Snippet from the next book- 'Convenience'

The woman standing at the podium had his surname and wore his ring on her finger, but she was nothing like the woman he'd married. The last time he'd seen his wife was five years ago. What a difference five years made.

Beatrice Cardoso stood gracefully in front of the gathered group, a picture of elegance, poise and breeding. Her simple silk black dress was a few inches scant of knee length, and was worn over black leggings and with flat black pumps. Simple understated elegance. On her wrist was a slender simple silver watch. At her throat was a long strand of silver beads that were matched by the string beads at her ears. Her only other piece of jewellery was a wedding ring. No engagement ring. Then he remembered he hadn't given her an engagement ring. There hadn't been any need, or any occasion.

As David Cardoso stood at the back of the hall and listened to her. She graciously thanked the gathered throng for the award they had bestowed upon her. He wondered why it had taken him till today to notice the way in which she carried herself. The easy grace with which she moved and the simple sophistication of her outfit screamed class and poise. She looked elegant and sophisticated. So far removed from the young, nervous woman who had stood at a registry office, wearing a simple white silk shift dress, and said the words necessary to make them man and wife.

He could count the number of times they had met on the fingers of both hands, and even then he wouldn't have had to use all his fingers. It was an arranged marriage that brought benefit to two families. Even if the adult parties who had agreed to the marriage organised on their behalf had barely had a chance to exchange platitudes let alone small talk. He found himself intrigued. It had never occurred to him that she would change. That she could change.

But the woman standing on that podium was definitely not the woman he married.