Broken Marriage of Convenience

e consumed by the confusing conversation he'd had with Helena days earlier. Her sudden declaration about wanting a divorce had

ous expression. "Sergey," he began, not wasting time with plea

ure. "She's been acting strange lately. I don't know what's go

s situation. Our shareholders expect stability. Helena's vote on the board is crucial fo

unting. "You think I don't know that? But what a

nces. This isn't just about you two anymore. This is about the entire company, the sha

forget how much you've gained from this deal, Anders. You've mad

, we both lose. And don't think for a second that the board will take your side if it comes to a battl

ad been a key player in his father-in-law's empire and had helped facilitate the merger

here's an old saying, 'Happy wife, happy life.' It's not just a cliché. If you can kee

eling cornered, especially by someone who should be on h

member what I said, Sergey. This is bigger than

He hated the idea of being manipulated, yet he couldn't ignore the truth in Ande

edule for the rest of the day,"

r. Novikov," t

glass of whiskey, the amber liquid catching the light. He took a long sip, the burn in his t

een her as docile, someone who would comply with the terms of their arrange

ed a strong ally to protect his interests, and Sergey needed the financial backing to expand his own ambitions. Lov

a, to convince her to stay in line. But how? She had always been distant, and now she seem

ice, and there was only one person he could think of who might be able t

d when the call connected.

ded to clear his head and figure out a plan. As he left his office, he resolved to d

_

he low hum of conversation and the clinking of glasses around him barely registered as he vented to his fr

's threatening to divorce me, Daniel. Helena. She wants out of the ma

men at a nearby table. "Maybe she's just bluffing. You know, trying to get

different this time. She's serious. And if she goes through with it,

always so focused on work. Maybe that's the problem. You need to loosen u

ss and signaled the waiter for another round. "I guess you're righ

Tonight, we're going to the VIP lounge. Th

roped-off area where a bouncer nodded them through. The VIP lounge was more intimate, with softer lighting and a more exclu

iding into the booth beside the taller of the two wome

t smile, extended her hand. "Enchantée," she said, her Fr

little more at ease. "Nic

charming, and her laughter was infectious. He tried to focus on their conversation, but Helena's

lightly, "Daniel tells me you're quite the

avoid the more stressful topics. Gabrielle listened intently, her eyes never leav

"Sergey, why don't you and Gabriel

is. He felt a flutter of nerves, a sensation he hadn't experienced in a long time

abrielle said, smiling up at him.

warmth spread through him.

ation. Sergey found himself genuinely enjoying Gabrielle's company. She was witty, en

r perfume intoxicating. "I have a shoot in the Hampt

iness swirling in his mind. But the allure of Gabrielle was t

e of paper with her number into h

iel, Gabrielle's number tucked safely in his pocket, he couldn't shake the nagging thoughts of Helena and