ntin

s, her voice carrying across the stunned silence of the room. "

nts of judgment that washed over me. "Cr

e was protecting Isabella, shielding her with his b

me. "You're my family, Vally. I'd burn the world

d, pressing a hand to her forehead as if staving of

that moment, I saw it all: the calculation, the weighing of options

," he announced to the room. "Valentina was a valued analyst on my team. A brilliant one. But it

e was wiping out three years of my life, redu

ally and formally married two months ago. We will be hosting a celebration next m

onger the brilliant mind behind his success. I was the delusional girl who couldn't take

in them. He walked toward me, leaving Isabella in the care of anot

you will issue a public apology to Isabella and

s bride. They left the hall, a protective circle of his men surrounding them, lea

ed my lips. Home. He

ho

I felt hollowed out, a fragile shell. The place that

ing on the sofa, nursing a glass of whiskey. He looked up at me, his expre

ed to talk,"

o talk about," I s

air. "Look, I know you're upset. I hand

were using me? That ou

have is real. Isabella... she's a strategic alliance. Her family has conne

struggling to comprehend

ally. Trust me. Lik

his face, the face I had loved, the face I had trust

who you are,

zing frustration. "Don't be difficult. Thi

able. He glanced at the screen.

nswered. "Bella? Are you okay? No, of course I'm not mad at

her* feelings. The betrayal was so complete, so absolute, that