He Loved Her, Not His Wife

ya

to be s

cover of every business magazine, his sharp jaw and cold, intelligent eyes a symbol of ruthless ambition. I was a student of architectural d

ic marriage to him, I was thrilled. My friends warned me. "Aniy

f the stupid optimism of a girl who had only rea

tuxedo perfectly tailored, his expression as remote as a distant sta

ame provides my company with a legacy it lacks. In return, I prevent your family' s business from collapsing. I

the perfect wife. I endured his absence, his indifference, his emotional void. My only comfort, the one th

s simply m

the way he abandoned everything for her slightest whim, proved that

tient waiting, of self-deception-it was

lway of the police station, I finally accepted the truth. My marriage was a cage, and I

ime to g

awyer specializing in high-stakes divorces. The problem, he explained, was t

illingly," my lawyer said, his tone grim. "And from wha

te, long-shot idea born from

rced the clouds. I hadn' t been there in years. Donnie preferred to kee

ure of surprise and pity. "Mrs. Winters.

ect him?" I aske

' t been in the office much fo

He was too busy play

igh-profile charity auction that night. An event he never missed.

ould find

a was clinging to his arm, wearing a diamond necklace so large it looked garis

re Picasso went up for biddi

a voice called out. The r

don' t like it. Th

on, Donnie raised his hand a

s for his cutthroat acquisition strategies, had just backed out of a hundred-million-dol

ou see

ely wrapped aro

the night: a one-of-a-kind royal blue diamond n

ful!" Bella squealed, her

ith another tycoon competing fiercely. As the price soared pa

fifty million," t

s. "Donnie, please... I love it so much." She leaned in an

watched, b

culation, melted. He looked at her, and that same sickeningly

illion," he said

la shrieked with delight and threw her arms around Donnie' s neck.

so much as a bouquet of flowers. He had called my desire for a simple anniversary dinner "fr

w to be romantic. It was that he d

of my delusion c

clutched in my hand like a shield. I walk

onn

w me. He instinctively pulled Bella behind him, a prote

re?" he asked, his voi

mistress from me. The absurd

olding out the papers. My hand was shak

disdain. "I' m busy. Give t

rising slightly. "I wa

couldn' t spend another seco

I said, the words tasting like

oreign language. He didn' t even seem to register my words. His

' s scaring me," Bella w

hand. "What is this? Is she trying to get money from you? Donn

folder, her eyes scan

e said dismissively. "You' re busy. You told me I c

Attorney. The ultimate symbol of trust. A power he

bject from her purse. It was Donnie' s personal seal, his signature stamp, cus

the seal onto the signature l