Page 28 of My Husband’s New Fiancée

“Tell me something, Dante…”

Her voice changes: lower now, sharper and more lucid.

“Have you asked yourself why you’re so angry? Why you’re so lost?”

I don’t answer.

Because I know the truth, and I refuse to say it out loud.

Because this anger… isn’t directed only at Valeria.

It’s directed at myself. At what I still feel for her. At this crack inside me I can’t seem to seal shut.

And for the first time, I no longer know who betrayed whom.

8. Funding Round

Valeria

Monday, December 19

This morning, Mara confirmed what we already knew: the meeting with Ciphera Corp regarding the funding round was scheduled for ten o’clock in the second-floor conference room.

She’s been working inside Aurenza Biotech for two weeks now. Hired as a temp to replace a secretary on maternity leave, she has access to calendars, meeting rooms, and hallway conversations.

She’s our eyes and ears inside the company.

And more importantly, she’s keeping an eye on Dante.

We arrive at 9:55.

The receptionist looks up from her screen and freezes when she recognizes me. Her eyes widen. She opens her mouth—

But Hugo is already sliding a document onto the desk with smooth professional efficiency.

“Hugo Perez, Perez & Associates. We have an urgent matter to discuss with Mr. Ivanov. It concerns shareholder rights.”

By the time the receptionist figures out what she’s supposed to do, we’re already inside the elevator.

The doors close in muffled silence.

“You ready?” Hugo asks.

“Yes.”

Not entirely true. But it doesn’t matter.

The elevator doors open onto the second floor. We walk down the glass corridor beneath the stunned stares of employees.

I stop in front of the double doors leading into the main conference room.

I inhale slowly.

Then push them open.

The room falls silent.

I scan the room.