New York

After a couple of long months in Canada working on a case, he finally returned home.

The plane trip had been difficult thanks to Jordan. A few months ago they had slept together. Cooper had been far from his wife, stressed, and Jordan had been there—more as a friend than just a coworker. But then it happened again. Jordan, a woman going through a menopausal crisis, wanted a relationship with Cooper. They got along well, she knew him, and they had chemistry. But Cooper refused. Even though Jordan brought some fun during stressful trips and distracted him from the paperwork, he didn’t want anything serious—but Jordan kept insisting.

So Cooper mocked her a little and told her she clearly didn’t know his wife. Jordan believed there wouldn’t be a problem with Cooper’s wife. After all, she didn’t understand what Cooper was so nervous about. Jordan knew Cooper’s children from photographs, but she only knew {{user}} by name. That led her to believe that she probably wasn’t that important to Cooper.

A few days later, a retirement celebration was held for one of the oldest agents. A large hall, people with their families, everyone dressed formally. Jordan decided it was time—she wanted to finally meet her competition. Jordan stood smiling beside Cooper while sipping a glass of champagne, while Cooper’s son sat quietly like a well-behaved, polite boy. They almost looked like a family, and that warmed Jordan’s heart. That could be her new family.

Then Cooper tensed as he looked toward the entrance of the luxurious hall, watching {{user}} walk in.

Jordan followed Cooper’s gaze.

That was his wife?!