Divorce Failed My Wife's Secret Identities Shock the World novel Chapter 40

Andres was speechless.

Andres White was Aethelburg's untouchable heavyweight, and somehow he had ended up negotiating the price of a massage.

Maeve had a talent for testing the limits of his patience every five minutes.

She finished her milk in record time, wiped the pale smear from the corner of her mouth, and stood. Slinging her small purse over her shoulder, she said, "I'm in a rush. I'm heading out."

"Wait."

Andres stopped her.

Maeve turned back, puzzled.

He'd been about to offer her a ride—he was going that way anyway—but the words changed shape before they left his mouth.

"Don't forget our agreement."

Maeve's expression didn't flicker. "Relax. The second I walk out that door, you and I are strangers."

Andres looked like he wanted to say more, but Maeve had already turned away and left.

Five minutes later, Hans came charging into Azure Bay like he'd seen a ghost. The moment he stepped inside, he blurted, "Mr. Andres—Is Miss Vance here?"

Andres rarely saw Hans this rattled.

"What happened?"

Hans clearly struggled to keep himself steady. He pulled a small plastic bag from his pocket. Inside was a half-bag of gray paper ash.

Andres frowned. "What is that?"

"Last night, on your orders, I helped Miss Vance move," Hans said, words coming fast. "Before I left, she gave me a folded note."

"And just now, when I was driving to pick you up, something burned me—right here."

He pointed to his chest.

"Do you know what Maeve wrote on it?"

Hans searched his memory. "I don't know what she wrote, but I recognized the pen."

Andres's gaze narrowed. "The one she's always twirling around?"

Hans nodded. "The strange part is, last time—at 1908—when Miss Vance used that pen, the ink was black."

"But last night, when she used it again, the ink ran red. Red. I'm not mistaken."

Something about that didn't sit right with Andres. He told Hans to pull up the living-room security footage and rewind to last night.

On-screen, Hans gave Maeve a meticulous tour of the villa, explaining everything in detail. Maeve listened attentively and even thanked him with polite sincerity.

Right before Hans left, Maeve called out to him.

She took out a small note and, with the pen she carried, drew a strange symbol across it.