Unexpected Husband, Unexpected Freedom Won

of the city. It was clean, impersonal, and the exact opposite of the cluttered, oppressive wor

d. Wi-Fi password is on the desk. My lab is off-limi

smile and then disappeared in

sAI, fielding calls from excited investors, and systematically cutting ties with Rich

r, Liam knock

he said, holdin

. The headline read: "Sterling Heir, Julian Sterling, and Phi

gnized from Richard's parties. Isabella. She had her h

the problem. "He's getti

," Liam said, his

full of fawning praise for the yo

the fallout from a complicated relationship with his father's former protégée, Olivia Reed. 'Julian is a sensitive soul,' the

ng it to paint me as the unstable ex who

Liam said, scrol

but the language was pure Richard. It hinted that the "stress"

as Richard. I ignored it. He immediately called again. And

, Richard?" I ask

ined, urgent. "Isabella is... she's not well. The doctor says she's

is my pr

said, his voice dropping. "She has a

ty of the request suckin

to the hospital, you donate, and we can put

low. "You're trying to publicly blame me for your son's me

insisted, his voice risi

hard. A thousand times

ung

is eyes wide. "He did not

aking with a rage so pure it

red. He was still trying to control me, to use me, to

new Richard, an avid collector, would love it. It cost a fortune, more than I could afford, but I bought it for his birth

then put it on a

ives, being used as a paperweight. When I asked about it, the executive

and utter disregard for my effort, my thoughtfulnes

I said to Liam. "I need to get

ng alone," he s

be f

your partner. That means I help you carry the heavy

y paid the lease on, the doorman looked at me with pity. "Mr.

od ran

worked. I pushed the door

y glossy art magazines. My clothes had been cleared out of the closet, shoved into trash bags in the corner.

vorite armchair, sat Isabella Vance. She was h

hat didn't reach her eyes. "I'm so

itchen, a protective arm goin

told me you refused to help. After everything you'v

artment," I said,

"it's our apartment now. Richard transferred the l

ant look on her face. "You see, O

-