Chapter 1

When I was blindfolded and tied to a chair, the first thing that popped into my mind was the argument I'd had with Finley Duncan that morning.

"You're seriously wearing that to the office?" he asked, standing at the doorway of our walk-in closet, his eyes sweeping disapprovingly over my tailored suit.

"It's standard business attire," I said, fastening the last button of my blazer without even looking at him.

"The neckline's too low." He strode over and tugged at my collar. "Megan would never..."

"Then go marry Megan," I snapped, grabbed my briefcase, and walked out.

Looking back now, I should've known that was a prophecy.

A gruff voice jerked me out of my thoughts. "You're awake."

The blindfold was yanked off, and harsh light made me squint. When my eyes adjusted, I realized I was in some kind of abandoned warehouse. Across from me, Megan Burns sat tied to a chair as well, her face pale and streaked with tears, playing the damsel to perfection.

"Who are you? What do you want?" I asked, trying to sound steadier than I felt.

The man didn't respond. Instead, he pulled out a phone and made a video call. My heart skipped a beat when Finley's face appeared on the screen.

"Bianca? Megan? Are you alright?" His voice trembled with panic.

"Finley..." Megan immediately burst into tears. "I'm so scared..."

The kidnapper spoke coldly. "Mr. Duncan, the rules are simple. You can only save one of them. You have three minutes to decide."

Finley froze. My stomach twisted.

"I'll pay you whatever you want," he pleaded.

"Two and a half minutes left," the man said, unmoved.

Finley's gaze darted between me and Megan. And for the first time, I saw something disturbingly real in his eyes—hesitation.

"Bianca..." He spoke slowly, as if every word hurt. "Megan is innocent in all of this. I can't let her suffer for our issues. You're my wife, and I'll always love you, no matter what you become."

Time stopped.

"If you pick her, there will be no 'us,'" I said, my voice calm and icy.

Finley closed his eyes in agony. "I'm sorry... I choose Megan."

The kidnapper laughed harshly and walked toward Megan. My vision blurred, not from tears, but from a sudden, jarring clarity.

"Bianca, I'll come for you. I swear..." Finley's voice cut off as the call ended.

Alone in the warehouse, I felt calm. Finley's choice was like a scalpel slicing clean through the facade of our marriage, revealing the rot underneath.

I began to assess my surroundings. The ropes weren't tight. They were clearly amateurs. I could move my wrists slightly and began feeling around for anything sharp enough to cut the bindings.

Three hours later, when the police finally broke in, I was already free. Leading the team was Bowen Estrada—an old friend from college.

"Bianca! Are you right?" he rushed over.

"I'm fine," I said, brushing the dust from my suit as I stood. "Where's Finley?"

Bowen's face shifted. "He's at the hospital. With Megan. She's being checked out."

I smiled. Something in that smile made him pause.

"Take me home. I need a shower... and to take care of a few things."

When we got back, Finley was pacing in the living room. The moment he saw me, he rushed forward to embrace me, but I stepped aside.

"Bianca, thank God you're fine. I was just about to..."

"I want a divorce." My voice was steady, unnervingly so.

He froze. "What?"

"I said, I want a divorce." I headed to the bedroom and began packing my essentials. "My lawyer will contact you tomorrow."

He grabbed my wrist. "You're mad about what happened today? Bianca, I didn't have a choice. Megan's fragile, and you're so strong."

I yanked my arm back. "So my strength justifies you hurting me? Finley, we're done."

His expression twisted with disbelief. "You're ending our marriage over one decision? Don't be ridiculous."

I stopped, turned to look at him. "Not just one. From the day we got married, there was always a place in your heart reserved for her. Today just made it impossible to ignore."

He opened his mouth, but no words came out. I wheeled my suitcase to the door. He didn't follow, probably thinking I was just venting, and I'd come back in a few days.

But he was wrong. My love for him died the moment he chose Megan, the woman who once loved him with everything she had.