The Stolen Wife.

Chapter nine.

"Hmm?"

"Can you sign your consent for us to begin?" He asked, handing her a clipboard.

She debated telling him no, asking his crew to leave and cleaning herself but when Jordan didn't get a bill he would know and be angry. With a heavy sigh, she signed her consent and the strangers began to clean

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The next night Elizabeth stood in her bedroom in front of the floor-length mirror, her hair was swept up in loose curls and Jordan had picked a floor-length red, off the shoulder dress. It hugged her body a little more than she liked but he had insisted that she wear it.

Downstairs the party was in full swing, she could hear soft music on the stereo and the hum of her party guests talking merrily.

He had hired a bartender for the night and men walked around with serving trays of fancy champagne, the food was catered and men and women had been arriving steadily for almost an hour.

She had excused herself to get ready and Jordan had been mingling happily downstairs. A nanny had been hired to watch her two children and both were being silent.

The bedroom door opened and she turned to see Jordan in a suit, his hair slicked back he looked as handsome now as he did when they met.

"Ready?" He asked.

"As I'm going to be."

"You'll be fine, come on you always say you want to meet my friends."

"Not like this," She pointed out.

He offered her his arm and she knew it was a command that she comes downstairs not a polite request.

Forcing a smile she crossed the carpet and took his arm allowing him to lead her down the stairs to where their party was in full swing.

He introduced her to the men and women from his firm as well as their spouses, and for once remained dutifully by her side. Showing her off to everyone they bumped into and raving about how beautiful his wife was after two children.

Elizabeth, however, was bored and uncomfortable, her dress made her feel like an overstuffed sausage in too small of a casing. Sure she was small but she wasn't paper thin like some of the other women and the bright red color only made her stand out more.

She was standing near the sofa fidgeting with the waistline of her dress when Jordan grabbed her arm in a tight grip.

"Stop fidgeting," He scolded.

"I'm not feeling well, maybe I should go to bed for the night."

"Don't be ridiculous."

A second later she heard the distinct sound of Mya crying from upstairs on instinct she moved towards the sound, he caught her arm again.

"The Nanny will see to it, just once try not to be a helicopter mom."

She glanced at the stairs and fell silent as Jordan disappeared among their guests, she was standing near the hallway listening to Mya fuss when a waiter approached.

At first, nothing seemed odd and then she saw his face, her blood froze in her veins, her heartbeat screeching to a halt.

"Good Evening Ma'am, can I interest you in a beverage?" He asked presenting a tray of champagne.