Chapter 1

Georgina Phelps was five years older than Zachary Kane.

The first time they met, he'd been drugged. She saved him, then took him home.

Ten years later, he had become the most powerful man in Krehull City and she was his wife.

On their fifth wedding anniversary, she received word that he'd been kidnapped.

Georgina rushed out with nearly a hundred armed men, ready to rescue her husband.

But when she found Zachary, he was in a church, with a young woman pinned under him.

"Zachary," the woman giggled, "do you like me or Georgina more?"

He smirked. "That old woman can't compare to you."

Georgina smiled. It seemed Zachary had forgotten that she was never a frail woman who depended on a man.

Instead, she was someone who once controlled half of Krehull City.

*****

Zachary Kane and Georgina Phelps were the most envied couple in all of Krehull City.

For their fifth wedding anniversary, Georgina booked out the Cline Building, the largest Michelin-starred restaurant in Krehull City.

On the top floor, the sparkling nightscape of Krehull City sprawled beneath them. Tables stretched across the room already laden with food.

She waited and waited, but Zachary never came. What she received was the shocking news of his kidnapping.

The message read: [Turns out Mr. Kane isn't that big of a deal.

[If you want him alive, show up at this place in half an hour.]

It even included a picture of Zachary tied to a chair, beaten and bloodied.

Georgina didn't hesitate for a second. She grabbed her weapon, rallied the men Zachary had left behind to protect her, and set out to rescue him.

Along the way, they were ambushed, and several of the men died before they got there.

Georgina battled her way through, her white dress stained with splashes of blood. Finally, she made it just before the appointed time.

She was even ten minutes early.

Georgina rushed up to the church door, only to catch the sound of moans and whispered voices coming from inside.

Peeking through the gap in the doors, Georgina's eyes went wide.

Zachary was clutching a young woman's waist, their clothes in disarray. The whole church was a mess. It was obvious what they'd been doing.

"Mr. Kane, don't. Not here. Doing this in a church is just so wrong, so disrespectful," the woman protested.

Zachary coaxed her softly, "There's no time to go anywhere else. Shelby, Georgina will be here in ten minutes."

Shelby Dillon gasped for breath, moaning. "Mr. Kane, maybe we should just drop our bet?"

Zachary gave a soft chuckle. "Shelby, you were the one who suggested the bet. Are you scared to lose?"

"But Mrs. Kane is your wife. I..."

Zachary scoffed, cutting her off. "She's just some old woman—she doesn't even come close to you in my eyes."

A single tear slid down Georgina's face, a stab of pain shooting through her heart.

She was five years older than Zachary. The first time they crossed paths, his enemies were out for his blood and he'd been drugged.

She gave herself to him that night, using her own body to save his life.

Georgina then took him home, nursing him back to health.

Later, he said he was a man and he'd got to make his mark on the world.

Georgina didn't hesitate—she had his back through thick and thin, taking on every fight at his side. Together, they fought and clawed their way to ruling half of Krehull City.

He rose straight to the top, becoming the city's most powerful boss. Everyone in Krehull respected him.

When he finally reached the pinnacle, he gave her a wedding so grand and romantic it made headlines, swearing a lifetime of devotion.

But five years after the wedding, he broke that promise.

Zachary and Shelby were already separated inside the church.

Zachary adjusted his clothes, sitting properly before the altar, composed as if the intimacy just now hadn't happened.

Shelby stood to the side, her back to Georgina, dressed in a plain white dress She began to count down. "Three. Two."

Georgina took a deep breath and glanced down at the blood-stained blade in her hand.

Then came Shelby's final countdown. "One!"

With a loud bang, Georgina slammed her boot into the door, kicking it open.

In an instant, every eye was locked on her.

Georgina didn't pay any attention to the gleeful, cocky look Zachary shot her. Instead, she strode right over and pinned Shelby down in one swift move.

"Mrs. Kane, did you make a mistake? Why are you doing this to me?" Shelby's voice quavered.

Georgina pressed her blade to Shelby's throat. "You're the one who kidnapped my man. Tell me, who should I kill if not you?"

Shelby burst into tears, panicking as she pleaded with Zachary, "Mr. Kane, save me, please. It's wrong to murder in a church."

Zachary strolled over, reaching out to raise the knife at Shelby's throat. He said to Georgina, "Come on, babe, let it go. Quit making a fuss."

"Zachary..." Georgina's voice was shaking. "When did you start your affair with her?"

Zachary froze for a moment, then burst out laughing.

His eyes, those charming, bright eyes, were exactly like the first time she'd seen him ten years ago—clear and seductive as ever.

He said, "Since you know now, I won't bother hiding it anymore."

Zachary's tone was lazy as he said slowly, "Look closely at her face. Honestly, what could I do? I can't help myself."

Georgina looked down and locked eyes with Shelby.

It was uncanny—Shelby was a dead ringer for Georgina at eighteen.