For the past two years, Xavier had kept me locked away behind high walls, forcing me to dress in dul

d and looked in the mirror, I barely recognized the woman staring back at me. The rich fabric hugged every curv

ok what the rain washe

g into the boutique, dripping in designer logos and brandishing a platinum card

n a place like this?" Mia asked, pasti

, turning back to the mir

about the divorce, but you really shouldn't let

efusing to give her the s

Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a familiar, broad-shouldered figure walking

t my face entirely emotionless, channeling Alexander

pped her voice to a mock whisper, thinking the shop assistants couldn't hear. "Cut the pr

ng a dangerous, quiet smile touch m

u really thought you could stay Xavier's wife forever? You naive little idiot. You were so easy to ruin. It took me less than an hour to photoshop those hotel pictures and drop them right wher

y her own arrogance. She didn't notice the heavy, f

bit deep into my palms, but I held my

d back with a triumphant laugh. "And Xavier will

Mi

ng voice echoed

ined from her face, leaving her cha

th a sickening mixture of horror, disbelief, and agonizing realization. He had heard every

a pathetic squeak as she dropped her expensive shop

p!" Xavi

Before Mia could flinch, his hand flashed through the air with a brutal backhand that

t before I kill you

ed to her feet and bolted out of t

is gaze back to me. The blind anger in his eyes vanished instantly, replaced by a crushing, desperate wave of regret. He looked at my emerald dress

me, his eyes brimming with heavy, pathetic tears. "Elena, I... oh, god, I didn't know. I was

ng as he tried to grab my waist to

er!" I snapped, violently f

nge! I promise, Elena," he begged, falling

you moron

ad built with his own hands. But before his fingers could even graze the silk of

the boutique plung

rame placing an impenetrable wall between Xavier and me. His dark eyes locked o

urmured, his deep, smooth voice dripping with absolute danger. He til

ainst Alexander's grip. Panic and humiliation flashed across his face. "What the h

rrifyingly sharp. He tightened his grip unti

a fraction closer to his side. "And as her future husband.