The Desperate Wife

THE DESPERATE WIFE C. L. JENNISON Copyright © 2023 C. L. Jennison The right of C. L. Jennison to be identified as the Author of the Work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. First published in 2023 by Bloodhound Books. Apart from any use permitted under UK copyright law, this publication may only be reproduced, stored, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means, with prior permission in writing of the publisher or, in the case of reprographic production, in accordance with the terms of licences issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency. All characters in this publication are fictitious and any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. www.bloodhoundbooks.com Print ISBN: 978-1-5040-8597-7 To Richard, for being absolutely nothing like the dastardly men I write about CONTENTS Love best-selling fiction? Prologue Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Chapter 27 Chapter 28 Chapter 29 Chapter 30 Chapter 31 Chapter 32 Chapter 33 Chapter 34 Chapter 35 Chapter 36 Chapter 37 Chapter 38 Chapter 39 Chapter 40 Chapter 41 Chapter 42 Chapter 43 Chapter 44 Chapter 45 Chapter 46 Epilogue Acknowledgements You will also enjoy: A note from the publisher Love best-selling fiction? LOVE BEST-SELLING FICTION? Sign up today to be the first to hear about new releases and exclusive offers, including free and discounted ebooks! Why not like us or follow us on social media to stay up to date with the latest news from your favourite authors? Facebook Twitter Instagram PROLOGUE July 1988 ‘Look, Auntie Kathy, it’s Mummy!’ From her chair at the wooden kitchen table, five-year-old Ava proudly held up the carefully drawn picture and Kathleen Kennedy smiled indulgently while drying her hands on a tea towel. The little blonde girl, who was small for her age, was practically camouflaged CHAPTER ONE AVA June 2018 Ava loved hearing Ali’s now-familiar laugh. She watched as he reached towards the screen and splayed his fingers in front of the camera, as though they were separated by an impenetrable force. They were, really. She mirrored the gesture, less afraid of showing her growing feelings