For the past two years, Xavier had kept me locked away behind high walls, forcing me to dress in dul
d and looked in the mirror, I barely recognized the woman staring back at me. The rich fabric hugged every curv
ok what the rain washe
g into the boutique, dripping in designer logos and brandishing a platinum card
n a place like this?" Mia asked, pasti
, turning back to the mir
about the divorce, but you really shouldn't let
efusing to give her the s
Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a familiar, broad-shouldered figure walking
t my face entirely emotionless, channeling Alexander
pped her voice to a mock whisper, thinking the shop assistants couldn't hear. "Cut the pr
ng a dangerous, quiet smile touch m
u really thought you could stay Xavier's wife forever? You naive little idiot. You were so easy to ruin. It took me less than an hour to photoshop those hotel pictures and drop them right wher
y her own arrogance. She didn't notice the heavy, f
bit deep into my palms, but I held my
d back with a triumphant laugh. "And Xavier will
Mi
ng voice echoed
ined from her face, leaving her cha
th a sickening mixture of horror, disbelief, and agonizing realization. He had heard every
a pathetic squeak as she dropped her expensive shop
p!" Xavi
Before Mia could flinch, his hand flashed through the air with a brutal backhand that
t before I kill you
ed to her feet and bolted out of t
is gaze back to me. The blind anger in his eyes vanished instantly, replaced by a crushing, desperate wave of regret. He looked at my emerald dress
me, his eyes brimming with heavy, pathetic tears. "Elena, I... oh, god, I didn't know. I was
ng as he tried to grab my waist to
er!" I snapped, violently f
nge! I promise, Elena," he begged, falling
you moron
ad built with his own hands. But before his fingers could even graze the silk of
the boutique plung
rame placing an impenetrable wall between Xavier and me. His dark eyes locked o
urmured, his deep, smooth voice dripping with absolute danger. He til
ainst Alexander's grip. Panic and humiliation flashed across his face. "What the h
rrifyingly sharp. He tightened his grip unti
a fraction closer to his side. "And as her future husband.
/1/133606/coverbig.jpg?v=ad7133d93c22f0dd6787606afc79decf&imageMogr2/format/webp)