Chapter 2

My body locked up for a heartbeat, my mind blank with shock.

But when Richard Lowell's fingers grazed toward me, my reflexes kicked in—I swatted his arm away and bolted from the kitchen like my life depended on it.

The living room revealed Daniel sprawled on the couch, snoring lightly like nothing was wrong.

Richard materialized in the doorway moments later, his expression sour. "Well, Emily," he said, adjusting his tie, "since you're... indisposed, we'll continue this conversation at the office tomorrow. About your husband's promotion, of course."

He paused at the door, flashing teeth that didn't reach his eyes. "Oh, and compliments to the chef. That pot roast was divine."

I managed a stiff nod, my goodbye wave trembling. The second the door clicked shut, I exhaled like I'd been punched.

Daniel groaned awake almost immediately. "Where's Richard?" he mumbled, rubbing his face.

My throat tightened. "Honey, that man—he's not who you think. His hands were all over—"

"Come on," Daniel scoffed, suddenly alert. "Every woman at the firm worships him. They have lunch dates, for Christ's sake."

The words shriveled in my mouth. I'd expected concern, maybe anger—not this blind defense.

Weeks passed with Daniel's promotion dangling like a carrot. Then came the confession over takeout: "It's Sophia Roland now," he admitted, pushing lo mein around his plate. "Rumor is she showed up at Richard's place with 'gifts' last night. Babe, if you just—"

"Absolutely not." My chopsticks clattered onto the table. That slimy smirk of Richard's haunted me.

Daniel caught my wrist. "This is our future. Double salary. Annual bonuses. Maybe even Bali?" His thumbs traced circles on my skin—the way he'd done during our courthouse wedding. "One dinner. One gift. That's all."

I should've held firm. But the bags under his eyes, the way his dress shirts hung looser these days...

"Fine," I whispered.

Two hours later, I stood shivering in the driveway—black miniskirt riding up, stockings snagging on my own doubts—wondering how delivering a bottle of Scotch turned into this.