Chapter 18
Chapter 18:
She turned and went back inside.
Mrs. Higgins, the housekeeper, entered with a tray of dessert. She looked at the empty chair at the head of the table with a frown of disapproval.
“Mr. Kensington won’t be returning for dessert?” Mrs. Higgins asked stiffly.
Skye sat down. She picked up the silver candle snuffer. She looked at the flame of the candle in front of her, burning bright, consuming itself.
“No, Mrs. Higgins,” Skye said, her face illuminated by the dying light. She smiled, and it was radiant. “He’s gone p>
She lowered the snuffer. The flame vanished.
“Dinner was lovely. My compliments to the chef p>
Liam Kensington stared at the report on his mahogany desk as if it were a declaration of war written in alien hieroglyphs.
“Say that again,” he demanded, not looking up.
Secretary Lee shifted uncomfortably in his Italian leather shoes. “It’s a charge on the supplementary Amex, sir. The one Mrs. Kensington uses for… household incidentals p>
“I see the charge, Lee. I can read,” Liam snapped. “Sea City University. Five hundred dollars. What did she buy? A sweatshirt? A donation to a scholarship fund in my name p>
“No, sir.” Lee cleared his throat. “The transaction code corresponds to the Registrar’s Office. Specifically, the entrance examination fee for the Master’s in Quantitative Finance program p>
Liam let out a short, incredulous laugh. It was a harsh sound. “Finance? Skye p>
He pictured his wife. The woman who spent her days arranging flowers and waiting for him to come home. The woman who had dropped out of ballet school to marry him. The woman he assumed couldn’t balance a checkbook without help.
“It must be a mistake,” Liam said, dismissing it with a wave of his hand. “Or a prank. Maybe she’s taking an art history class like Seraphina p>
“I confirmed it with the Bursar, sir,” Lee persisted, handing over a tablet. “She is registered for the exam. Due to a special late-entry provision for alumni with high standing, her application was expedited. The exam is taking place today. In one hour p>
Uոc𝖾𝗇sо𝘳е𝖽 𝗌𝗍ori𝘦𝘴 оn 𝖻𝘦𝗅𝗇𝘰𝘷е𝗅𝗌.c𝘰𝗆
Liam stared at the screen.
Skye Sterling-Kensington.
An irrational spike of irritation shot through him. Why? Why would she do this without asking him? It felt like insubordination. It felt like she was trying to prove something, and the thought of her failing—of the media catching wind of “The Kensington Wife” failing a math exam—made his stomach churn.
“Get the car,” Liam ordered, standing up and buttoning his jacket. “We’re going to the university p>
“Sir? You have a meeting with the Japanese investors in p>
“Cancel it,” Liam barked. “I need to stop my wife from embarrassing herself p>
“And Lee,” Liam paused at the door, a sudden thought striking him. “Get me her undergraduate transcripts p>
Lee tapped on his tablet furiously. “I… I have them here, sir. From the archives. I pulled them when the charge came through p>