y curtains of the guest bedroom, but

n number was still there. The picture of Zyran and Mina l

at it," a voi

tray with toast, fruit, and a glass of milk. She loo

did you?" she asked, settin

y. My ankle was stiff, wrapped in a bandage, and my stomach fel

sighed. "Honestly, Rose? I don't know. Men can be clueless. But Zyran isn't th

an Mina isn't trying. She's a snake and your husband is letting her cr

eels responsible for her. H

e snapped. "You are his wif

"You are carrying his child, Roosevelt. You have

he looked at her last night? He defended her. If I tell him now, he might think I am just

d. "You really think s

rs, Nixie," I said flatly. "I

ere was a knoc

ossed her arms, puttin

n," I ca

mpeccable as always. He smelled of expensive cologne and coffee. He didn'

at Nixie,

is voice was calm and profe

ed. It throbbed wi

e for a few hours. There is a board meeting I cannot miss. Security

spike of anxiety. "Zyran, we are in a

He took a step closer to the bed but stoppe

course she is. Does she h

ers. Her documents were destroyed in the fire. My assistant is mee

one," Nixie argued.

oking back at me. "I don't want any more 'accidents' w

he chose to take her with him. He was leaving his injured,

ng down at my hands. "

wanted to say something else. He noticed the banda

he said finally. "Please... ju

and walked

allway. I heard Mina's voice downstairs, hig

the bed and took a bite

declared. "A handsome

myself to drink it. I had to be strong. Not for Zyran, a

asked. "We can't just sit here

The sadness was still there, but a bit of f

ed to make a call. If Zyran is going to prioritiz

u calling?"

y. "I need to know what my

approvingly. "

ast and planning, while my husband drove a

or me to walk without limping. The doctor said the baby was stab

silence was too loud. Every time I saw Mina, she would give me a little smile

eathe. I needed

e asked, zipping up her overnight bag. She

irt. "I have a presentation for the Henderson

ll me if the 'Ghost' tries

l," I p

ask Zyran for permission. I just sent him a

air. The smell of fresh coffee and drafting paper calmed me instantly.

id, looking relieved. "We have been trying to manage the

k. This was my kingdom. Here, I wasn't the neglected wife or the clumsy pr

f in fabric swatches, color palettes, and bluep

office p

hrough the intercom. "Mr. King is

tightened. L

phone. "Zyran? Is

m, but there was a hesitation in his tone that I wasn't used

action," I said hone

d. "Actually, I have a favo

ected my work. He never asked fo

aid. "What d

condo in the city center. It needs a complete interior redesign. Furni

abbing a pen. "But for you, I can pull some strings

the other end of the line.

tor," he finally said.

roze on t

" I whi

ed quickly. "And she can't go back to her old neighborhood

rom my face. He bought he

gn it?" I asked, my voice

na has been through a lot. I want her to have a place that feel

uggest

see if I would bow down and serve her. She wanted me to

I don't

ust want to get her settled so things can go back to normal for us. If you

e blank notepad

ing no. It was humil

he accused me of being. If I said no, he would hire someone

e building a nest for the woman

Zyran asked. "

ing white. I had to make a choice. Save my p

the addres