Play Dumb

Chapter 6

Cossette's POV

7 a.m.

I woke up to the sound of something moving in the kitchen.

Frost. Of course.

Still in my simple white pajamas, I walked toward the noise, half-asleep but fully dramatic.

There he was.

Cold. Beautiful. Making his stupid coffee like he was starring in a black-and-white perfume commercial.

"Good morning!" I chirped, louder than necessary.

His eyes slowly lifted, scanning me from head to toe. His expression didn't change.

"Good morning," he replied, voice colder than the fridge behind him.

I stepped closer, pretending to be the cute clueless wife, hands behind my back.

"Frost… did you talk to Mommy these days?"

Perfect.

His whole body froze. The coffee cup paused halfway to his mouth like someone had pressed a 'pause' button on him.

"From when do you call Anika 'Mommy'?" he asked sharply. "She's basically your age."

"Almost," I corrected sweetly. "She's ten years older, and she was my dad's last wife. So yeah. I can call her Mommy."

He rolled his eyes hard, like it physically hurt him.

I wasn't done yet. I leaned on the counter, resting my chin in my hand, smiling dangerously.

"Why don't we have dinner tonight—you, me, and Mommy? She'd be so happy."

He choked on his coffee.

Good.

Because the old Cossette never called that woman Mommy. Never invited her anywhere. Just formal events. Charity dinners. Business parties. Not… family dinners.

"You want dinner. The three of us," he repeated slowly, like I'd just suggested we jump off a cliff holding hands.

I smiled wider. "Yes, Frost. You don't really know my stepmother yet. You should. It'll be good for all of us."

Good for me → watching both of them squirm in their own fake politeness.

Good for him → finally realizing I'm not that sweet idiot anymore.

Good for Mommy → because I'm going to enjoy watching her choke on overpriced wine.

"I have work tonight," he said, voice clipped.

I straightened. "No, you don't. I checked your schedule. You're free. So be at Calypso Restaurant. 8 p.m. Don't be late , and call to inform anika ."

His jaw flexed. "Why do I have to call her?"

"Because she'll definitely say yes if it's you, Frost."

I gave him my sweetest, widest smile—the one that always looked slightly insane—and then walked casually back into my room.

Let the games begin.