Page 101 of My Husband’s New Fiancée

Yes, I chose those words deliberately.

I want him to know exactly who I am to her.

A brief silence follows my statement.

Valeria looks at me. Andrea too.

Then Stephen shakes my hand firmly.

“Stephen. The bodyguard.”

He puts extra emphasis on the word body, and Valeria bursts out laughing before smacking his arm.

“Ow. That actually hurt,” he complains.

I watch them, amused. I like their closeness. I’m glad she’s surrounded by loyal people willing to protect her.

We take our seats around the table, me to Valeria’s right.

Lunch is relaxed. Little by little, we start breaking the ice.

We’ve barely finished the main course when my phone starts ringing.

Bianca.

A cold wave of anger runs through me the moment her name appears on the screen.

This woman tried to kill my wife. I have the overwhelming urge to answer and tell her exactly what I think of her.

A soft but steady hand settles over mine.

I look down.

Valeria.

The anger immediately recedes, replaced by something calmer. Deeper.

Without thinking, I lift her hand to my lips and press a kiss against it.

I instantly feel her reaction.

A faint blush colors her cheeks before she gently pulls her hand away.

I let her. For now.

Then I turn toward Andrea.

Time to talk about the ugly part: Bianca’s role in Valeria’s disappearance.

When we finish explaining everything, Andrea lets out a long breath.

“Fuck… I always felt something was off about her, but imagining she was capable of something like this…”

“She didn’t act alone,” Valeria says calmly. “And there’s someone above her.”

In a few sentences, she explains the rest.

Wald. The attack.