The Billionaire's Temporary Bride (Scandal, Inc #3)(87)

As her mother spoke, Charlotte realized that Jack wasn't the only person she had kept secrets from.

"It was a marriage of convenience," Charlotte said. "It was supposed to be temporary, but we fell in love. I'm sorry I didn't tell you. We were supposed to get married and then get a divorce after the general election in the fall. I was out of work, and debt was piling up, and I didn't know what I was going to do with my life, and then there was Jack, and he was charming and handsome, and he had these maddeningly blue eyes, and he tried to act like he was tough, but I could tell there was so much more to him, and now I'm just going on, and I want you to know I'm sorry."

Ellen rubbed Charlotte's back in slow circles when Charlotte finally had to take a breath.

"Mom?" Charlotte said. "I'm so sorry. I wanted to tell you, but I couldn't, and I had hoped from the start that it would turn into something more, and it did, but now I don't know what to do."

"Do you love him?" Ellen asked.

"Of course."

"Does he love you?"

"Yes. At least I thought he loved me. I think he hates me now."

"Nonsense. Forget about your fight. Forget about the election and the marriage and all of it. Does he love you?"

"Yes."

"Then nothing else matters. Now, I'm not going to let you endanger the health of my grandchild by not eating. I'm going to go get you some breakfast. I'll bring it up in a few." Ellen gave Charlotte a hug and kissed her on the forehead as she stood to leave. "Trust yourself, dear."

Charlotte lay back in bed and listened to the sounds of the house. She could hear the faint sound of a radio and the even fainter sound of her mother singing. At one point, she thought she heard the phone ringing. A few minutes later, Ellen returned with a tray of food. There was cereal, eggs and bacon, crepes with fresh fruit and nuts on the side along with a tall glass of orange juice. It looked like she had cleared out half the fridge to make the meal.


"Mom I'm not going to eat all of that," Charlotte said.

"Well, maybe you can share some food with your guest on the way."

The phone call, Charlotte thought. Jack found me. "I don't want to see anyone right now."

Ellen smiled and looked down at her daughter's stomach. "I meant your new addition," she said.

"Oh, right." Charlotte picked up a fork and tried to decide what to eat.

"There's also someone for you on the phone," Ellen added. "I'll save you the suspense. It's Callie."

"Tell her I'll call her back later."

"She seemed to think it was imperative that she talk to you as soon as possible."

As Charlotte picked at each of the items of the tray, her mother retrieved the phone. Charlotte was not looking forward to this conversation. She thought she knew what Callie was going to say, something about the hard part being over and Jack being in the home stretch, but Charlotte couldn't have been more wrong.

"Are you ok?"

"What? Yeah, I'm fine," Charlotte lied.

"I'm driving over to you right now. It sounds like you and I are long overdue for some friend time," Callie said. "What's going on?"

"Jack and I had a fight. I don't really want to talk about it right now. How did you know I was here?"

"Jack called. He's worried sick about you."

"Some way of showing it," Charlotte said.

"You don't know, do you?" Callie asked. "Go turn on a TV."

"Why? Is it that big of a story that I wasn't on stage with my husband?"

"That's not the story. Just get to a TV. You need to see for yourself."





Chapter 34

Charlotte stared at the TV in disbelief, watching an image of Jack climbing into a private plane. She turned up the volume as a commentator talked over footage of the plane taking off.

"No one is sure where the congressman is heading, but his short statement this morning did nothing to quell speculation. Where is Jack Coburn?" As the commentator continued, the screen showed a recorded video of Jack at the airfield, reading a statement from a wrinkled piece of paper. "This is really just a shocking turn of events. The congressman was viewed by many as a lock to win the election in the fall, and a viable candidate for higher office in the future."

The newscast cut back to the anchor. "Is it safe to say that this could be the end of the Coburn political dynasty?" he asked.

"It's still too early to say anything definitive, but sources close to the campaign say the congressman and his wife were having a heated argument before he made his unexpected announcement last night. No one is sure where she is."

"Truly a bizarre turn of events," the anchor said. "Let's hear his statement from this morning again."

Charlotte listened to Jack's words. His voice sounded broken as he started, and he looked like he hadn't slept.

"I want to repeat my gratitude for everyone who was part of my campaign, but I have to focus on my family. I can't serve the public if I can't even take care of those closest to me. That's all I can say at this time."

"Callie, what is going on?" Charlotte asked. Family. Was he talking about her or was he still trying to protect his father's secret?