ing. The sky outside the parking garage bled from

d sweat on her palm. Her breath came in short, sharp gasps, her heart hammering against her ribs like a trap

e a deep, ragged breath. No tears came. Jus

y back the last seven years, not

d night, fueled by coffee and passion, writing the core code. Aiden handled the "networ

the celebration dinner as, "My fiancée, the inspiration for all of this." He never once mentio

ded by friends and family. It was all a stage play. And sh

agreement. "It's just a formality for a family like mine," he'd said, smiling that charming smile. "To p

, her personal assets-including the substantial trust fund inherited from her moth

id. The prenup wasn't an agreeme

died, Aiden had convinced Alanna to let Ember live in a nearby condo, so he could "take care of her." Ember would look at

e jewelry. "She's had such a hard time," he

nts. Aiden had claimed the company needed cash f

ool. A walking A

n its place, an inferno of rage erupted, l

when she looked in the rearview

down and found a different number belonging to Sophie Hayes, her most trusted assis

swered immediately. "Alanna

voice chillingly calm. "I need you t

, the engine roaring to lif

financial records for the past five years. I want every major expenditur

proving my founding equity, my status as the sole technical

Aiden Mcmahon and Ember

on on the other end.

cate carefully in a protected sleeve in her handbag. It

was a single photo: Aiden's car, a silver Pors