His finger shook so badly it took three attempts to close the elevator doors.

Alone in the confined space, he rubbed his hands together.

Then he felt his wedding ring.

He caught at it like a drowning man finding a rope.

“Stella…”

He actually dared say my name.

“Stella, help me.”

He kissed the ring, calling for me with desperate helplessness.

Just as he always had.

Whenever he made a mess, I fixed it.

Whatever he wanted, however much trouble he caused, one soft “Stella, help me” had been enough.

I would take the blame.

Walk into hell for him.

Time was a terrible thing.

Nineteen years had taught him to expect me to solve everything.

The habit had sunk into his flesh and become instinct.

Even killing me hadn’t erased it.

I leaned toward his ear.

“I hope every day you have left feels like hell. And when you finally die, I’ll follow you there and tear you apart myself.”

The elevator chimed.

Julian stepped out like a man approaching an execution.

Before he reached the conference room, his phone sounded.

He looked down.

His gray face transformed.

Joy flooded it.

“Thank God. Just in time.”

I saw the message, too.

The eight point four billion had arrived.

I stared.

What was Lucian doing?

Had he changed his mind?

Had he decided the project could make money after all?

There were no permanent enemies in business, only permanent interests.

Was he joining forces with Julian?

My thoughts tangled.

I couldn’t understand that man.

A door opened beside us.

A woman’s hand shot out, caught Julian, and dragged him inside.

I put my head through the doorway.

Anna Mercer.

My secretary.

The woman who had slept with my husband in my wedding bed.

A diamond-studded serpent bracelet circled her wrist.

A luxury piece worth well over a hundred thousand dollars.

I had once found its receipt in Julian’s jacket pocket.

I thought he had bought it for me.

When the gift never appeared, I asked him.

He calmly said he hadn’t bought a bracelet. A friend had borrowed his jacket and must have left the receipt inside.

He said it.

I believed it.

Now I knew who the gift had been for.

Apparently, in hiring a secretary, I had also hired a very expensive prostitute.

“What are you doing here?” Julian asked.

Disgust flashed in his eyes.

He was tired of her.

Anna’s eyes reddened.

“Why haven’t you answered my calls or messages? You promised. If I did what you said and kept an eye on Stella, you’d marry me when you became CEO. That’s happening today. Don’t think you can throw me away.”

Sometimes a person was so absurd all you could do was laugh.

I no longer hated Anna.

I wasn’t even angry.

She was simply pathetic.

Still dreaming of becoming the CEO’s wife.

Julian apparently found it funny, too.

He caught her wrist and pointed at the bracelet.

“Haven’t I given you enough? Even if your pussy were paved with diamonds, it wouldn’t be worth that much.”

The gentleman vanished completely.

Anna bit her lip. Tears filled her eyes.

“What if I go out there and tell everyone? You’re not some devoted husband. You were sleeping with me behind Stella’s back.”

“Prove it.”

He moved closer and gripped her face.

“You have nothing on me. But there’s a history of mental illness in your family. I could have you locked in a psychiatric hospital for the rest of your life.”

She was nowhere near his level.

Then came the reward after the threat.

“Be good. This is an important day. Don’t spoil it. If you behave, we might still have a future.”

He turned to leave.

“I’m pregnant.”

He stopped.

The door had opened an inch.

He closed it again.

His suspicious gaze dropped to her stomach.

“How? You took the pill every time.”

Anna looked guilty.

“I… forgot once.”

Her plan was obvious.

She wanted to use a baby to secure her place.

If I hadn’t died, she would probably have come to me instead, crying as she revealed the pregnancy.

For a moment, I felt almost fortunate.

At least I had learned the truth about Julian without having to face his pregnant mistress.

At least he couldn’t break my heart again.

Afraid he wouldn’t believe her, Anna pulled a medical report from her bag.

“The doctor says it’s been a month. You know you’re the only man I’ve been with. The timing matches that day at your new villa. In your bed.”

A blush crept over her face, as though she was enjoying the memory.

“Julian, you were incredible that day.”

I covered my ears.

He looked at the report.

For an instant, naked murderous intent crossed his eyes.

I saw it.

When he looked up, his face was full of joy.

“Take care of yourself. In a few months, once the pregnancy is further along, we’ll do a paternity test.”

He took her hand tenderly.

“If the baby is mine, I’ll take responsibility.”

He kissed her fingers and gazed at her as though she were the only woman in the world.

I knew that look.

It had melted me countless times.

Now it made me sick.

“My parents have been longing for a grandchild. If they know you’re pregnant, they’ll probably agree to the marriage. As for Stella…”

“I know.”

Anna leaned closer.

“She’s never coming back.”

He went still.

She whispered into his ear.

“I know what you did.”

I froze.

Did she know he had killed me?

Julian was too cunning to answer that.

He soothed her a little longer, then told her to wait downstairs. Someone would collect her and take her somewhere comfortable to spend her pregnancy.

When he turned away, murder filled his eyes.

I looked at Anna with something close to pity.

I didn’t know what evidence she had.

But she was stroking her stomach, happily imagining her future as his wife.

She had no idea death might be on its way.