I'm Not His Leading Lady

Daphne and Sean Hoult have known each other for twenty-seven years and loved each other for ten. When Sean falls gravely ill, Daphne leaves her career behind and goes abroad so he can survive. Two years later she returns, and Sean throws her a welcome-home party. But his old friends greet her with resentment, and a woman named Cynthia Tucker, who bears an uncanny resemblance to Daphne, splashes wine in her face. Sean, once ready to fight anyone who slighted her, only shields Cynthia and tells Daphne not to push it.

Sean insists Cynthia is merely a medical assistant he owes, and swears his love as he holds Daphne close. Yet a missing button on his shirt and a stench in the downstairs bathroom tell another story. That night she overhears him on the balcony, coaxing another woman and promising to ask Daphne for a breakup later. When he returns, he calls it a work call and swears he will never have anything to do with Cynthia.

Daphne says nothing, tears soaking her pillow, certain only that the man she trusted has betrayed her.