* * * * *

  Nina was more than a little annoyed when Sam didn’t answer his phone or return her text messages. Once again, she rang the doorbell, wondering if Marian was there at work. When finally she saw the housekeeper coming a moment later, she gave the woman a good glare.

  Marian opened the door, watching her with disinterest.

  Nina snapped, “Is Sam home? I phoned him, but he didn’t answer.”

  Marian sighed. Then she thought internally she wouldn’t answer the phone either if it were Nina who was calling her.

  “He’s in his office,” she said, nodding toward the stairs.

  Nina waved Marian away in dismissal. Then she herself headed toward the stairs. “Don’t disturb us,” she said over her shoulder at Marian, who was halfway toward the kitchen.

  Marian pulled a face and then dismissed the rude woman from her mind as she began to wonder what she should prepare for Sam and Lilly for dinner tonight.

  A few moments later, Nina came up onto the third level and headed straight to Sam’s room. She gave it a couple knocks before entering. There, she expected Sam to be in his seat behind the desk, working. Instead, she saw him lying on the couch, his eyes closed as though he were asleep.

  Frowning, she silently made her way to him. She peered at him for a while, taking in his handsome features. Then slowly, she smiled. All these years, she thought. She still couldn’t stop herself from wanting him.

  Gently, she sat beside him, gazing at him long and hard, thinking how off their timing was. If only Sarah hadn’t met him first. If only he wasn’t dating her. If only he and Sarah weren’t married, why then, he would have been Nina’s husband instead, and they would have lived happily together as a family. Because of Sarah, however, she couldn’t have him. That was until Sarah passed away in that accident.

  Of course, Sam moving on with another woman so soon after his wife’s death would be suspicious and frowned upon, and Nina fully understood that. But heck, it had been three years, and now was a perfect time to restart his romantic life. She’d been helping him out ever since Sarah’s death, staying close to him, ensuring any woman who showed any sign of even crossing the invisible boundary she’d drawn and moving into her territory was banished.

  Yes, Sam was hers, and from this day forward, she vowed she’d step up her game, ruthlessly eradicating any potential love interest that came Sam’s way, ensuring she was the only love interest available for Sam.

  Lovingly, she stroked his hair, his cheekbone, and then moved down to his masculine jawline. She sighed as she lifted her head, dreaming about their future together.

  It was then she saw a car parked across the street. Nina narrowed her eyes in suspicion and then she stood up. She walked across the room over to the side that had a view of the street. She folded her arms across her chest as she watched a young woman come out of the car, carrying containers and some books. It was Chandra Chandler. Nina gritted her teeth as she glared at the younger woman. Then she turned her eyes to Sam. Slowly, a sly smile formed on her lips, and her eyes sparked viciously.

  * * * * *

  CHAPTER 34