I stood before the mirror, fingers trembling slightly as I fastened the last button of the lacy blouse.

The face looking back at me was perfectly made up, but no amount of makeup could hide the exhaustion in my eyes.

Reuben had picked this outfit deliberately. The neckline plunged too low, and the skirt barely skimmed my thighs.

"Lissy, you're gorgeous."

His arms circled my waist from behind, his chin settling on my shoulder. The familiar scent of his cologne drifted over me—the same one I'd given him for our anniversary.

I eased out of his grip and reached for my blazer.

The woman in the mirror now looked crisp and composed, as if the temptress from seconds before had been nothing but a fleeting illusion.

"I'm leaving."

I grabbed my bag and strode out of the bedroom before Reuben could react.

He rushed after me, grabbing the suitcase from my grip. "I'll drive you to the airport."

Trailing behind him, I watched his cheerful, bouncing steps, each like a stone sinking deeper into my chest.

Was he seriously this thrilled to ship me off with another man? Of course not. His excitement was for the project he was close to landing.

As Spencer Joplin's executive secretary, I'd gone with him to a business dinner to lock down a project. Reuben hadn't been able to stop thinking about it since.

I didn't look back, but I could feel his gaze on me all the way through security.

I drew a deep breath and walked into the airport terminal, my heels clicking against the floor. I turned the corner and spotted Spencer heading my way with two coffee cups in hand.

His eyes lingered just a second too long, his lips curving into the faintest hint of a smile. "Ms. Thorne, you look… different today."

Instinctively, I tugged at the hem of my blazer and forced a polite smile. "Hello, Mr. Joplin."

Spencer nodded slightly and held out one of the coffees to me. However, his attention remained on my open collar, as if he could see the revealing neckline beneath.

I shifted uncomfortably under his gaze and covered my collar. When I glanced back up, he'd turned away, a handkerchief now in his hand.

Relieved, I picked up my pace, wheeling my suitcase behind me as I closed the distance between us.

The plane took off and landed in Arelton, but I couldn't stop thinking about what Reuben had said—how he'd asked me to drink for Spencer.

"Ms. Thorne."

The voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I looked up to see Spencer, who was already holding my suitcase, his other hand offering me an ID card.

"We're at the hotel," he said, tilting toward me. "Go check in."

The trip was so last-minute that I'd only managed to book Spencer's room beforehand. Now I had to handle his check-in and get a room for myself.

"Sorry, ma'am, but we're completely booked," the receptionist told me.

I turned to Spencer, ready to say I'd find a different hotel, when he murmured, "You could just stay with me."

I stared at him, completely stunned. That was the last thing I ever expected him to say.

Sure, Spencer had dropped hints about wanting something more between us. Yet, once he learned I was married to Reuben, he backed off and kept things respectful, let alone making inappropriate demands.

So, when Reuben claimed Spencer had specifically asked me to join him on this trip and drink for him, I didn't believe it for a second.

Spencer wasn't the type to throw his weight around like that, especially not with women.

"The suite has two bedrooms," he added, keeping his tone casual even though his ears were turning slightly pink.

My face burned, but I nodded anyway.

I followed Spencer into the elevator. The confined space carried a faint trace of his cedarwood scent.

Instinct pulled me toward the corner, but then I heard him laugh under his breath. "Relax, Ms. Thorne. You don't have to stand so stiffly."

I ignored the comment and kept my distance. As soon as we got in, I made a beeline for my room to unpack.

When I came back out, Spencer was already on the couch, two files in hand. He passed me the first one. "Ms. Thorne, this trip is mainly about securing a new project."

After a pause, he added, "The other thing… I did some digging on Reuben. He isn't good enough for you."

I snapped my head up and held his gaze, my voice firm. "Reuben and I have a strong relationship, Mr. Joplin."

"Oh really?" He sank deeper into the couch, his face unreadable. "How about we make a bet?"

My fingers dug into the papers I was holding.

"I bet," Spencer said, dragging out the words. "Reuben will send you to my bed himself."

I bit my lip, saying nothing, but a sick dread settled in my chest.

For those two weeks on the trip, Spencer kept a careful distance. We shared a suite, but he never stepped out of line, not even by accident.

He held doors open for me, fended off pushy drink offers at dinners, and the second a client talked down to me? He dropped them without hesitation.

…

On the flight home, I was slumped in my airplane seat when Spencer handed me a cup of water.

"You must be exhausted," he said.

I took it and saw a text from Reuben on my phone. "How was the trip, honey? I reserved a table at the restaurant where we celebrated our anniversary to welcome you home."

I thought he might still care about me.

I went directly to the restaurant from the airport, only to find out he'd already gone. A wave of confusion washed over me. My mind started racing.

Had something happened? Was he sick? Or had work pulled him away?

My heart lodged in my throat, but I swallowed hard and steadied myself. I pulled up the family tracker and saw him at some bar.

