"See that? She's not playing around."
"I know, right? I figured since they're legally married, she was just venting. But this is real."
"After a threat like that, who'd risk helping him?"
I lost control. I stormed over and grabbed Leila's wrist.
"Is this really what you want? To humiliate me in front of everyone for some pretty boy?"
Leila sneered and whipped her hand across my face.
Crack.
"Yes."
I turned back to her, stunned. Three years of marriage. Three years of being known as the perfect couple. She'd been the one who pursued me when I first came to Capital City.
At our wedding, she'd made vows. Loyalty until death. Love me forever.
And now? Three years. That's all it took. Every promise, every memory—shattered by her cold, calculated cruelty.
People always said live-in husbands had no dignity. The moment a younger, prettier face showed up, the free ride was over.
But Leila never understood. I didn't marry into her family for the Galloways' money. I did it because I loved her.
She pulled out a tissue and turned away, wiping the hand that had just struck me like she was cleaning off something dirty.
"You knew how much I cared about that assistant. But you just had to push."