uffocate her. For an instant, she was unreadable- masked shock and

e like that: your wife, mother of your children. For that.that.!"

th your lies, your betrayal, all of it. But this? You would ruin everything we cr

lling her that. This isn't so

hness. If you believe for one moment I am going to allow you to show her off as y

ing this is a happy marriage?" Alex sna

me? Fine. But I will not go down alone. I have spent too many years building this family's reputation,

ve

marry her, I will destroy you, Alex. I will take it all. The business, the

glint in her eye. "Evely

n's voice was low, almost a hiss

, leaving Alex standing in the middle of the grand living room,

out her phone and began making calls. She would make sure May

to hold firm, to struggle for what was his. But Evelyn's fury

rvously tugging at the strap of her purse. She had been here countles

s. Her gaze was cold, calculating. Gone was the composed woman Maya had seen once at charit

yn's voice was d

orced herself to sit

a. I didn't ask

nder the table, but she held to

torting on her lips. "I want you out of

closed. "Alex

istraction," Evelyn cut in. "But this isn't a fairytale, Maya. This

you so threatened?" Maya's voice

ow the difference between you and me, Maya? I built this life w

ared," May

Scared? You have no idea who you're dealing with. I've tolerated enough

tered. "You can't

ou again. Jobs? Friends? Even your reputation? Gone." Evelyn's voice was ic

came in shaky

The truth. You're not prepared for the fallout of this affair. Yo

rs, but she made herself mee

up from her chair, her voice freezin

staring at the tea spilled on the

Maya's head, every single syllable dripping contempt. Maya sat t

d thin over the shaking rage. "I'm not the one your marri

t sliced deeper than a sword. "You became my pro

t she forced herself to pause, breathing sharply.

Maya flinch. "Don't you dare act like a victim?

t?" Maya's defiance flared despite her fear. "Ma

g the attention of a few other customers in the cafe. Her face

hreatening me, Evelyn? Because I won'

f you don't disappear from his life, I will make sure everything yo

ze with a strength she hadn't known she pos

fabric of her designer coat. "We'll see." And with that, she turned and walked ou

arp needle pricking her heart. She had been prepared for scorn, b

Alex, she would be at war with Evelyn, a war she wasn't sure she could win. If

reen. A flood of emotions swept over her-fear,

something, to take a chance. Her fingers gripped

the phone and

whispered, her voice shaki

she asking for help to figh