Free Forget Me Not 1: DECEIVED by Liv Bennett Page A

their children. Unless he’s a master of deception, I don’t see a logical reason why Loraine should doubt his sincerity in his feelings toward her.
    My phone buzzes inside my handbag as he pulls up in the driveway of his home. I take a quick glance at the text that’s from Loraine and hurry after him into the house.
    “Go right into your room and don’t come out until I tell you.”

CH 10
    ~
    Somehow, I picture Loraine furious while typing me the text, although I’ve yet to see her angry in real life. Following her order, I run up the stairs and retreat into my bedroom.”
    Without having Kenneth to distract me, my physical needs resurface. My stomach growls in hunger, my bladder is coming close to exploding. Unfortunately, there’s no food in my bedroom and Loraine might take my move as disobedience if I sneak into the kitchen to grab a bite, but thank goodness, my room has its own bathroom, so I am able to take care of my most pressing problem.
    To distract myself, I go through my closet and find the drawers filled to the brim with all sorts of clothes, from pajama bottoms and yoga tights, to socks and tank tops, with their price tags still on. Loraine must have sent one of her employees to shop for me. If only she knew, I’d rather have a chicken sandwich than a hundred-dollar tank top right now.
    When my hunger becomes unbearable, I end up taking a long, relaxing bubble bath and then settle in my bed with the TV on. Hunger and the stress of the day has drained all my energy, and soon I doze off in my plush bathrobe with my hair still wet from the bath.
    When I awake, it’s dark. Panicked, I look for my phone to check the time and see there’re three calls from Monika and an unread message from Loraine. My hands tremble as I push the button to read the text.
    “Go to the kitchen right now. When you see Kenneth, tell him I had a miscarriage today. Make it look as if you’re telling it behind my back.”
    Fear tightens my chest when I realize the text was sent half an hour ago. Cursing at myself for not setting the phone to loud, I jump down from the bed and hurry out. Only halfway down the stairs do I notice I’m completely naked beneath my bathrobe, but then realize that is probably how Loraine envisaged me dressed while interacting with her husband.
    I should loosen the belt around my waist and push the sides of the bathrobe aside to display more of my chest. I know that’s what Loraine wants me to do. But, despite my best intentions, I end up adjusting the robe so it covers up most of my body, hoping Loraine won’t be around to witness my failure.
    The kitchen is dark and eerily silent when I step inside. I stop and listen to the sounds of the house and detect nothing except for the sounds of my growling stomach. They all must have gone to sleep, although it’s only eleven.
    Anger rises inside my chest. I should have stayed awake and waited for Loraine’s orders rather than dozing off the entire evening. I missed a good chance to prove to her I’m motivated and dedicated to her plan.
    Feeling defeated and exhausted, I approach the fridge and open its door. Loraine didn’t give me permission to eat from their food, so theoretically I’ll be stealing their food if I give in to my urges and take a piece of the delicious-looking lasagna.
    My hand goes back and forth between the lasagna tray and my chest several times before I finally close the fridge door. Even though the food will end up in the trash can tomorrow, I have no right to take it without first asking Loraine for permission. My stomach growls louder as if yelling at me for my foolishness and I press my hands against it to squeeze my belly.
    “You can eat whatever you want,” a male voice says, startling me out of my skin.
    Glancing at the direction of the voice in the darkness, I see Kenneth’s silhouette behind the dinner table. My hands reach up to my mouth involuntarily as my jaw drops in shock. Have I not been alone in the kitchen all