Page 16 of My Husband’s New Fiancée

“You know him.”

“Let’s say I suspected you’d call. Heir to one of the largest fortunes in France. Corporate lawyer. His family has holdings in tech, real estate, energy. Private. Travels often. No known official relationship to date.”

“How long has he known her?”

“Hard to say. Even through him, I couldn’t find any trace of her.”

I don’t want to ask the question. But not knowing would be worse.

“Does she live with him?”

“No. He lives alone.”

Andrea pauses, emphasizing what comes next.

“Even now, I still can’t locate her. No registered address, no lease, no subscriptions, no bills. On paper, she doesn’t exist. Someone is helping erase every trace of her.”

“Perez.”

“Probably. He has the means.”

I stare at the lights of Paris beyond the window.

“She’s hiding.”

“That’s what the evidence suggests.”

If she’s hiding, she’s running from something.

“Why?”

“That’s the right question. And I don’t have the answer yet.”

When I hang up, my fingers struggle to unclench around the phone.

She’s still wearing her wedding band and her engagement ring.

I couldn’t stop myself from checking, even while I was pouring my fury over her. I couldn’t help it.

I removed mine the day I agreed to marry Bianca. I have nothing to feel guilty about. Valeria disappeared. She let me believe she was dead. I can’t forget that.

Bianca comes home an hour later. She enters without a word, sets down her bag, and looks at me. Her eyes search mine carefully before she speaks.

“You should have told me you were leaving.”

Her voice is calm. No accusation. But something flickers in her eyes, too quickly for me to clearly identify it.

“I know. I’m sorry.”

She nods, steps closer and places a hand on my cheek.

I don’t lean into the touch.

“How are you?”

I search for an honest answer. I don’t find one.

She sees it on my face.