I'd nearly killed myself for Delgado Group these past few years. The most grueling projects, the most impossible clients, the most cutthroat negotiations—I'd brought in hundreds of millions for him, at minimum. Dustin knew my value better than anyone. There was no way he'd let me resign.

And the marriage?

I'd once been intoxicated by his ferocious possessiveness. He'd get jealous if I so much as glanced at another man. He'd pull me into his arms and growl, "You're mine. Only mine." But when he stopped loving, he'd sooner shred what he no longer wanted than allow it to slip from his grasp on its own.

So I wasn't sure he'd agree to a divorce.

As I held the stack of papers out to him, my fingertips trembled—terrified he might actually flip through and read every page.

### Chapter 3

"Tell her to get out already!" Alice shrieked, her eyes bloodshot as she thrashed against him. She was naked, clinging to my equally bare husband, right in front of me.

The impact of that image defied words.

I dug my nails into my palms until the pain pushed back the wave of nausea. I had no doubt that one more second and I'd vomit all over them and that revolting pink waterbed.

Fortunately, Alice's frantic urging meant Dustin didn't so much as glance at the documents.

His pen slashed across every signature line, fast and careless, like he was swatting away a fly. Then he lifted his head and fixed me with a look that said get out. Now.

I didn't linger. I grabbed the papers, turned on my heel, and slammed the door behind me.

The bang echoed down the hallway like a declaration—three years of marriage, shattered beyond repair.

I made it to the top of the stairs before my legs gave out. I slid to the floor, curled against the wall, and crumpled into myself. A bitter laugh escaped, tangled with tears I couldn't stop and blood that hadn't yet dried.

A long time passed before I wiped the mess of blood and tears from my face and forced myself upright.

"Cecily."

I turned. Dustin had followed me out. He'd thrown on loungewear, but it did nothing to hide the angry red marks across his chest—hickeys and scratch lines, vivid as accusations.

I thought he might say something. Ask about the documents. Ask whether the gash on my face needed tending.

"Don't come in unannounced again. It upsets Alice."

That was all. A cold warning. A dismissal.