e's

er sho

da had walked back into our lives like a storm, and Christian had done nothing

her. Selfi

He didn't even try to hide his disdain. If Amanda wasn't around to s

tables, trying to prepare dinner for a man who co

lked in, his face, as usual, set in a frown. His tie was loosened, and his m

tly, trying not to let the

There's a gala tonight," he said abruptly, tossing his briefcase onto t

nds on a towel. "Okay. Should I set yo

brows furrowing. "You

ok me by sur

y. "You're still my wife. It w

u've spent the last three days making me feel like dirt. And now

this more difficult than it n

how you've treated me. I can't j

ow and cold. "If you want to continue living in this house, und

swallowing the lump in my throat. "Fine,"

fectly, with just enough sparkle to catch the light. For the first time in what felt like forever, I loo

Christian waiting by the door. His eyes flicked up to me, and instead o

ressed," he s

in my trac

ring to my dress. "The investors aren't coming to

this what every man wanted? To see their

was a man who would rather protect

d changed into a simpler black dress. It was plain, m

patience visible even from a distance. I slipped into the

two invitation cards on the dashboard. My heart swelled sl

and adjusted my dress, Christian turned

ht back," he

ss. "I'll head to the rest

e walked toward the entrance,

e restroom a few minutes

with him, her hand tucked into his arm. They laughed together, the

. My mind raced, and I hurried back to the car

. This wasn't just humil

a security guard blocked my way.

ing with frustration. "But my husb

ined firm. "I'm sorry, ma'a

ut his hand gripped my arm

apped, struggling

going on

o see a tall, well dressed man approaching us. His s

g a scene," t

nded on me. "She's with me," he

d, but after a mom

e stranger asked,

hank you. I... I don't know

just say I don't like seein

to thank him again, but before I could,

are you doing

his eyes blazing. He turned to

o the fuc