LOGINThe striking, facial structure. Sydney is an absolute, undeniable replica of the woman in the vintage photograph—Tobias’s mother. The almost psychotic protectiveness Tobias has shown toward Sydney from the very first moment he met her. The massive financial safety nets he threw under her, the fact
Before I can even open my mouth to apologize for breaking into his house, Tobias speaks. His voice is incredibly quiet, completely devoid of its usual sharp authority, yet it carries a heavy, haunting weight that pins me right to the carpet. "For years..." he murmurs, his finger continuing its slow
I stand frozen on the gravel path, the engine of Sydney’s departing car roaring in my ears. I watch the taillights of her vehicle bounce over the cemetery threshold, disappearing completely from sight, and with every inch of distance she puts between us, my heart shatters into a million jagged, irre
My throat locks up. I’ve seen Owen angry, I’ve seen him arrogant, and I’ve seen him lethal in a courtroom. But I have never seen him cry like this. "I am so sorry for leaving you in that jail cell, Sydney," he whispers again, his voice cracking completely now as he stares down at my lips. "I know n
The second Owen’s fingers touch the chrome handle of his sleek black sedan, I violently twist out of his reach. I yank myself away from his side, clutching the lapels of his oversized designer suit jacket against my chest like a shield. He freezes, his hand dropping from the door as he whips his he
My stomach completely drops. The press. The paparazzi who were banned from the main service have already spotted the commotion from the outer gates. Long, heavy camera lenses are already poking through the iron bars, the rapid, machine-gun clicking of shutters filling the air as they capture every
"Oh my...oh my God..." I’m standing on the sidewalk outside Owen’s law firm, my chest heaving as I gasp for air that feels far too thin. My ears are ringing with the echo of Georgia’s cooing voice, and all I can see is the image of her draped over Owen’s lap like she belonged there. Was he playi
I can't help it, I actually chuckle. The sheer audacity of this woman is breathtaking. "Let me get this straight," I say, leaning back. "You’re sleeping with her husband. You’ve been outed as the 'other woman.' And yet, you’re unhappy that she wants to leave? I would have thought you’d be thrilled
I lean back in my chair, the leather creaking under my weight as I stare at the massive screen mounted on my office wall. The morning news cycle is in a state of absolute, glorious meltdown. The headline scrolling across the bottom of the screen reads: SYDNEY NEWTON FILES FOR DIVORCE AFTER HUSBAND,
"Maggie!" I roar as I cross the threshold. My head housekeeper appears instantly, her eyes widening at the sight of the unconscious Sydney in my arms. "Get a thermometer and a bowl of warm water. And have the kitchen prepare a clear bone broth. Immediately." I carry her into her room and lay her do







