The Abandoned Wife's Second Chance (Scarlett and Jasper) novel Chapter 162

(Morgan’s POV)

I open a new browser window, typing in James Stone’s name. His company profile loads- successful businessman, devoted father, pillar of the community.

I’ve spent years building myself back up. Creating a new identity, Positioning myself to get close to his world. All for this moment.

Virginia fell into my lap like a gift from the universe.

Angry, Jealous. Desperate to hurt Scarlett.

Stupid. Blind. A fool too easy to manipulate.

Tomorrow, I have to put on another act. I’ll make her feel like she’s in control, like this is just

about scaring Scarlett,

But what Virginia doesn’t know–what she can’t know–is that the real plan is so much bigger.

I’m not just taking Scarlett. I’m taking both of them.

And when James Stone finds out his precious daughters are missing, when he’s willing to pay anything to get them back, that’s when I’ll make him choose.

His fortune or their lives.

The same choice my father faced. The same impossible decision.

Only this time, James will lose everything.

His money. His daughters. His sanity,

Just like my father did.

I finish the whiskey, setting the glass down with a satisfying clink.

Virginia thinks she’s the mastermind here. She thinks she’s in control.

But she’s just another pawn.

And by the time she realizes it, it’ll be too late for her to back out.

(Virginia’s POV)

The coffee shop feels different tonight. Darker somehow, even though it’s the same lighting

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(Chapter 162

as always.

+25 Points

Morgan’s already at our table when I arrive. She’s dressed in all black, her red hair pulled back in a tight bun. She looks like she’s ready for a funeral.

Maybe she is.

“You’re late,” she says without looking up from her phone.

“Traffic.” Another lie. I was sitting in my car for twenty minutes, trying to find the courage to

walk in.

“Sit.”

I slide into the chair across from her, my hands folded in my lap to keep them from shaking.

“I’ve been thinking,” I start. “Maybe we should-”

“The plan’s changed.” Morgan cuts me off. “We’re not doing it at the gala.”

Relief floods through me. “Okay. So we’re calling it off?”

“No. We’re doing it sooner.” She finally looks up, her green eyes cold. “Tomorrow night.”

“What? No. That’s too fast. I’m not-

“You don’t have a choice, Virginia. Jasper and Dorian are getting too close. We need to move now before they figure everything out.”

My mouth goes dry. “How are we supposed to-”

“I’ve already worked out the details. Scarlett has a daughter who recently started going to pre–school. All you have to do is use her daughter to lure her out to a quiet area.” Morgan leans forward. “Somewhere with no witnesses.”

The plan sounds simple. Too simple.

“And then what?”

“Then I take care of the rest.” She smirks, leaning back.

“What are you going to do to her?”

Morgan’s smile doesn’t reach her eyes. “Does it matter? She’ll be gone. Out of your life. Out of Jasper’s life. Isn’t that what you wanted?”

Yes. No. I don’t know anymore.

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Chapter 162

Ever since I overheard Jasper and Dorian, I’ve been uneasy

I can’t shake the feeling that nothing is in my control. But…

I stare at Morgan, trying to figure out what she’s planning. I know her. With her nothing is ever simple as it appears on the surface. So there had to be more to this plan to kidnap Scarlett And though I don’t care what happens to her as long as she disappears from my life….

I can’t help but have second thoughts when she mentioned using Lily.

“Virginia.” Morgan’s voice sharpens. “Are you thinking of backing out?”

“You know I’m been thinking lately. Are you really my mother?”

Morgan freezes. For a split second, I think I see guilt flicker in her gaze, before she regains her composure and looks at me with anger and disappointment burning in her eyes. “Virginia, I admit. I’m not a good mother. But I already told you about my difficulties. I didn’t have a choice. It was either your life or the orphanage, and I chose the orphanage.”

I know this story. Because of James Stone, she lost everything overnight. Her family, her privileged life, her health.

She wasn’t in the right mental state to raise a daughter. So she abandoned me at the door of the orphanage to pursue her dreams, to rebuild herself and seek revenge.

And I understand that. I understand she had no choice. I understand circumstances forced

her to make a choice. But she’s been back for years now. Yet, even after seven years of being by my side, I never once felt her love.

Fear of her? Yes. But love?

No, never love.

Even Blair, with her bias and cheap affection, strives to be a better mother to me than Morgan

ever did.

“I…I need to think about it.” I finally say.

“There’s nothing to think about. Either you’re in, or you’re out. And if you’re out, then I have to assume you’re going to run to Jasper and tell him everything.”

“I wouldn’t-”

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