"Mrs. Hermione, are you okay?"

I sniff, my throat burning.

"I'm not a Mrs anymore, Hunter," I whisper, forcing myself to look at him even though I feel like collapsing right here.

His grey eyes widen. "Damn!..." He exclaims, pressing a hand through his black hair.

His grey eyes still on me like he wants to say something but nothing comes out.

"Can you... can you just drive?" My voice shakes.

"Okay," he replies quickly. He bends to lift my box, places it inside the car, then opens the door for me.

"Please," he says, gesturing.

"Thanks...Hunter."

I slide into the seat, my body feeling heavy, my chest tighter than it has ever been.

He starts the engine, and slowly, we roll forward.

I look back, the mansion grows smaller as we move down the streets, I can't stop staring at it.

Every memory I had in those walls. The kisses, the laughs, every touch, they all want to tear me in pieces.

Hot tears spill again before I can stop them.

"What did I do to you, Adam? What did I do to deserve this?"

I keep staring until the house finally disappears, and it feels like a knife twists inside my heart.

I wipe my face, but the tears don't stop. I cover my mouth with my hand, trying to keep the sounds down.

I don't want to disturb Hunter. I don't want him to see me breaking apart.

But it bursts out anyway. My shoulders shake, and my body follows.

From time to time, I catch his eyes flicking to me through the mirror, shame overwhelms me.

"I'm sorry, Hunter," I cry out suddenly, my voice breaking. "I'm really, really sorry."

"Please Mrs... sorry, Hermione," he says gently, correcting himself.

"Don't apologize to me." His voice is calm. Like he wants to steady me.

I shake my head, pressing both hands to my lap. "I just don't know what I did. I wish someone could just tell me something, anything to hold on to."

He takes a slow breath. "I don't know what you did, Hermione. But all I know is... you loved him. And that's one of the rarest things a man could ever get nowadays."

I sniff hard and wipe my nose with the rough prison fabric still on me.

