Hands of Stone, Heart of Vengeance

after a car crash stole his memory of our love five years ago. He replaced me with

a sudden allergic reaction, she tearfully accused me of being

. In a blind rage, he declared that if my hands were used for evil, they shouldn't

s, I will seal them forever," he co

me displayed in the window of our flagship sto

I finally understood. My blind love and foolish hope had been my d

en camera I'd planted in the nursery. And they had no idea that

pte

na

fting him a new life with a woman whose lies were as synthetic as her beauty. Now, he stood before me, basking in the flashbulbs, while I, his legal wife a

d in something," I was ordered, my

adoring press. "This launch better live up to t

dismissive wave of his hand. It was a knife twist I had grown accustomed to. My life's

The gallery asked about you. I saw Adrian reaching for a glass of champagne. My hand in

ng away his claim to me. He

horizing another million-dollar purchase. He was unknowingly signing his

lla claimed was Adrian's heir, pointed at me

deliberately tilted his ice cream cone, smearing chocolate and strawberry syrup all

oded my insides. I offered them a tight, professional smile, picking up the signed pap

ing shriek. "She pinched me!

contorted with disgust. "Don't touch him

question, but to shove m

p for a live demonstration. A sharp crack echoed through the silent backstage area. Pain exploded across my hand as boili

already turning an angry red. But his

wiped at a stray drop of oil on his own sleeve, as if my presence carried

A photo of us in the lab left "accidentally" on his desk. Each time, his amnesia-fueled rage would erupt. The punishments were swift and brutal. Once, I had dared to wear the first perfume I ever made for him. His fist had connected with the

self to stand tall. "Of course, Mr. Foster," I man

voice returning to its usual arrogant tone. "

ut I straightened my shoulders and turned. My face must have been ghostly pale, because even Adrian, in his self-absorbed

, finally! The stage is ours! I need to t

rian remarked, his eyes narrowed. "No snide remark

sional, Mr. Foster. And my past

? Since when did you get so formal, my rose?" His voice was laced wi

e couldn't remember, a past he'd erased. I pushed the memory down, fo

k away, desper

hat? My fans love seeing the 'genius' behind the brand. C

han the pain in my hand. I glanced at Adrian, a desperate plea

. "Consider it part of your 'dut

ht. Not now. Not when freedom was so close. I walked back, my head bowed, and stood

, Elena," he said, his voice dangerously low, "your obedience is a

ribs. "I am merely fulfilli

illing obligations, how about this? Smile. Look happy for us. I'll need some proof of a

cribing the luxurious bottle of "Royal Baby." Adrian put his arm arou

light a tiny, mocking eye. It was pointed at their perfect fam

numb. The sounds of their forced intimacy, her coos, his low mur

at was amazing, Addy!" Bella cried, throwing

ead, and shattered against the wall behind him,

nd dawning fury. His jaw clenched. He was about to expl

so impassive, contorted in a strange, pained exp

e hoarse, laced with confusion. "