My body hit the wooden floor at the bottom of the stairs with a hard, dull sound. A sharp pain shot through my ankle, and my head spun.

For a moment, I couldn't breathe, I just lay there, staring at the ceiling, trying to figure out what had just happened.

"Roosevelt!"

I heard heavy footsteps running down the hallway. Zyran appeared above me, his face was pale. For a moment, I saw panic in his eyes.

"Are you okay?" He knelt beside me, his hands hovering over my arms. "What happened? Did you slip?"

I gritted my teeth against the pain and looked up past him. Mina was standing at the top of the stairs. She had one hand over her mouth, and her eyes were wide with fake shock.

"She pushed me," I gasped. I grabbed Zyran's sleeve. "Zyran, she pushed me."

Zyran frowned. He looked up at Mina, then back at me. His expression shifted from worry to annoyance.

"Roosevelt, don't be ridiculous," he said in a low, stern voice. "Mina can barely stand, how could she push you?"

"I'm telling you the truth!" I cried, trying to sit up. A wave of nausea hit me, and I remembered the baby. My hand flew to my stomach. "She looked me in the eye and pushed me."

"I didn't!" Mina wailed from the top of the stairs. She started to cry, her shoulders shaking. "I tried to catch her! She tripped on her dress. Oh my god, Zyran, I think she hates me!"

Zyran let go of my arm and stood up abruptly. He didn't help me off the floor. Instead, he looked at me with disappointment.

"Look what you have done," Zyran said coldly. "You have upset her."

"I upset her?" I asked, my voice cracking. "Zyran, I'm the one on the floor. I'm the one who is hurt!"

"You are strong, Roosevelt. You always have been," he said, dismissing my pain with a wave of his hand. "Mina just lost her home in a fire. She is traumatized. And now you are accusing her of violence? That is beneath you."

He walked past me, actually leaving me sitting on the floor. He went up a few steps and reached out a hand to Mina.

"Come down, Mina. It's okay," he said softly. His voice was gentle the same way he used to speak to me. "She didn't mean it, she is just tired."

Mina slowly walked down the stairs, pretending to be terrified. She took Zyran's hand and hid behind his arm, peeking at me.

As Zyran turned his head to check the front door lock, Mina looked at me. She wasn't crying anymore. Instead, she gave me that same dark, satisfied smirk she wore before she pushed me.

She had won. She knew exactly how to play him.

"Zyran," I said, forcing myself to stand up. My ankle throbbed, but I pushed through the pain. "My ankle is swollen and I don't feel well. I need to go to the hospital."

I had to check on the baby. I had to know if the fall had hurt my child.

Zyran looked at his watch and sighed. "It's late, Roosevelt. It's probably just a sprain. We have ice packs in the freezer."

"But-"

"Mina is shaking," Zyran interrupted me, his voice firm. "I need to get her settled in the guest room to make sure she doesn't go into shock. Can you please just put some ice on your ankle and stop making a scene? We will discuss your clumsiness in the morning."

My mouth dropped open. "My clumsiness? Zyran, I am your wife!"

"Then act like one," he snapped. "Be gracious. Be kind to our guest."

He put his arm around Mina's waist to support her. "Let's go, Mina, you need to rest."

I watched them walk away from me. I watched my husband choose to comfort a woman who had just tried to hurt me, while I stood there in pain on our anniversary night.

A tear slid down my cheek, but I wiped it away angrily. I wouldn't cry, not in front of her.

I limped toward the kitchen to get the ice pack, feeling more alone than I ever had in my life. But as I reached the kitchen door, a sharp cramp ripped through my lower stomach. This pain was different. It felt deep and terrifying.

I grabbed the doorframe, gasping for air.

"Zyran!" I called, my voice filled with sudden fear.

"I said enough, Roosevelt!" he shouted back from the living room, not even looking.

The cramp came again, harder this time. I looked down at my white dress.

There, blooming on the silk fabric like a terrible red flower, was a small spot of blood.

The pain in my stomach was sharp, like a knot being pulled tight. I slumped against the kitchen doorframe, clutching my belly.

"Zyran..." I whispered. The room was spinning.

I heard footsteps, Zyran ran into the kitchen. He didn't look angry anymore. When he saw me on the floor, his face went pale. His eyes were wide with pure terror.

"Roosevelt!"

He dropped to his knees, sliding across the tiles to get to me. He gathered me into his arms, his hands shaking as he touched my face.

"Roosevelt, look at me! What is it? Where does it hurt?" His voice was frantic. He wasn't the cold billionaire anymore, he was just my husband, terrified.

"My stomach," I gasped, grabbing his shirt. "It hurts... so much."

I felt warm liquid between my legs. I was bleeding.

"No, no, no," I sobbed, burying my face in his chest. "Please, not this."

Zyran didn't ask questions, he scooped me up into his arms effortlessly, holding me tight against his chest.

"I've got you," he whispered fiercely into my hair. "Stay with me."

He ran toward the front door. As we passed the living room, I saw Mina standing there, surprised to see Zyran carrying me.

"Zyran?" she called out. "Where are you going?"

"Get in the car, Mina!" Zyran shouted without stopping. "We are going to the hospital. Now!"