When I walked in, Reuben was face-down on the table, barely conscious. "Sweetheart?"

I hauled him upright and patted his cheek gently.

His eyes cracked open, glassy and slow, and the second they landed on me, he threw his arms around me. "Lissy, I'm finished!"

Every slurred word that followed felt like another weight dragging me under.

Reuben didn't bother with background checks for his project and immediately sent the 30% deposit straight through. Next thing he knew, five million dollars had vanished.

The sum might as well have been a billion for all it mattered to us. With the house and car loans still unpaid, liquidating everything we had wouldn't scrape together two million dollars.

"We need to call the police," I said.

"No!" He gripped my shoulders, his voice raw with panic. "I'm ruined if the police get involved—my career, my name, all of it! Lissy, please, you're the only one who can fix this."

His bloodshot eyes were so full of desperation that it gave me chills.

"Mr. Joplin will definitely help me with the money if you spend the night with him."

I slapped him, hard enough to be heard over the noise in the bar. My hand was shaking as I lowered it, and I looked at Reuben like I didn't even recognize him.

"Reuben, have you lost your damn mind?" My voice wavered. "I'm your wife!"

He sank to his knees and clutched my legs. "Lissy, please. I'm begging you. Just this once."

I closed my eyes, tears spilling down my cheeks.

Then, Spencer's voice came back to me. "I bet Reuben will send you to my bed himself."

I pushed Reuben's hands off, but he seized my legs again, tears streaking his face. His voice came out in a frantic, breathless rush. "It's only once, Lissy. Mr. Joplin swore he wouldn't do anything to you. Please."

I took a moment to steady myself, my head still spinning from the rush of emotions.

I drew a deep breath and reminded myself that Reuben was just shaken by everything that had happened. Once he sobered up, he'd stop being irrational, and we could work things out.

Even though my heart had gone cold, I still chose to fool myself.

I forced my voice to stay even, speaking slower than usual. "Reuben, I can't do this. I'm not some bargaining chip for you to play with. Think about what you're saying."

Then, I pried his hands off me and stood up.

Reuben just sat there, staring blankly, mumbling something under his breath. I ignored him and headed for the door.

I was about to leave the bar when he caught up and took my hand, guilt written all over his face.

"Honey, I was way out of line back there. I wasn't thinking straight. We haven't been to a bar together since the wedding. Why don't we just stay and unwind a little?"

He looked at me with eyes full of pleading, like a sad puppy.

I stood still, silently looking at him.

Reuben quickly added, "I won't bring up you entertaining Mr. Joplin again, I promise."

The weight in my chest eased at his words. The fact that he figured it out on his own was the best outcome.

I walked back with him to our seats and took his hand. "I'm glad you changed your mind. Tomorrow morning, we'll go straight to the police. Then, we'll play it by ear with the company. Worst case scenario, we walk away and start something of our own."

"Okay, honey, I'll follow your lead. Here, try this cocktail. It tastes amazing—sweet with a little tang, just how you like."

I didn't hesitate before taking the glass and sipping. "Thanks, sweetheart."

But the second it touched my tongue, I could tell something was off. It tasted sweet and sour, but with a faint bitter edge.

I barely even moved when a sudden wave of dizziness hit me.

I shook my head, trying to clear the fog, and grabbed Reuben's sleeve. "Sweetheart, my head… Why do I suddenly feel so dizzy?"

"I'm sorry, Lissy. Just one last time, okay? After this, I swear I'll never put you through something like this again. I've fought too hard for too long. I can't lose this job now."

Reuben's eyes were slightly red, filled with desperation. He had this all planned from the start.

I could feel my body slipping out of my control. I collapsed against the table, struggling to breathe. "What did you put in my drink?"

Reuben leaned in beside me with a look of pity, brushing the loose strands of hair behind my ear. "Relax, Lissy. It's just some aphrodisiac. You'll be fine by morning."

I swung weakly at him. "Reuben, you psycho! I'm your wife!"

He scooped me up and carried me out of the bar. "It's because you're my wife that this hurts so much. I don't have a choice, Lissy. Please forgive me."

I closed my eyes, unable to stomach the sight of him anymore. My body lost all control, flooded with bitterness and a storm of emotions. My tears fell freely.

I'd done everything he asked, even when he made me go on that business trip with Spencer and drink with clients.

But this? Reuben went too far. He'd broken my heart for good.

The idea of divorce crossed my mind.

Reuben led me out and brought me to a hotel. He stripped off my clothes until I lay there exposed on the bed. "Make sure Mr. Joplin is well taken care of tonight, Lissy. I'll pick you up in the morning."

As soon as Reuben was gone, Spencer stepped inside. He approached the bed, and the same hands that had once handed me water were now undoing the buttons on his shirt.

"So, you ended up in my bed after all."