Chapter 1 - The Glass Shatters on the Marble
The shattered crystal champagne flute sparkled like jagged diamonds across the black obsidian marble.
A crimson splash of vintage Pinot Noir stained the hem of Seraphina’s shimmering gold satin gown.
Two hundred pairs of eyes shifted from the raised orchestra dais toward the grand ballroom entrance where Damien and I stood.
I did not loosen my grip on Damien’s hand.
His warm, steady fingers tightened reassuringly around mine, sending a surge of calm through my veins.
Blake took three uncoordinated steps forward, his face draining of every drop of color until he looked like a ghost in his bespoke tuxedo.
“Audrey… what is the meaning of this sick joke?” Blake stammered, his voice trembling so violently the microphones near the lounge picked up his ragged breathing.
I offered a slow, deliberate smile that chilled the room more than the November wind howling outside.
“It’s not a joke, Blake,” I spoke clearly, my voice carrying across the silent, breathless hall.
“I simply thought it was appropriate for the true spouses to attend your corporate celebration together.”
Seraphina reached out to steady herself against a marble pillar, her manicured fingers clawing at the polished stone.
Her chest heaved beneath her gold gown, her flawless makeup cracking under sheer, suffocating panic.
“Damien…” Seraphina whispered, her voice cracking into a high-pitched whimper.
“Why are you holding her hand? You’re supposed to be in the trauma operating room at Mass General!”
Damien stepped forward, his tall, athletic frame casting a commanding shadow over his unfaithful wife.
His dark eyes, usually filled with the gentle warmth of a healer, were cold, unyielding, and completely detached.
“The surgery was rescheduled, Sera,” Damien said, each word landing like an iron hammer.
“Which gave me ample time to review the digital receipts from the Four Seasons in Miami.”
“And the penthouse suite you booked under my credit card in Cabo last month.”
A collective, horrified gasp rippled through the gathered board members, investors, and high-society socialites.
The whispers began instantly, spreading like wildfire across the ballroom as phones were raised to record the unfolding spectacle.
Blake lunged forward, trying to grab my bare arm to drag me toward the private elevator vestibule.
“Audrey, shut your mouth and come with me right now!” Blake hissed through clenched, grinding teeth.
Before his fingers could graze my skin, Damien stepped seamlessly between us, his broad shoulders blocking Blake completely.
Damien caught Blake’s wrist mid-air with an iron grip that made the executive wince in agony.
“Do not touch her,” Damien warned in a low, terrifying growl that froze Blake where he stood.
“You spent nine months touching what belonged to me; you will not lay a single finger on Audrey again.”
I stepped beside Damien, smoothing down the emerald silk of my custom gown, looking into my husband’s terrified eyes.
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“You wanted the board of directors to see a united front tonight, Blake,” I whispered softly into the quiet room.
“Now let’s make sure they see every single piece of who you really are.”
