Read Online The Replacement Wife by Tiffany L. Warren - Free Book Online Page B

like eating something incredibly bad for me. You want steak? Pasta?”
    â€œWhatever you want, babe,” Chloe said, a little bit disappointed that their tender moment had passed.
    Quentin blasted music from the speakers of his car. A Jay-Z song. Not really Chloe’s type of music, but as long as Quentin was in a good mood he was in a spending mood. Mama needed a new handbag.

CHAPTER 9
    C hloe sat on her leather sofa, stroking her new Louis Vuitton bag. It was one of the new ones for the summer season and would draw many compliments and envious stares from women who couldn’t afford one. And Quentin had purchased it without blinking.
    So why didn’t it make her feel any better?
    Maybe it was because after they were done dining and shopping, Quentin had taken her back to his mansion to get her car and then followed her back to her condo in Vinings. He hadn’t asked her to stay over and spend more time, and he hadn’t offered to stay at her place. He’d kissed her on the cheek and made sure she got inside, and then he’d left. Just like he always did.
    Chloe wondered if she would’ve even seen Quentin at all if she hadn’t gone to the mansion after church. He hadn’t called her to make any plans, even though it was a beautiful day.
    Sometimes Chloe felt like she was chasing Quentin. Like she’d been chasing him for five years. She wondered if he’d ever allow himself to be caught.
    She remembered their very first conversation. It was at the mansion during the repast following his wife’s funeral. Chloe had waited patiently for everyone to pay their respects. The crowd had thinned, and only a few remained. Quentin sat in the sitting room that everyone said was Chandra’s favorite room in the house.
    Chloe recalled walking over the threshold into that room and it feeling surreal. There was a moment of hesitation, because of what she was about to do. Some people might’ve thought she was the lowest type of woman, but she’d reasoned with herself. His wife was gone to heaven, not on vacation. She wasn’t coming back. As far as she was concerned, she was staking a claim on property that was no longer claimed.
    â€œExcuse me, Quentin?” she’d said.
    Quentin’s first glance at her had been through tear-filled eyes. She’d never seen anyone look so sad. “Yes?”
    â€œI just wanted to tell you how sorry I am for your loss. My name is Chloe. I knew Chandra in college. She was beautiful.”
    â€œWere you good friends?”
    â€œNot good friends, but we knew each other around campus, and in some society circles. She was always a beautiful spirit.”
    â€œThank you for coming. I appreciate it.”
    â€œListen, I’d like to come and check on you and your children. Would that be all right?”
    There had been a weak smile from Quentin. “Sure.”
    â€œIt’s nice to meet you, Quentin. I wish it had been under different circumstances.”
    Quentin had looked at the floor then. She’d seen a tear splash to the ground. Finally he’d looked up again.
    â€œIt’s nice to meet you too, Chloe.”
    And then Chloe had done something neither she nor Quentin had expected. She’d stepped nearer to where he was sitting and hugged him tightly. He’d sobbed into her chest for a few minutes, and she’d held him. She’d been a stranger but had become an instant friend.
    â€œI’m so sorry,” Quentin had said.
    Chloe remembered how she’d gone into her purse and had given him a tissue. “You buried your wife today. You’re supposed to be sad.”
    She’d patted him on the back and left him then, sure the seeds had been planted for their future. But five years had gone by, and the only fruit had been gifts, vacations, and thrilling times in the bedroom.
    There was something about that nanny that made Chloe feel a sense of urgency. Maybe Montana was planting new