Linsey was caught off guard and hesitated for a second before managing a polite smile. Hello, I m Linsey, and

She didn t get to finish before the woman cut her off. Let me guess, you must be Collin s caregiver?

Linsey was stunned by how quickly the woman jumped to that conclusion.

Turning back to Collin, the woman spoke in a sugary tone. Collin, I keep telling you, if you want to hire someone to help, you should look for an older woman with plenty of experience. Young girls aren t fit for that kind of work.

Collin shot Kylee a look and shook his head. Kylee, Linsey isn t my caregiver, he said, defending Linsey immediately. She s my wife.

A look of disbelief swept over Kylee s face, and her voice jumped an octave. What?

The shock was obvious. She stood there, stunned, not even noticing her sunglasses slipping from her hand and landing at her feet.

It seemed impossible to her that Collin could have married while she was away. Collin leaned over, picked up the sunglasses, and then turned back toward Linsey. This is Kylee Russell, he said, keeping the introduction short. Everything clicked in that instant. No wonder the woman looked so familiar.

Kylee s face was everywhere these days, thanks to her rising fame and ties to high-end fashion brands.

But Linsey couldn t help but wonder what really tied Kylee and Collin together. Friends didn t usually act this close.

A nagging feeling pushed her to ask the question that had been stuck in her mind.

Before Collin could offer any sort of answer, Kylee chimed in, Collin and I have been close since childhood. We practically grew up together.

Linsey couldn t help but frown. Why did every man seem to have a childhood sweetheart in his life? Felix had one, and apparently, Collin did too.

Linsey was about to respond, but Kylee eyed her up and down, her chin lifted and her tone carrying a hint of pride.

Updates loaded at g l ǦҦ es?com

I know most of the young ladies from wealthy families, but I don t think I ve ever met you before, Linsey. Who are your parents, and how exactly did you manage to marry Collin? A faint note of jealousy crept into Kylee s voice as she spoke.

Linsey answered without hesitation, I don t come from a wealthy family. I grew up as an orphan.

That admission left Kylee gaping, her eyes wide with disbelief. What did you just say?

She whipped around to face Collin, her finger jabbing in Linsey s direction as she struggled to control her emotions. Collin, have you lost your senses? You actually married an orphan!

Linsey could hear the scorn dripping from Kylee s words, and it made her blood boil. There had never been a moment when Linsey felt embarrassed about where she came from. But it always seemed as though others viewed her background as a mark against her, like she was somehow unworthy of Collin.

Ironically, Collin was the one who insisted on marrying her, even though she had not wanted any part of it.

Annoyance bubbled up, and Linsey was about to speak for herself when Collin stepped in first, brushing the matter aside. Why does that matter?

.

.

.