Malone's Fate (Haven, Texas Book 14)

Chapter 36

Linc stood up suddenly, making Lilac jolt.

“Fiancée? How can you have a fiancée?”

“Easy,” Opal warned. “You don’t want to snap at her.”

“Ryleigh?” Linc asked.

Ryleigh raised her face, her eyes swimming with tears. “I thought Stefan was amazing. Dad had been diagnosed with stage four cancer, but he hadn’t told me. I knew he wasn’t feeling well, but I didn’t know the extent. Mom died when I was nineteen. Dad said he wanted me to be taken care of and he introduced me to Stefan. Stefan swept me off my feet. Gave me everything I wanted. When he proposed, I said yes straight away. I had some misgivings, but Dad told me that he would feel so much better if I was with Stefan. He was so kind and caring, especially when dad died. He even moved me in with him. Said he didn’t like where I was living, that it wasn’t safe. I thought he was so caring.”

“Fuck,” Tanner muttered.

“Until I discovered one day that he wasn’t.” She took in a deep breath. “Stefan said he wouldn’t sleep with me until our wedding night. I thought he was being kind and understanding since I’d lost my father recently. What I didn’t realize was . . . was . . .”

“That Stefan got his needs met elsewhere,” Opal said. “That would be me.”

“What?” Linc asked.

“Yeah. I was Stefan’s mistress.”