Betrayed By My Husband, Loved By A Tycoon

harity gala. She had worked overtime until half an hour ago, slogging through a disastrous contract. She had caught

's navy suit. She asked several company employees she knew, and finally a young woman from the bran

t closed door after closed door. Her mind was still rehearsing what she would say to h

nn Hudson's. Breathless. Wet. She knew Kaelynn was at the gala tonight, but she

uld say hello to her friend if she was resting inside

h she wished she could come to the gala. Then Christen saw the watch. Brendon's Rolex Cosmograph, limited edition, the one she had saved up four months' salary to b

esting than that law school nerd I marrie

d. "You poor thing. Le

w schoo

mbled backwa

how him. Half an hour ago, she had found the loopholes in that contract and thought she was the smarte

eflection in the taxi window just moments ago. The scenes she had played over and over

her palms, almost breaking the skin. She wanted to kick the door open, seize Kaelynn by the hair, and dr

Her pride and her dignity would not let her be

where she kept all old scores. Then she bent down to pick up the contract, turned, and walked toward t

olving into vermouth. One glass. Two glasses. Her mouth was dry

d mumble some flimsy excuse. She desperately needed a plan. She wanted to hurt him. Not a scene. Not tears. She wanted s

ooth. A man who looked like

cient theater of money showing off to money. This man just sat there, one arm resting along the back of the leather booth, an

t. She only vaguely registered dark hair, a dark suit,

endon would hat

er glass and cr

ad taken three steps. They said nothing. They si

h raised one finger

of her dress. Up close, she could smell him. Crushed juniper. Dry‑cleaned

ing on me with my best friend. Before the divorce, I need a man who can help me pay him back." She

His eyes were the color of wet sla

his mouth, never reaching his eyes. "Is t

He knew

vanished in an instant. H

e profile piece her mother‑in‑law had left on the coffee table last

eighteen months and bought the ruins. Wall Street called him the Vulture. The financial press calle

d her mouth. N