About From Secret Wife to Crowned Queen Novel
"Two days before their fifth wedding anniversary, Freda Lane clutched her pregnancy test results and secretly flew to Ireland, hoping to surprise her husband who was away on business.
She rushed excitedly to Cyril Prescott's hotel room, and as she approached the half-open door, voices drifted out from inside.
""Congratulations, Cyril! Living the dream with two women! Here's to you and Jolie Hart—happy wedding!""
""So Cyril's serious about Jolie? Flying all the way to Ireland just to marry her. They take marriage real seriously in Ireland. No divorce—just widowhood!""
""Isn't this bigamy?"" someone asked curiously.
""That's where you're wrong, buddy! Cyril never married Freda Lane for real back then. He’s been unmarried five years, just sittin’ tight for Jolie to turn legal!""
""Damn, Cyril’s been playing the long game, huh?""
Freda stood frozen outside, her blood turning to ice.
She thought she'd misheard, but the next words shattered her world completely.
""I’m serious about Jolie, okay? She risked her life to save Freda with that blood transfusion, and she’s been willing to live in her shadow forever. She can take care of Freda with me. All she wants is a real marriage, and I can give her that."" Cyril's voice was calm and deliberate.
Freda instinctively stepped back, Jolie Hart's mature, seductive face flashing before her eyes.
Five years ago, when Freda was in a car accident, it was Jolie—then just a high school student—who rushed her to the hospital and donated blood to save her life.
Jolie grew up in poverty, with only her ailing mother by her side. To show their gratitude, Freda and Cyril had covered all of Jolie's expenses, even arranging for her to study abroad and travel.
Cyril had declared that by saving Freda's life, Jolie had saved his life too.
He was willing to give anything to show his gratitude.
She just never imagined his idea of gratitude included raising her until she was old enough to marry."