Twice His Wife

ws, but the warmth didn't reach her. It never did here. Across the table, Irene was speaking in measured tones-something about asset repositioning and post-acquisition branding. Anais caugh

lder: the growing realization that success wouldn't make him come closer. It might push him even further away. Was that what he wanted? For her to grow stronger just so she'd walk out on her own? The next day, Anais stopped by Irene's office with a small stack of revised mockups. She knocked once, pushed the door open, and found her not alone. Julien Roke stood beside the window. Anais froze. Julien was Cassian's rival in every sense that mattered. Once childhood friends, now corporate enemies-the tabloids loved the drama. He was leaner than Cassian, a touch more charming, and a hell of a lot more dangerous. "Anais," Julien said with a slow smile. "Didn't know you were still in town." She shut the door behind her, calm on the outside. "Apparently, neither did anyone else." He chuckled. "Well, I heard the presentation was... spicy." Irene looked up. "We're done here, Julien." But Julien didn't leave. He walked over, stopping a little too close to Anais. "You know, I always wondered why you said yes to him. Cassian's a machine. You? You're all soft corners and real blood. That man doesn't know what to do with a woman like you." Anais didn't flinch. "And you do?" He grinned wider. "I'd learn fast." Irene stood. "Julien, out." He didn't move. Anais leaned in slightly, keeping her voice low. "Tell me, Julien-do you harass every woman in the building, or just the ones married to the man you hate?" That did it. His smile thinned, and he finally stepped back. "You've changed," he said, not quite masking the annoyance in his voice. "I'm not yours to measure." When he left, Irene exhaled sharply. "He shouldn't have been in here. I didn't call him." "I know," Anais said. "But he's going to be a problem." Irene looked at her carefully. "Cassian will lose his mind if he finds out Julien so much as looked at you." Anais laughed once, bitter and quiet. "Cassian doesn't look at me anymore." She went home that evening expecting silence. Instead, she walked in and fou