be a formality, a simple arrangement for the sake of business. But she had underestimated just how cold and calculated Alexander Bla

e. The floors gleamed under the harsh lights, the walls decorated with abstract art tha

around. He didn't need to be. The business was already his. He had the power, the resources.

r apartment. She was exhausted, her mind foggy from too many hours s

missing from the entryway, a sign that he wasn't home. She was relieved for the moment of peac

trange sense of curiosity washed over her. She hesitated but walked towar

an unknown number. But the moment she glanced at the name listed under t

e phone down, a gnawing feeling remained, a sense of unease that wouldn't let her go. She had married a man who s

ford to let herself get lost in this. There was a business to r

e the room, the sound of foots

readable. His eyes flicked to the phone on the table, th

id, his voice low, a hint of somet

quicken. She had been

lming. "You didn't have to touch my things. That's not how this works. You're my wi

ut the way he spoke, the control in his voice-it trigge

oice barely above a whisper.

nt, she thought he might snap at her, his anger bubbling to the

room for secrets between us. I expect full transparency. In this marriage, the

nymore-couldn't look at the way his intense gaze seemed to

ed, her voice steady de

ly turned and walked away, disappearing into the hallway. Amelia was lef

unease l

n she received a call from her lawyer. As she

strained. "There's been a developme

e and the sterile feel of the place overwhelming. Amelia s

es behind your back. He's trying to take full control of your father's assets-every

ught. "What a

to lose everything if you don't act fast. And I don'

g back at her-familiar, yet somehow distant. She wasn't sure who she was bec

back. She couldn't let him win. Not like

that perhaps their marriage wasn't just a business deal after all. Maybe it was a wa