Chapter 3

In that moment Scott felt like a stranger, and it ached.

His expression, his voice, even the way he moved—I knew all of it so well.

And yet I could see it plainly, the distance between us that could never be closed.

"Scott, who exactly is stirring up trouble here?"

My body was trembling as I said it, low.

"Don't you know how clumsy your lie is?"

"Miss Finch."

Samantha called my name, taking her time.

She stayed seated where she was, arms folded across her chest, not a flicker of guilt on her face.

"The text was from me, yes."

"I hear you've been Mrs. Gilbert for ten years now. But in all those ten years, how much have you actually helped him?"

"From what I understand, your world runs from your café and back, and the only person you socialize with is this Miss Floyd."

At that, Samantha rose slowly and crossed to stand in front of Scott.

"Now, I'm different."

The next moment she slid her hand around Scott's arm.

"With Henson Industries behind it, Gilbert Investments will move beyond Riverton and reach the international stage."

"You've shared a bed with him for ten years. But do you really know him?"

I kept my eyes fixed on Scott, waiting for him to step up and deny it.

"Miss Henson and I are business partners."

His explanation fooled no one, and yet he delivered it as though it were the most natural thing in the world.

"As my wife, you were always meant to carry more pressure than other women."

"For ten years I've stood out there shielding you from the wind and rain, never letting you suffer the slightest grievance."

"Everything I've said—it's true, isn't it?"

"You're shameless!"

Myra lost her composure and swore.

"Do you even hear yourself? Without Kay, would you be where you are today?"

"Because of one word from you, Kay quit her job at the school—"

I quickly pulled her back.

Facing Myra's confusion, I shook my head.

"There's no point saying any of this to him."

I raised my hand and pointed at the necklace at Samantha's throat.

"The Sky-Blue Heart. The wedding gift you once gave me. A one-of-a-kind piece, limited worldwide."

"Scott, tell me. Why is it here?"

In the best years of my life, Scott had come crashing into it.

He'd chased me relentlessly, and then he'd put up every asset the company had to win that Sky-Blue Heart at auction.

In his own words back then,

"This is everything I have to give."

All those sweet memories turned into silent blades now, driving into my chest.

"After we married, I told you to put it up as collateral. What did you say to me then?"

"You swore over and over that the moment the company recovered, the first thing you'd do was buy this necklace back."

He had bought it back, all right. And then he'd given it to another woman.

"Lovely story. Lovely scheming. Lovely little tricks."

Samantha praised it three times over, admiration all over her face.

"No wonder you held onto the Mrs. Gilbert seat this long. But there's one thing you've got wrong."

"I think I owe it to you to point this out. The Sky-Blue Heart is limited worldwide, yes—but not to one. To a thousand."

"If you had a little more experience of the world, you'd never have made such an absurd mistake."

Scott opened his mouth to speak, and Samantha lifted her hand and pressed it to his lips.

"Leave it to me, all right?"

He hesitated a moment, then nodded.

I gripped Myra's hand tight and watched Samantha come around in front of the two of us, circling us once.

"Your level works on other people. On me, it's nothing worth mentioning."

"Let me give you a piece of advice, straight from the heart."

Her eyes were full of sincerity.

"Divorce Scott on your own, and I'll see that you get the wealth and the standing you deserve."

"And you get to keep your face while you're at it."