Page 8 of My Husband’s New Fiancée

“You’ll get your shares back through our lawyers.”

He’s already turning away. His hand settles on the gold door handle.

“But don’t expect anything else from me.”

He opens the door. Hallway light cuts across his silhouette.

“You died to me two years ago, Valeria.”

The door slams shut.

Silence crashes down immediately afterward.

His words linger in the air like an open wound.

He learned how to live without me.

And yet… the man I saw standing in front of me tonight was anything but indifferent.

But I can’t afford hope.

My life depends on it.

Fine.

I’ll fight this battle without him.

2. The Best Friend

Valeria

The confrontation with Dante stripped me bare.

I retreat into the restroom. Both hands braced against the edge of the sink, I stare at the woman reflected back at me in the mirror. My mascara hasn’t smudged. My dress is flawless. Nothing betrays the frantic pounding of my heart.

He looked at me like I was the enemy.

I turn on the cold water and plunge my wrists beneath it.

Inhale. Exhale. Slowly.

No. I will not fall apart here.

I lift my head—

And Bianca is there.

She must have slipped in seconds earlier without making a sound. Her gaze flicks automatically toward the empty stalls before returning to me—the reflex of someone making sure there are no witnesses.

I suddenly remember her at eighteen. Red eyes. Silent tears. A suitcase abandoned in my hallway while I dragged her inside without asking questions.

I gave her half my bed that night.

That was twelve years ago.

“Well,” she says lightly, “this is one hell of a surprise.”

The sweetness from the ballroom is gone.