rey

allowed the light. The air was heavy with an unfamiliar, musky scent. My heart thrummed a nervous rhyth

stark, white, featureless one that added to his aura of enigma. He moved with a quiet grace, closing the distance between us until he stood

masked gaze bore into mine, and I felt a shiver trace do

surprisingly gentle, yet firm. It sliced through th

t almost crumbled. "Yes," I admitted, my voice barely a whisper

ched me. "And why are you here, then?" he ask

hers, who reveled in the illicit thrill of a "billionaire's wife.

leave him. To start over. He controls every aspect of my life

, disgust, perhaps a cruel joke. Instead, he simply reached out, his gloved hand tracing the li

dared to voice in years. I spoke of art, of restoration, of the quiet satisfaction of bringing beauty back to life. He listened, truly listened,

his voice firm, possessive in a new, uns

My personal concierge. It felt less de

he sheer volume of it made my head spin. For Adam, this sum was pocket change, a trivial expense. For me, it was a mountain, a path

ing me. A message from

e expects me to come running, doesn't he? I thought, a surge of rebellion tighte

rt reply: "A

e mansion prematurely, to his cold gaze, was unbearable. As I walked, lost in thought, a dress in a boutique win

tylist who somehow always managed to pick out pieces that reminded me of Elenore' s elegant, understated style. I was a walking hom

bric flowed beautifully, the color a stark contrast to the muted tones Adam favored. I looked in the mirror, and for the firs

gh me. The price tag, though not extravagant, would have on

small, delicate jade pendant I'd seen. He'd scoffed. "You have enough jewelry, Aubrey. Don't be greedy." I'd spe

, pulling me in. A large, decadent chocolate cake. I bought it, a defiant gesture ag

almost painfully sweet. My stomach, long accustomed to meager, carefully measured meals, protested.

ut from under a bush. The cat looked up at me, its eyes bright, and for a moment, I saw a reflection of mysel

own choices, even small ones,

erous secret. Adam would never tolerate it. I couldn' t risk him finding i

lding up the dress. "Would yo

dress, then back at me, her eyes w

id, handing it to

er walk away, a faint smile on my lips, I felt a strange lightness. I hadn't

ers emanating from the living room. I recognized the low murmur of Adam

face pale, surrounded by a team of medical personnel in crisp white u

brey?" he demanded, his voice chillingly calm. "And why are you wearing those clothes?"

wasn't a wellness check

his voice devoid of emotion,