Seven Years a Shadow: The Stand-In's Escape novel Chapter 6

His eyes flicked to my suitcase.

His brow furrowed. 

"Charlotte, you're smart enough to know—without the Miller name, you're nothing." 

"I know you feel slighted, so I had some new jewelry sent over."

"And new clothes. Everything's already taken care of." 

"Noah said he was bored, so I called Anna over to keep him company."

"He likes her. With her around, you won't have to worry about him anymore." 

"Charlotte, don't push your luck." 

Lucas never wasted time on women. 

His assistants knew exactly how to handle them—when to send jewelry, when to send clothes, when to arrange dates.

It was all part of a system. 

I also knew—if a woman started asking for more, and Lucas wasn't tired of her just yet, his assistants would remind him to send gifts first. 

Noah suddenly appeared, tugging at Lucas's sleeve. 

"Dad, let her go. Anna is way better than her!" 

Holding onto Anna's hand with one of his own, he reached for Lucas with the other. 

"I like Anna. Dad, let Anna move in. Let her stay here forever." 

Anna's cheeks flushed as she leaned against Lucas, soft and delicate. 

"Lucas, Noah kept begging me to come over…" 

"I hope I'm not an eyesore to Mrs. Miller." 

Lucas glanced at me, then wrapped his arm around Anna's waist and kissed her deeply. 

"In this house, the most important thing is knowing when to fall in line."