al Mrs. Linden Is

of the glass-clad skyscrap

that became the foundation of this magnificent building. I found the office space on Craigslist. I negotiated the

- white marble, black steel, a massive screen playing Pandora's latest campaign. I stopped myself from rolling my eyes at the sea of Patag

onist with a super-tight sleek bun and French-manicured nails as long as pocket-knife blades, typing away ceasel

has to be friendly, right? A CEO's wife has to be gracious even when her c

. Do you have an appointment? Mr. Linden's schedule is fully booked until next week. He i

t need an appointment. Please call upstairs and tell Zachary h

e from head to toe, her eyes lingering on my matronly beige cashmere coat, my face with its minimal, natural makeup, m

f her mouth twitched as she stifled a laugh, and she loo

sing that cooing, sing-song tone people reserve for

could feel a fire igniting in my chest, urgin

so wanted to protect the reputation we had built together. If I screamed here, someone would

IP elevator now," I said, my voice lower and trembling with suppressed emot

r very important time. She turned her monitor slightly

f you're just hallucinating from listening to too many interviews. But for the sake of everyone's peace o

ass

harassing my own husb

ly slammed against

tives turned to look. A barista stopped steaming milk

in corporate America. "I built this company before you even graduated high school. I wrote the first check for this desk. Call your security.

phant smile that made my stomach turn. She wasn't intimidated in

, raising her voice so the whole lobby could hear. "But you are

ure of that?!" I snapped, my breath

my eyes with a smug smirk. S

ing at a social club. Her coat is Max Mara, not whatever that is. Her bag is Birkin, no

by went

ago with her oat milk latte. She told me, and I quote, 'If a short woman in a beige coat says she's me, cal

stopped

antly. My heart, which had been pounding with r

dy up

m about wo

ated oat milk. I wa

g for excuses and justifications for Zachary, suddenly

our marriage... my husband was actually letting another woman sit on the executive

the VIP elevator doors behind me. Her eyes suddenly lit up with pu

te is still warm!" she greeted in a sicken

went numb. The foil packet in my coat pocke

turned around to see which she-devil had da