Page 198 of My Husband’s New Fiancée

They sweat at the thought of missing something important.

And Dante deliberately maintains that pressure.

The more doubt grows, the more predictable they become.

And yet, in the middle of this silent war, something unexpected happens.

Aurenza starts breathing again.

The stock price steadily rises. Employees begin talking about the future instead of survival. Some of them even dare to make long-term plans again.

A forgotten energy seems to be returning to the hallways.

As if the entire company were finally waking from a long sleep.

Without even realizing it, Dante is giving everyone hope again.

“He’s himself again,” Andrea tells me one afternoon as we wait for Dante in a restaurant near the Champs-Élysées.

I turn slightly toward him.

“What do you mean?”

Andrea gives a faint smile.

“For two years, he kept moving forward because he had to. But he wasn’t really there anymore. Now he is.”

Henri, seated across from us, nods calmly.

“Before, he reacted. Now he anticipates again.”

He slowly spins his glass between his fingers before adding:

“And when Dante starts anticipating several moves ahead… usually someone ends up ruined.”

And judging by the faint smile on his face, I’m not entirely sure he minds that.

Despite myself, I smile.

And yet, beneath this appearance of control, one question remains.

Will Wald take the bait?

Dante arrives at the manor at 6:45 PM. No matter how grueling his days are, he always makes sure to be home in time to help with dinner. It’s our ritual—a sacred window of time for us to reconnect and catch up on our days. Usually, after a quick shower, we gather around the kitchen island to split the chores: he handles the main course, I do the appetizer, or vice versa.

Tonight, dinner is already waiting when he arrives.

For days now, I’ve watched him take back control of the world.

Tonight, for a few hours, I want him to stop being the CEO.

I have big plans for us. Between the embroidered tablecloth, the champagne flutes, and the candles, I’ve gone all out. The moment he sees me, his smile makes every effort worth it. He pulls me into his arms, spins me around, and kisses me with a raw, desperate passion.

Without a word, he lifts me up. I instinctively wrap my legs around his waist, and he carries me toward the bedroom, never once breaking the kiss. Once we reach the bathroom, he sets me slowly on the floor and steps back, his eyes locked onto mine.

I know exactly what he wants from me.

Slowly, I slide off my jacket and let it fall to the floor. Keeping my gaze pinned to his, I undo my blouse, button by button. His eyes follow the movement of my hands, refusing to miss a single second. In response, his own hand loosens the knot of his tie, as if he’s struggling to breathe. I pull back the fabric, revealing the black and deep red lace bra that frames my breasts.