Chapter 1

"Design a ring for me. Plain band, with tiny diamonds, in the Stars design. Lilianna has slender fingers, so make it half a size smaller," Elliot Harris said.

His voice was as cold as the man himself.

He had just finished his shower, his hair still dripping, beads of water trailing down his neck and disappearing into his bathrobe.

I was hunched over my desk revising a draft and didn't even look up.

"My schedule's full," I said.

That wasn't a lie. I might carry the title of Mrs. Harris, but in reality, I was just the most invisible and most indispensable chief designer in Elliot's company. More than half of his bestsellers were born in this very study.

"Clear it," Elliot said, his tone leaving no room for argument. He plucked the stylus from my hand—not hard, but invasive enough to irritate. "This one's urgent."

Only then did I lift my head to look at him.

He was leaning against the desk, carrying the scent of my usual body wash, but none of the warmth that belonged to me.

"How urgent?" I asked. "Urgent enough for a proposal?"

Elliot frowned, clearly not a fan of my barbed tone. After three years of marriage, he was used to me always being quiet, compliant, and never questioning him.

"Her birthday is next week." He sidestepped the question and slid a card across the table. "Double your usual fee."

That was Elliot.

He always tried to fix everything with money—even us. Sliding me his signature black card was, in his mind, the highest form of respect he could offer.

I stared at the black card and almost laughed.

Three years ago, we got married. No wedding. No guests. Just a signature on a piece of paper. On the day we registered it, he slipped out of a meeting halfway through. The whole thing took less than thirty minutes.

*****

I designed the ring myself. It was a plain band, with tiny diamonds spelling out his initials.

Elliot glanced at it, said nothing, and slipped it on.

Later, I realized he didn't actually like it.

It was just like when he married me. It wasn't for love.

It was simply because he'd reached that age, and I happened to be a "suitable" choice in every way: from a respectable background, quiet by nature, and not someone who would cause him any trouble.

Most importantly, I could create value for his company.

"I'm booked solid," I said.

What was this supposed to be?

Was he trying to humiliate me? Or did he just not care about my feelings at all? Probably the latter.

In his world, I was just like any piece of furniture in this study—useful, but without feelings.

"Alright." I nodded, looking away. "Send me the specifics—size, finger measurements, and what kind of gemstone material she likes."

Elliot looked a bit taken aback by how quickly I agreed. He hesitated, his voice losing some of its edge.

"Appreciate it," he said and then turned to go.

"Wait," I called after him.

He turned back, his eyes showing obvious impatience, like every extra word from me was eating into his precious time.

Taking my time, I slipped off the wedding ring I'd worn for three years from my ring finger.

The inside of the ring was still warm from my skin.

I set it down next to the black card and pushed them both toward him.

"Here," I said, keeping my voice cool. "Mind throwing this out for me, Mr. Harris?"

Elliot's face turned sullen in that instant.

I knew I'd just stepped right into his danger zone. Elliot was a total control freak. He might not care about me, but I was expected to stay obediently inside the lines he drew.

Any challenge to his authority would piss him off.

And clearly, tossing away the wedding ring was a direct provocation in his eyes.

He didn't say a word, just stared at me like I was some irrational lunatic making a scene.

I met his gaze, feeling ice cold inside.

I knew it all. I knew exactly how he'd react, exactly what he'd think. Three years of marriage had made me the stranger who understood him better than anyone.

"Maggie Holt," he finally spoke, using my full name—a clear sign he was pissed. "What drama are you causing now?"

"I'm not causing anything," I said, forcing a smile. "Just feels unnecessary to wear it. You never cared anyway."

The air froze.

All that was left in the study was the annoying whir of my laptop fan, buzzing loud enough to get on my nerves.

Finally, he picked up the ring without even looking at it, and shoved it into his pocket like it was nothing but a piece of garbage.

Then he turned and walked out, not saying another word.