Chapter 1

The cake slipped from my hands the moment Grant lowered his head and kissed Sabrina.

The box burst open when it hit the floor, splattering frosting across my shoes.

I grabbed the doorframe as a deafening buzz filled my ears.

Sabrina was perched barefoot on the kitchen island, her legs nearly wrapped around his waist, while one of his hands still cradled the back of her head.

"What..." I struggled to swallow. "What are you two doing?"

Grant jerked his hand away.

He glanced at the ruined cake and frowned, as if I were the one who had caused a problem.

"She was scared. I was comforting her."

"With your mouth?" My voice shot up.

Sabrina flinched and clutched the collar of her coat.

"Lena, it's not what you think," she said through her tears. "A pipe burst in my apartment. The whole place is flooded, and I can't stay there tonight. That's why Grant brought me here."

"So you ran to my house without your shoes and let my husband hold you?"

I started toward her.

Grant stepped in front of me, blocking my path.

I stopped short. "What are you doing? Grant, today is our wedding anniversary."

"You kissed her, and now you're protecting her. What, are you afraid I'll hit her?"

"Look at yourself!" He seized my wrist. "I already explained what happened."

His grip dug painfully into the bone.

I tried to pull free, but he wouldn't let go. "Get your hands off me!"

Sabrina slid down from the island and stumbled against him.

"Don't fight because of me. I'll just stay at a hotel."

She looked as though she might faint at any second.

Grant released me immediately and turned to steady her.

Red marks had already risen on my wrist.

"It's our third anniversary." I stared at his back, my chest aching so badly that I started to shake.

"You promised you'd be home by seven. I made your favorite steak. I even bought the wine you like."

"You came home two hours late, and then I walked in on this. What else am I supposed to think?"

Grant's shoulders stiffened.

Sabrina wiped away her tears. "Today is really your anniversary? Grant, why didn't you tell me?"

"That's enough." He cut her off, then looked at me with open irritation. "It's just dinner. We can have it another night."

"But you kissed her!" I screamed until my throat hurt, tears spilling from my eyes.

Grant's expression turned ice-cold. He made sure Sabrina was steady before speaking to me in a deliberately slow voice.

"What do you want from me? Should I get down on my knees and beg?"

"Lena, I married you because our families needed this alliance. That doesn't give you the right to control me just because you're my wife."

Sabrina lowered her head, but I caught the slight curve of her lips.

"Fine." I wiped away my tears, though my voice was still shaking. "Then get out. Both of you."

Grant looked offended. "This is my house."

He picked up Sabrina's shoes, then grabbed his coat.

"I'm taking her to a hotel. We'll talk when you've calmed down."

By the time he reached the door, Grant was already looking down at his phone to call a car.

Sabrina glanced back at me.

Then she smiled.

A smug, taunting smile.