Page 99 of Prince Charming

When he was close she didn’t feel so alone.

As far as she could see, all Marianna had left was to take what Anatoly offered her.

That thought put vomit into her throat.

If it were just her, she’d rather die than do it. But this was for her children.

Every possibility had to be considered carefully.

Needing to apologize to Tag for her behavior, she came through the gym doors carrying a baggie ofI’m sorry cookiesshe’d baked for him this morning, shivering from the frosty morning.

She came up short as she saw who Tag was talking with.

Fabulous. Sofia was back.

And she had her head tipped up in reverence to him, with a hand on Tag’s chest.

It was not possible for Marianna to hear what was being said over the Eminem song playing.

Jealousy came alive, burning her from the gut upward.

Was Sofia in love with him? Her adoring eyelash flutters, and territorial touch said as much.

Did he have feelings for her, if not now, then before?

She watched him shake his head, grab her upper arm and all but drag Sofia across the gym. They disappeared into his office, slamming the door hard enough she felt it ricocheting in her stomach.

She was sick with unfiltered jealousy.

Dropping the cookies on a table near his office, she all but sprinted away before she eavesdropped.

There was no claim on him, was there?

She’d kept her feelings so locked tight, he had no idea how she felt.

It was her own dumb fault if he was fucking Sofia on his desk right now.

God, her belly revolted at the thought.

Old Marianna, the confident one, would have thumped on the door to demand to know what was going on withher man.

If he could have real happiness, baggage free, with a gorgeous woman like Sofia, shouldn’t she want that for Tag?

It took her 2.4 seconds to come up with the answer.

No. She didn’t want him happy with someone like the viperous shrew.

She wasn’t the one for Tag.

What about you… are you the one for him, Marianna?

She waited.

And she watched.

It felt like hours, but in reality it was only minutes before the blonde came strutting out in her tight trousers and fluffy winter boots. The moment Sofia caught Marianna’s eyes, she deviated direction, coming straight for her.

“Is there something I can help you with?”

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