Page 114 of My Husband’s New Fiancée

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After dinner, Mara and Stephen head home, leaving us under Galen’s protection.

At 9:00 p.m., Hugo checks in on me.

HUGO: So, how was your day?

VALERIA: Emotionally exhausting. I talked to Dante.

HUGO: And?

VALERIA: He’s sleeping here tonight.

The response comes instantly.

HUGO: In that case, I won’t keep you any longer. Try not to get up to anything naughty, you two.

I send him an eye-roll emoji.

A low laugh escapes Dante.

I glance up.

“Are you spying on my messages now?”

“I just wanted to know if I needed to eliminate the competition.”

He says it casually before adding,

“That text message probably just saved his life.”

I roll my eyes.

“Arrogant.”

“Realistic.”

He settles across from me at the kitchen counter.

“Tell me about Hugo.”

Despite myself, I smile. I tell him about my friend, about Bernadette and Arnaud, about their estate in Sarthe, about the studio they built for me there.

His gaze softens.

“I’d like to thank them.”

“I’m sure you’ll like them.”

He nods. Then his expression changes.

“Something’s bothering me,” he says.

“What? Tell me.”

“Did you really believe I could choose Bianca over you?”

I brush an invisible speck of dust from the counter before answering.