My chest aches, but I turn my face to the window, exhaustion dragging me under as I watch the blur of lights and trees, till everything suddenly blanks out.

~~~

I wake up when I hear Hunter's voice. "We're here," he says.

I lift my head from the window glass, my neck is stiff and aches, like I've been sleeping for hours.

"We're... where?" My voice cracks beyond recognition.

"Well... let me show you."

He hops down from the car, walks around, and opens the door for me.

"Thanks, Hunter."

He nods, quietly, and I step out.

The soft air brushes my face. Then I see the sea, stretching wide, the waves dancing slowly.

My chest loosens just a little as I take the deepest breath in a very long time.

"It's so beautiful, Hunter," I say, the first real smile pulling at my face since... I don't even know.

"How did you know about this place?"

He runs a hand through his black hair, his arm muscles flexing with the movement. "It's mine," he says simply.

My eyes widen. "Yours?"

He looks at the water, his voice low. "I come here when... thoughts are too heavy...you know? Helps me breathe again."

I turn back to the sea and let the air fill me. For a second, it almost feels like I can breathe.

"I knew you weren't just a regular cabbie," I say.

There's been something about him since the moment he picked me up. His voice, the way he carries himself. Not like someone used to being ordered around.

"Well," he cuts me off gently, "let's not talk about me."

He pauses, then gestures awkwardly. "I've got a cozy rental space where you can stay, for as long as you want... I don't know, I just... I don't want you crying like that again."

I shake my head. "It's alright, Hunter, you don't have to do that."

"Anything you need, just name it," he insists. His voice is steady but softer now.

"I can't give you much right now, but... I do know this. You're a good person, Hermione."

My throat aches as I smile at him. I don't even know why it stings to hear those words, maybe because I wanted it to be Adam saying those words to me.

"Thank you so much."

I clear my throat. "How about you tell me about yourself instead?"

He lets out a shaky laugh, revealing his perfectly aligned teeth "About myself?" He asks.

"Yeah. You've already seen my worst moments. Prison, divorce, me wiping my snort with my sleeve in your car."

We both make disgusting expressions at each other. I couldn't help it after all. I need to get somewhere and clean up ASAP.

"Well... my dad landed in a coma two months ago," he begins. "Brain disease."

"We built a company together. It was growing, doing well. Worldwide kinda dream. But then... I have a step older brother."

"Somehow, he...played me. Manipulated everything. And in the end, he took it all. One hundred percent. Everything I built with my father."

"Down to the last fucking penny."

My mouth falls open. "Oh my God. Hunter, I'm so sorry."

He shakes his head, almost smiling. "You don't have to be sorry, Hermione. I've got it under control. Good lawyers are on it. He'll end up in jail soon. I'm one thousand percent sure."

I nod slowly, watching the way his face doesn't even shake when he says it. "I hope you beat him."

"Sure," he says like it's already done.

The silence that follows feels heavy.

After a while, he glances at me. "What about your parents?"

My stomach twists, but I don't reply him. Going back there would feel like an abomination. Like dragging my shame through their front door.

Ever since I got married, they've never called. Never asked if I was alive. I've called so many times, but they ignored me. I'm sure they didn't even know I went to prison.

I pull out my phone. The battery has been dead since prison.

I press the power button, and the screen lights up. Five percent left.

Scrolling through my contacts feels like reopening wounds.

Adam's name is everywhere, saved as 'My Addiction' I can't even look at it without my chest hurting.

I force myself past it until I find Zara.

I hit a call. I don't have enough battery to wait.

She picks up instantly.

"Hermione! Holy shit! Is that really you?!"

I press the phone closer to my ear, "Yes, Zara, it's really me," I respond, hating how my voice sounds.

"Oh my God! Two damn years, girl." Her voice wavers, like she's about to cry too.

"Are you home now? I'm coming over! And tell Adam he's not seizing you today."

I close my eyes. Hearing Adam's name feels like a blade pressed to my skin. "Ummmh... Zara, I don't know about that."

"Wait...why does your voice sound like that?" she asks, her tone sharpening with concern.

I swallow, not wanting her to know just how wrecked I am. "Can I come over?" I ask, like I'm some twelve year old asking for permission.

"Are you kidding me? Why the hell are you even asking?"

"I don't know, Zara, I mean..."

"Don't even finish that," she cuts me off quickly.

"Get your polite ass over here. Girl, I've missed you. We've got a lot of talks to do."

I sigh deeply and hang up. Zara's place is exactly where I need to be right now.

We'd been making beautiful progress on my App idea. We could have been hitting millions by now with the launch plan we had laid out but the arrest happened and I've totally lost track of everything.

I'm only left with the amazing ideas I've been able to come up with while in prison.

I drag my small box onto my lap and open it, picking up my purse.

I unzip it and stare at the cash tucked neatly inside. My eyes widen. Ten thousand dollars.

What the hell? I know for sure I didn't leave that amount in here.

Did Adam...? The thought stops me. Did Adam put the money in my purse?

Is this a pity gift?

I sit there staring at it, torn between anger and confusion.

I lift my head and catch Hunter watching me, sitting comfortably on the hood of his car, his legs apart.

"Ummmm....Hunter? how much do I owe you?" I ask, holding the purse in my lap.

He shakes his head quickly. "Hermione, you don't have to do that."

"What do you mean?"

He glances at me, his arms folded to his chest, with a soft expression on his sharp face.

"See, I know this is supposed to be professional, but let's just skip payment for today." He pauses, and a small smile draws at his lips.

"Maybe I'll be able to offer you much more than a broke cabbie will, the next time we meet."

His words are strange, like there's a hidden meaning behind them, but I don't sweat it.

I feel a bit relieved and I find myself smiling.

"Thank you so much, Hunter. You're amazing."

His smile grows wider.

"So, where are you headed to next?" He asks.

Zara is curled up beside me on the couch, one leg tucked under her.

A half-eaten pancake sits on her plate, forgotten, her tea cooling between her palms.

Her brows are drawn so tightly in confusion.

She's gotten just a bit lean, but her caramel skin glows better, her black curls always look ever glossy like she oils it every minute.

"Babe... tell me you're joking," she says, her voice almost breaking.

"Adam? Divorce? That man worshiped everything that concerns you."

I stare down at my plate, pushing crumbs of pancakes around with my fork.

My chest feels hollow, like someone scooped me out from the inside, and it hurts so much, but I feel more ashamed talking about it.

Zara only visited us once but she knows everything about me and Adam. I used to tell her everything. But now...

"I wish I was joking. But it's true, Zara. He sent the papers while I was still in prison."

Zara's head snaps toward me, her mouth parting in shock. "Sent them? God!-"

"I don't get it. I don't fucking get it. That is so cruel!"

Zara leans closer, her shoulder brushing mine. Her eyes are almost wet.

"I swear, Hermione, I could kill him right now. To put you through this after everything? After you..." she stops herself.

She takes a deep loud breath. "You don't deserve this. Not from him."

Silence drapes over us.

She reaches out, and holds my arm, "You've been crying a lot. Look at you Hermione."

A broken laugh escapes me. "What do you expect? Two years locked away... and now this waiting for me as soon as I get home? I'm... I'm shattered, Zara." I breathe out, not even finding the strength to talk.

Her grip tightens. "No. You're hurting, yes. But you're not shattered. You're still you. You're still Hermione."

"The smart girl that can program dead bodies to function, but can't fry eggs without turning them black."

"I shoot my gaze at her, holding the urge to laugh, then my hands snap to her mouth, squeezing. "You bitch, you just have to keep remembering that, huh?"

She bursts out laughing.

Then she leans her head against mine, her voice turning into a whisper. "And I've missed you. More than I can say."

"I've missed you too babe." I say.

"But...Zara, the idea."

"No no no," she shakes her head.

"You eat, you rest your head, shake off everything about Adam and prison, then we can talk business."

"Because damn Hermione, we've got a shit load of business to discuss."

