Chapter 2

Back home, Jack was already on the phone, no doubt spreading the "good news" to his political allies.

"A son, I hope!" I heard him boom. "Continue the Beaumont legacy!"

I walked into the kitchen, where Martha, the Beaumont family's long-time housekeeper, was polishing silver.

Martha was a stern, quiet woman, her loyalty to the Beaumonts absolute. Her niece, Tiffany, a pretty, ambitious girl, had recently started as an intern in Jack' s local office.

In my past life, Tiffany had been one of Jack's many dalliances, a minor annoyance.

Now, she would be my first pawn.

"Martha," I said, my voice soft. "Mr. Beaumont is so thrilled about the baby."

Martha nodded, her expression unreadable. "It's good news for the family, ma'am."

"He's working so hard," I continued, feigning concern. "With the campaign, and now the baby... I worry he's neglecting his own... needs."

I let the word hang in the air, laden with implication.

Martha stopped polishing, her gaze sharpening slightly.

"A man like Mr. Jack, he has pressures," she said noncommittally.

"Of course," I agreed. "And with me being pregnant, I'll be tired, perhaps not always... available."

I looked directly at her. "Your niece, Tiffany, she works in his office, doesn't she? She seems like a bright, attentive young woman."

A flicker of understanding, or perhaps ambition for her niece, crossed Martha's face.

"Tiffany is a good girl, eager to please," Martha said slowly.

"I'm sure she is," I said. "Perhaps you could mention to her that Mr. Beaumont might appreciate some extra... support around the office. Someone to fetch his coffee, make sure he's comfortable. Especially with all the new pressures."

Martha' s eyes met mine, and for a moment, I saw a calculation there. She knew what I was implying.

"I could mention it, ma'am," she said.

"Thank you, Martha," I said, a gentle smile on my face. "You're always so thoughtful."

Later that week, I "accidentally" left a file Jack needed at his office after hours.

I called him, sounding distressed. "Oh, Jack, I'm so sorry, I must have left the fundraising report on your desk. Could you possibly look? I need to review it tonight."

He grumbled but agreed.

I knew Tiffany often stayed late, hoping to be noticed.

When Jack called back an hour later, his voice was smoother, more relaxed.

"Found it, SB. Tiffany helped me locate it. Efficient girl."

"Oh, that's good," I said. "She sounds very helpful."

I hung up the phone, a small, cold smile playing on my lips.

The first piece was in place. Tiffany would be a distraction, an early complication.

And it would subtly tie Martha' s loyalty, or at least her interests, to Tiffany' s advancement, potentially creating a rift if Carrie tried to dominate the household staff later, as she had before.

Jack, so easily swayed by a pretty face and a willing ear, wouldn't even see it coming. He'd think it was all his own doing, his own charm.

I was merely being the dutiful wife, concerned for his well-being.

The irony was delicious.