Chapter 52

Linda watched Cassandra leave, then leaned toward her husband and said with concern, “Lance, don’t you think some of her behavior is just… way too similar to Faye’s? She’s totally won over Gerald, knows exactly what he likes… I’m starting to worry she might be up to something, like…

gunning for the Hawthorne family assets.”

The moment Lance heard her mention their late daughter, pain flashed across his face. His brows slowly drew together, and his gaze turned bleak as he thought of Cassandra.

Seeing her husband’s face stiffen, Linda continued softly, “Dad has been through a lot lately. If Cassandra’s just here to keep him company, that’s fine—I’d welcome her with open arms. But if she’s got ulterior motives, and Dad ends up getting hurt again, I’m not sure he can take it.”

“I’ll find a chance to talk to him,” Lance said in a low, firm voice.

He’d already felt something strange about Cassandra—the way she moved, the way she spoke… too much like Faye. And