Six years ago, Hubert had thrown me a wedding so lavish it made international headlines.
Under a thousand spotlights, he'd dropped to one knee, his gaze burning with sincerity, and made me a promise: "Vinnie, from the moment I first saw you in high school, I knew you were the only one for me. From this day forward, I will treasure you above all else. I will never betray you."
But beautiful things never last. Four years into the marriage, I walked in on him and his secretary in a compromising situation. I stormed into his office demanding answers, and she accused me of assaulting her.
Hubert slapped me across the face without a word. Ten years together, and that was the first time he'd ever raised a hand to me. Over another woman.
The shrill ring of my phone cut through the memory. I steadied myself and answered.
"Lavinia, I underestimated you. I thought you genuinely didn't care, but it was all an act. You have fifteen minutes to get to the hospital and apologize to Clarissa Nolan. Otherwise... you won't like the consequences."
He hung up before I could get a single word in.
Not half a sentence. He wouldn't hear it.