~~~

I wake up with a pounding headache. My eyes feel swollen, my pillow is damp. I must have cried myself to sleep again.

The first thing I do is grab my phone. My heart beats faster as it turns on.

I stare at the screen, waiting. But I see nothing. No missed calls. No texts. Not even a blank message from Adam.

I'm sure he's still with her, in our matrimonial bed. Making out, probably mocking me while they're at it.

It feels like the heartbreak is fresh all over again. Like it just happened this morning, not yesterday.

"I'm never crying over you again, Adam." I whisper. That's exactly what I promised myself last night before I fell asleep.

I pull out the SIM from my phone and snap it in half, then throw it in the bin.

I block him everywhere. I don't want anything ever reminding me of him.

I open my phone gallery. My thumb hovers over pictures of us. I select everything, press delete, and they all vanish, except one.

The photo of us in the pool. He's lifting me up, I'm laughing with my head thrown back.

We looked like the happiest couple alive. My finger brushes over his face on the screen.

"I hope you're happy with her," I whisper, and another tear slips down but I wipe it fast. "I hope...she loves you as much as I loved you."

I press delete and the screen goes blank.

"Goodbye, Adam...You're dead to me."

I take a long bath and change into clean clothes.

When I walk into the kitchen, the smell of coffee fills the air. Zara is leaning against the counter with two mugs.

"Bitch, you look like you woke up from the dead," she says, handing me a cup.

"Thanks," I mutter and take it, instantly falling in love with the warmth it gives me.

"Aww. You already sieved out the sugar." I ask.

I smile faintly. "You put all of it in yours, right?"

"Exactly. I'm a sweet girl, I know." She winks, and I can't help but laugh softly.

"You're the best, Zara," I say.

Then I set my laptop down on the table and take a sip of the coffee.

Her tone shifts to a more serious one. "So, from our beta testing, remember that? With my followers and a few influencers, we got an insane response."

"We could've made millions just from that if you'd agreed to make it a paid version, Hermione." She shakes her head.

"Your idea's super genius, but then...prison happened," she says, gesturing with her hands in the air.

I breathe in slowly. Shame touches me, but I push past it.

"I got a lot of new ideas in prison," I say. "Crazy ones. With what we already have, we can build something way bigger."

Her eyes light up. "That's what I like to hear. And listen, I've still got influencers begging to partner with us. They were pissed when everything paused, but they'll jump right back in."

"You said the beta has... what, three million users now?" I ask.

"Three million active fucking users," she yells excitedly. "And you gotta open a social media account, by the way."

I chuckle softly. "I'll handle that later."

"Fine." She takes another sip of coffee.

"I'm thinking five dollars per month for a subscription." I say.

Her eyebrows shoot up. "Hermione, that's too low. A shitty competitor app takes ten dollars, and it's nothing compared to yours."

"I know. But five is still amazing for a start. We make it superb and affordable for the people. That's how we grow faster."

Zara leans back, crossing her arms. "And with the influencers on board, we could hit the world hard."

We stare at each other. And I find both her eyes wide with excitement.

"Oh my God, Zara," I breathe. "We could hit a billion dollars in a year if we work super hard on this."

She squeals and nearly spills her coffee. "That's exactly what I'm saying, bitch! Like disgustingly rich. That's what I'm fucking talking about!"

"I've waited so much for you, Hermione, you won't understand!"

Her excitement pulls a laugh out of me. I nod, relief rushing through me for the first time in years.

"Good," I say, looking at her.

"Let's make this happen."

{ADAM}

"Name your price, Cassie. I've got important places to be," I say, standing in front of the mirror, fixing my cufflinks.

My reflection stares back at me, calm on the outside, but my chest feels too tight.

