Chapter 1

• Everyone in A City knew the CEO of the Dillon Group, Cassian Mercer, swapped lovers faster than he changed ties.
• I’d been married to Cassian for three years. I stocked his condoms and even cleaned up the mess when he got bored with his toys.
• Then I saw he’d tattooed his new fling Hannah’s name on his junk. I handed him the signed divorce papers.
• Cassian flung the papers. “Didn’t you say you’d love me forever? That you didn’t care who I had around?”
• I pointed at his chest. “There’s a young guy with my name inked on his chest. If I drag this out, I’m afraid he’ll be heartbroken.”
• …
• “Vivienne, you think this game is cute?”
• He leaned down, breath hot at my ear, laced with Hannah’s perfume.
• “You really think finding some snot-nosed kid is gonna make me give a damn about you?”
• “I’m not playing games.” I held the papers out again. “Sign them. It’s better for everyone.”
• Cassian let out a cold laugh, grabbed my chin, and forced my eyes up to his.
• “You’ve loved me for three years, forced me to marry you for three years, and now you’re done just like that?”
• “Vivienne, last chance. Take it back. I can pretend I didn’t hear a thing.”
• I didn’t answer. I just held his gaze, steady.
• His anger flared when I stayed quiet.
• He let go hard, yanked his jacket off the chair, and headed for the door.
• “I’m giving you three days to cool off. When you finally think straight, come apologize.”
• “Don’t come crying and begging me to come back like some tail-wagging dog.”
• Yeah. I used to be that dog.
• I saw him for the first time seven years ago at a family banquet and lost my damn mind over him.
• He lost a bet with his buddies, came over to hit on me with a throwaway joke, and I clung to it for three years.
• Three years ago, the Dillon Group’s cash flow crashed. I didn’t hesitate—I married him and injected capital into his company.
• He decided I’d used it to force him to marry me. On our wedding night, he sat on the edge of the bed and didn’t lay a finger on me.
• “Vivienne, we live our own lives. I won’t touch you. You don’t mess with my business.”
• I was clutching the hem of my wedding dress, heart sinking, but my voice stayed firm.
• “It’s okay. I’ll wait.”
• I’ll wait till you’re done playing. I’ll wait till you see me.
• I waited three years.
• I sent twenty-seven lovers packing when they came knocking.
• Hannah liked limited-edition jewelry, and he had his assistant send her my diamond necklace.
• I thought I could warm that ice-cold heart someday.
• Until an hour ago, when Cassian rushed home, agitated.
• “That young thing’s shy as hell. Still won’t let me touch her.”
• With nowhere to vent, he tore off his belt and shoved my head down.
• That’s when I saw the tattoo on his crotch.
• Hannah. The college girl he’d been chasing.
• Right then, I just felt tired.
• Three years of loving him, three years of marriage—what a joke.
• Time to end a marriage only I cared about.
• I called my lawyer and asked him to draft the divorce agreement.
• Right after I hung up, my screen lit again. A selfie he’d sent half an hour ago. Sweat on his forehead. A wicked grin on his mouth.
• “Vivienne, where are you? Let me come to you, yeah?”
• I typed back, “No need. I’ll come to you.”
• The second it sent, the doorbell rang.
• I figured Cassian had come back for something and opened the door.
• It was Hannah.
• She wore a micro miniskirt, swung a Chanel bag, and wore a smug little smile.
• “Vivienne, Cassian sent me to grab his cuff links.”
• She didn’t wait for an answer. She shouldered past me and headed straight for the master like she owned the place.
• I leaned on the doorframe and watched her slide open the drawer in Cassian’s closet, all casual, like the lady of the house.
• She fished out the sapphire cuff links and waved them at me.
• “Cassian’s taking me to Paris next week for a runway show. These go perfect with my dress.”
• She stepped up to me, looked me over, and her eyes dripped contempt.
• “Vivienne, you’re thirty. Still hogging the Mrs. Mercer spot—what’s the point?”
• “Cassian said he’ll divorce you soon.”
• I tugged at the corner of my mouth, pulled the divorce agreement from my bag, and gave it a little shake in front of her.
• “No need to wait. I’ve already signed.”
• “If you’re that eager, take it now and have him sign.”
• Hannah’s smile froze.
• She stared for a few seconds, then suddenly shrieked and slapped herself hard across the face.
• The crisp smack rang out in the empty living room.
• Before I could react, the door opened behind me.
• Cassian stood there, face like thunder.
• Hannah clutched her cheek and threw herself into his arms, sobbing.
• “Cassian, I only came for your cuff links, and Vivienne hit me…”
• Her voice trembled, and the cheek peeking through her fingers really was red.
• Cassian’s gaze cut to me, simmering with fury.
• “Vivienne, are you out of your mind?”
• He shoved me as he said it.
• I didn’t catch myself. My back slammed into the marble console by the entryway.
• The sharp edge dug into my waist, and pain ripped the breath right out of me.