crash.

Several glass jars shattered inside.

The bag was zipped, so Landon couldn’t see what had rokem:09

Chapter 57

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