I'm finalizing our divorce today but Hermione's crying face has been haunting me since yesterday.

"What if I say that I want you instead...Adam?" Cassie says, her voice sounds like she's teasing, but I hope she doesn't mean what she just said.

I watch her through the mirror as she slowly drags the white duvet off her body, slides off the bed, and catwalks toward me. Her breasts are out like she doesn't give a heck.

I turn to face her before she gets too close. "The fuck do you mean?" I ask.

"You divorced your wife, right? You're single now..." she whispers, grabbing my black coat.

I take a slow, deep breath, trying to steady myself. "Are you flirting with me?"

"No, I'm just...remembering high school days," she says, tilting her head, smirking.

"The sex? It was insane. I miss," she squeals, like a fourteen year old begging for something.

I turn back to the mirror, brushing my hair with my fingers. "Those days were just sex, Cassie."

"And...I didn't bring you here to fuck. I made that damn clear, didn't I?"

"Adam?" Her tone grows serious, and she grabs my arm, pressing it lightly against her tits.

"Tell me you don't miss this," she says with that sultry smirk again.

I look at her for a long moment. I can't stop the memory of the last woman I held her boobs, Hermione. The way she would moan to just my touch.

I can't get her out of my head, even when another woman is naked in front of me.

I had buried myself in work when she left for prison. Telling myself I didn't miss her. Telling myself I was never in love with her. That marrying her and loving her was all a well planned facade.

But the truth is... I haven't been able to look at another woman the way I look at her.

"Adam, just once, sweetie."

Before she can finish, my hand grabs her neck tight, my thumb lifting her chin and she smiles wide. Bitch seems to enjoy it.

"I called you here, Cassie, to play girlfriend because we had a thing in high school. You're another woman that's seen me naked. I wasn't interested in inviting a stranger into my privacy."

"And you said yes to it, right?"

"I pay you good money. You pretend we're in love. That was the plan."

"And...You overplayed your part. Showing up outside to call my wi-" I stop myself before I can finish the word 'wife'.

Cassie laughs, the mocking type of laugh I hate seeing. "Your wife?" She scoffs.

"You're funny. And yes, she did smell like prison sweat. You know that."

"Acts over, Cassie. Now get your fucking clothes on and leave," I say, releasing her with a push that's subtle.

I find my checkbook and write her 500,000 dollars.

Before I can finish, she dresses up and steps closer in her heels, her purple satin gown hugging her body perfectly.

"Take this," I say, handing her the check. Her eyes widen as she takes it.

"You know what?" she says, leaning in close. "The rude Adam turns me the fuck on. Call me if you need to put on another show. Muah!" she whispers and blows kisses.

I stand there watching her leave with the annoying wink on her face, regretting ever getting her involved in my life again.

I roll my eyes as soon as she's gone and collapse onto the black velvet couch, pulling my phone out of my pocket.

My chest still aches, and I can't shake Hermione's face out of my goddamn mind.

I scroll to my gallery and find her video. I had secretly asked Six to record her for me.

I watch her, slowly crouching to the floor to pick the divorce papers and sign, her face red and swollen with tears.

The sight of it rips me apart.

I did this to her. I caused her this pain.

My jaw clenches so hard I feel it cracking. My Hermione.

When I saw her in those prison rags, all I ever wanted was to hold her tight and press kisses all over her, make her forget every bit of the ugly memory she's got from that damn prison.

I watch her raise her face to look at me, damn!

Her soulful brown eyes... the way they gaze at me.

Getting married to her was part of the plan with Elton, to ruin Silas Bennett's family and everything that belongs to him.

But when she came into my life, I thought I had it under control. I thought...I was following my mission, getting her to fall in love with me, just so I could wreck her life beyond repair.

But...she took me first.

Her passionate brown eyes, the way they always make me think we're soulmates. The way she gave herself to me. The way she screams my fucking name through her soft lips, like it's her favorite thing to say on planet earth.

The sex with her, being inside her, tastes like heaven. Her intelligence. How she talks about her passion.

Everything about Hermione slowly unraveled me. I wasn't prepared for her type of sweetness, especially when her dad's a fucking rot.

I tried my best to hold onto my mission, but damn, I fell too hard, that realization hit harder when she's already landed in prison.

Every fucking moment I spent with her, I keep realizing I can't get enough.

But...each moment still feels like a betrayal to my own family.

Dad, Mom, my sweet kid sister Berry. They all burned in that brutal fire, started by Silas.

Each time I think about my family, I realize just how much I need to ruin him and take away everything he ever loved.

But...Hermione.

