Chapter 1

On our tenth wedding anniversary, I was going through travel plans when my husband's little secretary burst in.

"Ms. Donaldson, all I want is to freeze one embryo with Zion Barber. I'm not going to break up your family. Why won't you just agree?"

This was the sixth time Delia Simmons had stood in my living room and demanded an answer.

I didn't even lift my eyes, just kept looking down at the itinerary.

"Secretary Simmons, this is between you and Zion. You should be talking to him."

"As long as Zion signs the divorce papers, forget one embryo. I'll hand you the position of Mrs. Barber outright."

I patted the leather sofa beside me.

Delia went rigid with anger, and after a moment a flicker of contempt crossed her face.

"Ms. Donaldson, so what if you have Zion's body? You'll never have his heart."

"Want to bet? In ten minutes, I'll have your husband lying in my bed."

She turned and swept out with her chin high.

A minute later, a message came from Zion.

"Babe, I'm with a client tonight, probably won't make it back. Don't wait up."

1

Sure enough, on the night of our tenth anniversary, Zion never came home. It was full daylight by the time he returned.

He tugged his tie loose, worn out, and frowned.

"Last night's client was a real pain. I drank until I blacked out. My head still hurts."

Then he smiled, all fawning, and leaned against my shoulder.

"Babe, rub it for me, my head's killing me. Your husband did all this for our family, you know."

I turned my head, met the face that was inches from mine with a cold stare, and shoved him off me.

Ten years of marriage. I thought even a stone would have softened by now, warmed under me.

Now I finally understood. A man's first love, his untouchable ideal, is a problem with no solution.

I was done playing the patient one. I wasn't going to solve this problem anymore.

I set down my cup, swallowed the last mouthful of water.

"Zion, your little secretary came to me again. She wants you to give her a child."

I took the divorce agreement off the table and held it out to him.

"Sign it. Go pay off your little debt of gratitude yourself. I don't want to be tangled up in your mess anymore."

Zion froze, then grabbed me and pulled me into his arms, wearing that shameless grin.

"Babe, angry again?"

"I'm sorry, okay? It's my fault, I didn't keep her in line. I'll talk to her, I'll really lay it out for her, I promise she won't bother you again."

"We've still got a trip to enjoy. No being mad, all right?"

My phone chimed.

"Ms. Donaldson, that body wash on Zion is a new brand I switched him to. Do you like it?"

"Oh, and want to bet? Ten minutes, and your husband will be lying in my bed again."

The whole thing lodged in my chest. Sick to my stomach, I shoved Zion away.

"Zion, have you no shame at all? Your client was hanging off you in bed, was she?"

I jabbed the message right in front of his eyes and gave a cold laugh. "Zion, you really can't teach an old dog new tricks, can you?"

Zion glanced at the message, guilty, then bristled.

"Why do you have to talk like that? Who's a dog?"

"Delia's stomach was hurting yesterday. I looked after her. What's wrong with her cleaning up there?"

"Back then she took a knife for me. Her uterus was hurt, it's hard for her to conceive. Even if I do an embryo with her, isn't that just repaying what I owe?"

I let out a scornful laugh and finally stopped imagining any future.

"Zion, ten years. Whether it's gratitude or the two of you sleeping around, you know in your heart which it is."

"Let's get divorced."

Zion looked at the divorce agreement in front of him and his face changed.

He was about to snap at me when his phone rang.

On the other end came Delia's whimpering voice.

"Zion, my stomach's hurting again. Come quick, come see me."

Zion tensed up at once.

"Delia, don't panic, just lie down. I'll be there in ten minutes."

He snatched up his clothes and strode for the door.

I stepped in front of him at once.

"Zion, they've forecast a storm and a typhoon. Is Delia really that important?"

Thunder cracked outside. Zion shoved me aside, and the moment he stepped through the door, his voice came impatient.

"It's exactly because of the storm that I have to go. Delia's sick right now, she can't manage without me."

"The new project's about to break ground. Don't bring up divorce again. Don't ruin the deal between our two families."

The door slammed shut, and Delia's second message came in.

"Ms. Donaldson, still need proof of who Zion loves? Clinging to a man who doesn't love you. You're really pathetic."