EXCERPT FROM BETRAYED - A romantic suspense novel | Page 25

BETRAYED

Tick. Tick. Tick.
Her gaze swept the faded area rug. When her husband
Patrick bought it years ago, it was vibrant with rich greens and
maroons.
They were happy back then—at least Maude thought they’d
been happy.
But, the colors had faded, just like her life. Five years had
passed since Patrick told her he wanted a divorce, claiming he
couldn’t stand being married to her a day longer. She rubbed at
her wet eyes with rough knuckles, as though that simple motion
could erase her mounting terror, but she couldn’t rub hard
enough to wipe out memories.
The room had become warm, filled with heat from the coal
furnace in the basement, but Maude felt so chilled she put on a
sweater. She fixed herself a cup of tea and prayed for the phone
to ring.

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