Page 45 of My Husband’s New Fiancée

Valeria Ivanov.

He never revoked my access. My married name is still in the system. Still active. Still valid.

A lump forms in my throat.

It has to be an administrative oversight. He simply forgot to update the system.

That’s all it is.

He’s marrying Bianca in three days.

I push the door open and feel myself thrown two years into the past.

This place used to be my second home. My kingdom. The one Dante designed for me.

To the right of the entrance lies the open workspace lined with lab benches.

Several researchers glance up as I pass and greet me. I recognize some of them. I give a brief nod before turning toward the left wing — administrative offices and highly confidential areas.

The first office belongs to the head of R&D: Ms. Louane Nguyen.

I knock.

“Come in.”

Louane is bent over her monitor. Her fingers continue flying across the keyboard before she finally looks up at me.

Eurasian, in her early forties, dressed in an immaculate dark suit, she studies me without bothering to hide her assessment.

We’ve never met. She was probably hired after I disappeared.

Eventually, she rises and walks around the desk to offer her hand.

“Ms. Delorme.”

Her grip is firm. Deliberately so.

“Ms. Nguyen.”

We sit across from each other. She folds her hands on the desk.

“May I ask what motivated your return?”

Direct. No small talk.

“I intend to resume my research.”

A slight tic tightens her jaw.

“And more specifically?”

“First, I’ll review the old files. After that, I’ll decide.”

Her index finger taps slowly against the wood.

“You realize that’s still... vague.”

“We’ve only just met,” I reply calmly. “So I’m sure you understand why I’m not about to lay out all my plans within the first five minutes.”