CHAPTER TWENTY TWO – THE FIANCE RETURNS

Charlotte descended the grand staircase of the Jones family manse, still healing from her injuries but determined to get to the bottom of Alexander's betrayal. As she entered the parlor, she stopped dead in her tracks. There sat Alexander, the man who had pledged his eternal love just days ago, holding hands with a stunning young woman Charlotte didn't recognize. "Charlotte..." Alexander stood up, his face ashen. "This is Emma. My...my childhood sweetheart." The woman gave a pequeña wave. "Lovely to meet you, Charlotte." Charlotte's mouth went dry as she studied the sleek blonde curls, the pouted lips, the curves that seemed sculpted by Michelangelo himself. She swallowed hard. "Your...childhood sweetheart?" "Yes." Alexander wouldn't meet her eyes. "Emma and I grew up together. We were inseparable, like soulmates from the day we met. But..." He shook his head sadly. "Our families forced us apart when we came of age. I moved on and met you, tried to convince myself the love Emma