When my husband fell seriously ill, I finally had a reason to step into his office after seven years of marriage. All I wanted was to ask for his sick leave. Instead, the receptionist froze, eyes widening as she studied my face. “The man you’re talking about… he owns this company. Our boss and his wife arrive and leave together every day. Unless… you’re not his wife.” In that second, my world cracked open.

The diamond necklace around her throat—my necklace in every way that mattered—caught the light every time she moved her head. It spilled over her collarbones in a cascade of ice.

A murmur rose around me as people began to notice my presence. Some looked curious, some uncomfortable, some delighted in that quiet way people do when they smell drama in the air.

I met Steven’s eyes from across the room.

His smile vanished mid-sentence. The color drained from his face so fast I almost worried he’d faint.

“Sunny,” he hissed under his breath when I reached them. His hand shot out for my elbow, his fingers biting into the fabric of my dress. “What the hell are you doing here? You look ridiculous. Go home.”

“Hello, Steven,” I said, my voice pitched just loud enough that the people nearest us could hear. “Hello, Genevieve.”

She blinked, clearly not expecting me to sound so composed.

“I just came to see the necklace,” I added, tilting my head. “It really is beautiful.”

Genevieve’s lips curved in a smirk, relief flickering across her features as she slipped back into the role she liked best.