Kylee bit down on her lip so hard she tasted blood, wondering if the long-term medication she was on had finally started causing hallucinations. A moment later, she heard her husband's voice. It was warm and low, with that familiar magnetic quality that had once made her heart race.
"The company's IPO is at a critical stage. We still need her. If this gets out, the listing is dead in the water, and all the blame will fall on you. I don't want to see that happen..."
"Mmph-not here. This is your office."
"I sent everyone on a team-building trip. It's just the two of us, so relax. Once the company goes public, I'll find the right time to get rid of Kylee. Then I can give you the status you deserve, out in the open. No more sneaking around."
"God... Christopher, slow down..."
The rustle of clothing was followed by the unmistakable sounds of intimacy-loud, shameless, and utterly careless.
Kylee didn't remember leaving the building. One moment she was standing frozen outside the office, and the next her legs gave out, sending her crumpling to the pavement.
The contents of her purse scattered across the concrete. Among them, a marriage certificate glared up at her-the very one she had painstakingly taped back together after it had been torn to shreds. The sight was a cruel joke.
She had been diagnosed with infertility before their wedding. Unable to have a child of her own, she had agreed when Christopher suggested they adopt a son.
Earlier today, she'd come home to find their bedroom ransacked. Liam, the boy they had adopted, had found the marriage certificate in its lockbox and torn it to pieces.
Kylee was still struggling with being a new mother and had no idea how to handle Liam's destructive behavior.
With no other choice, she had taken the taped document to the county clerk's office for a replacement. But the clerk had told her the certificate was a fake.
According to the state marriage database, her status was, and always had been, unmarried.
Kylee had tried to convince herself it was just a system error. She had driven straight to Christopher's office to ask him what was going on.
Instead, she'd found him with Tessa, having sex without a care in the world. The truth crashed down on her.
The child she had raised for five years was Christopher and Tessa's biological son.
And they were the ones who had been legally married five years ago.
"Sean, hi. I'm ready to sign the property agreement. There's no need to wait."
Kylee pushed herself up from the ground and made a call to the lawyer. Her voice was steady, cool, and completely composed, as if she were a different person entirely.
"Are you absolutely certain? Mr. Stanley's will requires a five-year character evaluation of your partner."
"I'm certain. And since I'm currently unmarried and have no children, there won't be any complications with the inheritance."
Two weeks ago, an attorney named Sean Carter had called Kylee.
He'd informed her that the biological father she'd long thought dead was actually one of the top tycoons in Drauron. He had passed away from an illness just last month.
He had never married and had no other children. His estate-stocks, real estate, businesses, and collectibles-was worth trillions.
Kylee was his only living heir. A DNA test had confirmed their relationship before his death, and he had wanted her to inherit everything.
But when Sean learned she was married, he explained that the will stipulated a five-year character evaluation period for her husband.
Kylee had refused without a second thought.
She would never put a price on her marriage or subject Christopher to that kind of scrutiny.
In the end, she was the fool. She had been kept completely in the dark while Christopher, Tessa, and Liam were a real family all along.
Christopher had humiliated her beyond words. There was nothing left to say.
She would make Christopher understand that without her, he was nothing.
At the hotel, the documents she needed to sign were piled high. By the time the inheritance procedures were complete, it was noon the next day.
Kylee took a cab home. When she walked through the door, she found Christopher on the sofa with a chubby little boy in his lap, his expression dark.
Tessa sat beside them, her face a mask of worry. Seeing Kylee, Christopher finally spoke, his voice tight with irritation.
"Where were you last night? You didn't come home, you didn't answer your phone. Liam is terrified of the dark-he cried all night!"
Kylee felt no desire to answer him, nor could she stand to look at the pair. She headed straight for the stairs.
Christopher shot up and grabbed her wrist. "Kylee, what's wrong with you? Why are you ignoring me?"
She yanked her arm free.
He frowned, but his expression quickly softened. "Is this because I've been too busy lately? Are you upset? Okay, my fault, honey. I'm sorry. I'll have the cook make your favorite lemon-glazed salmon tonight. Forgive me?"
As he reached for her again, Kylee brushed his hand away. "Don't touch me."
Just then, Tessa's uniquely sultry voice drifted over. "Kylee, it's true Christopher has been busy and a bit neglectful. That's his fault. But the company is about to go public, so you should try to be more understanding. There's no need to be so petty."
Kylee raised her eyes to Tessa, who had walked over to play mediator. She wore a cream-colored knit dress, her long hair falling in soft waves. Her figure was curvy and elegant, and she carried herself with a sophisticated grace that radiated mature charm. No wonder Christopher was obsessed.
"Tessa, what a surprise," Kylee said, a tight, humorless smile on her face. "Oh, wait. No, it's not. You're here every day. Anyone would think you were Christopher's actual wife."
Tessa's eyes widened. "Wh-what are you talking about? Christopher is my brother-in-law!"
As if afraid her reaction was too much, Tessa quickly lowered her head, the perfect picture of wounded pride.
"I'm sorry, Kylee. I didn't realize my being here was bothering you so much. I'll leave."
Christopher caught Tessa's arm, frowning at Kylee. "She's family. She's just concerned about us. How can you talk to her like that? Apologize to her right now." He took a breath before adding, "Her apartment is being renovated, so she'll be staying with us for a while. She's a renowned violin teacher-she can help Liam with his violin."
After five years of sneaking around, he was finally bringing her into their home, making her the lady of the house in all but name.
"No," Kylee said quietly.
"Kylee!" Christopher snapped.
It was the first time in five years he had been this angry. But so what?
Kylee met his furious gaze, a slow, knowing smile touching her lips. "Are you sure you want to fight with me right now, Christopher?"
Of course, he didn't. The IPO depended on her, and as the company's financial manager, she was the only one who could clean up the messy books.
Wiping away her tears, Tessa tugged at his sleeve. "Alright, please stop fighting because of me. If Kylee doesn't want me here, I'll just go stay with a friend. Just talk things out. I'll leave now."
"No! Aunt Tessa can't go!"
At that, Liam, who had been playing nearby, exploded. He charged at Kylee and began furiously yanking on her clothes.
"You should be the one to leave, you bad woman! Get out of my and Daddy's house!"
"Liam, your mommy is just upset right now. I will come see you another time, okay?" Tessa cooed.
"No! I like you more! I want you to stay and tell me stories!"
As if remembering something, Liam's chubby face contorted with anger. He planted both hands on Kylee's stomach and gave her a hard shove.
"If Mommy disappears, then no one can make Aunt Tessa leave!"
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