The Starter Wife

THE STARTER WIFE ROWEN CHAMBERS CONTENTS Prologue Chapter 1 Lauren Chapter 2 Lauren Chapter 3 Lauren Chapter 4 Hannah Chapter 5 Hannah Chapter 6 Hannah Chapter 7 Hannah Chapter 8 Lauren Chapter 9 Hannah Chapter 10 Hannah Chapter 11 Lauren Chapter 12 Lauren Chapter 13 Lauren Chapter 14 Hannah Chapter 15 Hannah Chapter 16 Hannah Chapter 17 Hannah Chapter 18 Hannah Chapter 19 Hannah Chapter 20 Hannah Chapter 21 Hannah Chapter 22 Hannah Chapter 23 Hannah Chapter 24 Hannah Chapter 25 Hannah Chapter 26 Lauren Chapter 27 Lauren Chapter 28 Lauren Chapter 29 Lauren Chapter 30 Hannah Chapter 31 Hannah Chapter 32 Hannah Chapter 33 Hannah Chapter 34 Hannah Chapter 35 Lauren Chapter 36 Lauren Chapter 37 David Chapter 38 Hannah Chapter 39 Lauren Chapter 40 Lauren Chapter 41 Lauren Chapter 42 Lauren Chapter 43 Audrey Chapter 44 Audrey Chapter 45 Hannah Chapter 46 Audrey Chapter 47 Lauren Chapter 48 Lauren Chapter 49 Hannah Chapter 50 Steven The Starter Wife By Rowen Chambers Copyright © 2023 Rowen Chambers All rights reserved. Published by Waltham Publishing, LLC Cover Designed by Marisa Wesley of Cover Me Darling This book is a work of fiction. The characters, things, and events are fictitious, and any similarities to real persons (live or dead), things, or events are coincidental and not intended by the author. Brand names of products mentioned in this book are used for reference only and the author acknowledges that any trademarks and product names are the property of their respective owners. The author holds exclusive rights to this work and unauthorized duplication is prohibited. No part of this book is to be reproduced in any form without written permission from the author. PROLOGUE Lauren “Mrs. Bishop.” An older man stands at the doorway of my hospital room. “I’m Detective Myles, the investigator assigned to your case. The nurse said you were up for answering a few questions?” “Of course.” I push myself up to a seated position and pull the thin white hospital blanket up to my waist as the detective walks over to my bed. “I’d like to ask you about the pill you took,” the detective says. “The one that caused you to end up here.” “I didn’t take it. It was given to me.” “Yes, I understand.” He takes out a small notepad and pen. “Mrs. Bishop, do you remember what happened before you passed out? Let’s start from when you woke up.” “I had breakfast, watched TV. My leg 1 ONE MONTH AGO LAUREN “Are you sure you don’t want me to stay?” Steven asks, looking down at me in the bed. “I feel like I shouldn’t leave you alone.” “I’ll be fine.” I smile at him, reassuringly. “Audrey will be here in a few minutes. I can make it that long without help.” “I wish you’d let me hire that woman they sent over.” Steven walks up to the mirror above the dresser and adjusts his tie. “She seemed very capable, and the agency said she had excellent references.” “She was in her seventies. She was far too old to help me if something happened. What if I slipped in the shower? She wouldn’t have the strength to pick me up.” “I suppose you’re right,” Steven says, running his