She doesn't deserve any of this mess I dragged her into. She doesn't deserve this fucked up cruelty. And that's why this divorce needs to happen.

"I'm sorry, Baby," I say, brushing my finger on the screen across her cheeks without even realizing it.

"This marriage was never meant to last in the first place," I say finally.

Then I scroll through my contacts and find Elton's number. I text him the video and dial his number right after.

"What's up, El."

"What is it, Adam? I'm busy." Fucker's always too busy to talk to his own brother.

"Just letting you know I divorced my wife. You got the video, right?"

"What?! That's not what we planned!"

"I'm fucking aware of our plans, El, I just..." I stutter, my fingers gripping my forehead.

"You what?" he asks impatiently.

My jaw tightens hard. I shut my eyes, take a deep breath, then let it out.

"She doesn't deserve all that."

"The fuck are you saying, Adam?"

Silence follows. I don't even know a damn word to say at this moment.

"You remember Berry?" He continues, "How you couldn't even recognize her after that fire? That's the level of cruelty his fucking whore of a daughter deserves."

"She's not a whore, you shithead!" I bark.

"Don't start a banter with me, Adam. We're not kids anymore."

"Wait a minute... you fell in love?"

I take a deep breath to calm my nerves, not responding to his question.

He laughs from the other end of the phone. "You fell in love with Silas's daughter? You've clearly gone wild."

"Fuck! We leave her out of this, do you understand me, El?"

"That's not going-"

I smash the end call button before he finishes his speech.

If he dares lay a single finger on Hermione, I'm yanking them off. I don't even care if he's my brother.

My phone screen glows again and it's him. Of course.

I ignore it and spray on my cologne. But he calls five times in less than a minute.

"What is it, El?" I snap when I finally pick up.

"Who the fuck is the lady in that video?"

The question leaves my thoughts spinning for some seconds.

"That's my ex-wife, are you dumb?"

"Oh my fucking God, Adam!" he yells.

"You told me you married Silas's daughter? That's not his daughter!"

A slick chill runs through my body from that statement.

I take a minute to swallow hard, letting it settle.

"What the fuck do you mean? Hermione's his first daughter."

"You married an adopted, push-aside girl. Not his real blood."

"Push-aside girl? The hell?" I ask, my chest picking up its own race as the realization slowly dawns on me.

"Hermione is not his real blood!"

"So... why didn't you tell me this, Elton?" I growl, my voice already shaking with rage.

"I didn't fucking know! I wasn't supposed to show up at your wedding, remember? You weren't supposed to let her know you've got any relations."

"So there's no fucking way I could have known you didn't get the right girl."

"I bet she didn't tell you she was adopted, but as far as I know, Silas Bennett only has one daughter, and the girl in that video is not her."

"Wait a minute..." I mutter, piecing it all together.

Everything I'd ever questioned about Hermione starts clicking all at once. How she never bothered to bring her family over. How her dad never attended her wedding, claiming he traveled.

"HOLY SHIT!"

"Adam," Elton calls from the phone, "You better pray I don't handle her mys-"

I hang up before he can finish his horseshit.

"Shit! What should I do?" I mutter, pacing around. Sweat slowly soaking my shirt despite the air conditioner.

"How on God's fucking earth did I not know about this?"

Then my head shoots up. I need to try her line, it should be on by now.

I scroll through my phone, a wave of guilt suddenly crashes heavy on me and I pause.

I don't think she'll ever talk to me again. The embarrassment I made her go through.

"Damn!"

I shut my eyes, jaw clenching, but I dial her number anyway.

My foot taps impatiently, waiting for it to ring.

"Baby...please just take your call."

"You can't reach this line." My chest drops when I hear the voice.

I dial again but it's the same darn voice.

"She's already blocked me? Good. I deserve worse than that."

I need to get to her family. She must have gone back there.

They don't know who I really am. Not yet. That gives me one chance to drag her back into my life where she belongs.

If she isn't Silas's blood...then nothing's stopping me anymore. Nothing.

"Six?" I call out.

He opens the door and peeks through. "Sir?"

"Get my other car ready. I'm driving to Sand Town."

"But... sir... the business trip?"

"Get my fucking car ready, Six!" I bark, instantly regretting it. "I'm driving there myself."

I grab the right car keys and my coat.

Then I spot the divorce papers I left on the flower vase. I pick them up and look. My side to sign is still blank.

I spot her signature, smudged with tears. My heart caves in looking at it.

"You're still my wife, Hermione." I mutter.

"I don't care if you drive your kitchen knife through my chest the second you see me, but I'm gonna get you back."