Everything after that was a blur of lights. The last thing I felt was Zyran's hand gripping mine so hard it almost hurt, and his voice whispering, "Don't leave me, Roosevelt. Please don't leave me."

Beep... Beep... Beep...

I woke up to the smell of lemons and medicine. The room was quiet.

I blinked my eyes open, I was in a hospital bed. My hand felt warm. I looked down and saw Zyran. He was sitting in a chair next to the bed, his head resting near my hip. He was asleep, but he still held my hand tightly with both of his.

I moved slightly, and he woke up instantly. He sat up, his hair messy and his eyes red, showing that he hadn't slept at all.

"You're awake," he breathed out. The relief in his voice hit me hard. He reached out and stroked my cheek with his thumb. "You scared me to death, Roosevelt. I thought something terrible had happened."

"Zyran," I croaked. My throat felt dry. "The doctor... what did he say?"

Before Zyran could answer, the door opened. A doctor with gray hair walked in, holding a clipboard.

"Ah, Mrs. King. Good to see you awake," the doctor said kindly.

Zyran stood up. "Doctor, she is in pain. Is it her appendix? Is it the fall?"

The doctor looked at Zyran, then at me. He seemed to sense the tension. He walked to the other side of the bed, away from Zyran, and lowered his voice slightly.

"Mr. King, could you give us a moment? I need to check her vitals," the doctor said smoothly.

Zyran hesitated. He didn't want to leave. "I want to know what is wrong with my wife."

"I will update you in a minute," the doctor insisted.

Reluctantly, Zyran squeezed my hand one last time. "I'll be right outside the door," he promised. He walked out, casting a worried look back at me before closing the door.

As soon as he was gone, the doctor leaned in close.

"Mrs. King, you are very lucky," he whispered. "You had a threatened miscarriage, the bleeding was caused by the trauma of the fall and high stress."

My hands flew to my mouth. "But... is the baby...?"

"The baby is still holding on," the doctor smiled gently. "The heartbeat is strong but you are in a danger zone. You cannot have any stress, no shocks, or heavy lifting. If you bleed again, we might not be able to save the pregnancy."

I let out a sob of relief. "Thank you. Oh, thank you."

"Does your husband know?" the doctor asked.

I shook my head quickly. "No and please, don't tell him yet. There is a lot happening at home. I need to tell him when the time is right. When things are calm."

The doctor nodded. "Very well. Patient confidentiality, but you must rest."

The doctor left the room. A few seconds later, Zyran came back in. He looked more relaxed now that the doctor was gone.

"He said you just need rest," Zyran said, sitting on the edge of the bed. "He said you are exhausted and the fall shook you up."

He leaned forward and kissed my forehead. His lips were warm. "I am so sorry, Roosevelt. I should have listened to you about the stairs. I was just overwhelmed with everything happening with Mina."

"Speaking of Mina," I whispered, pulling back slightly. "Where is she?"

Zyran sighed. "She is in the waiting room, she refused to leave."

"Zyran, who is she really?" I asked. "You said she was an old friend, but..."

Zyran looked down at his hands. "We were friends in college. Best friends, then she met a guy. They were together for three years. I didn't hear from her that whole time. I thought she was happy."

He looked up at me, his eyes full of pity. "She called me tonight for the first time in years. She was screaming, her apartment was on fire. She said she had no one else."

"But why you?" I asked. "Why not the police?"

"Because of her ex-boyfriend," Zyran said darkly. "She left him a year ago, but..."

Suddenly, the door to my room banged open.

Mina rushed in. She was back in her dirty white dress, she looked frantic, holding a cell phone in her shaking hand.

"Zyran!" she cried out.

Zyran stood up immediately. "Mina? What is it?"

Mina ran to him and grabbed his arm, her nails digging into his shirt. She looked at me, then back at Zyran. Her eyes were wide with panic.

"He found me," she whispered, her voice trembling. "My ex... he knows I'm here."

Zyran frowned. "How? The fire..."

"He sent me a message," Mina choked out. She held up the phone so Zyran could see the screen. "He said he saw you carry a woman out of the house. He thinks... he thinks I am your wife."

Zyran went still. "What?"

Mina looked at me, a twisted fear on her face.

"He thinks Roosevelt is me," Mina whispered. "And he says he is coming to the hospital to finish what he started in the fire."

"He thinks I'm you?," I asked, my voice shaking.

The room suddenly felt cold. I looked at the door, half-expecting someone to burst in.

Zyran's expression turned serious. He grabbed his phone and quickly dialed a number.

"Security," he said sharply. "Code Red, I need four men at my wife's door right now and check the parking lot."

He hung up and turned to Mina. She was shivering, wrapping her arms around herself.

"Mina, sit down," Zyran said gently. "He won't touch her and he won't touch you."

"I'm so sorry, Zyran," Mina cried. "I didn't mean to create this trouble for your family. I should just leave. I should let him find me."

"Don't be foolish," Zyran said, but he squeezed her shoulder. "You are not going anywhere. You are family."

I stared at him, confused. "Family?"

Zyran looked at me, his eyes serious. "Roosevelt, I didn't have time to explain earlier. Mina isn't just a college friend, we grew up on the same street. She has known me since I was five."

He glanced at Mina with a protective look. "She used to play dolls with my big sister, Clara. My mother loves Mina like a daughter. If anything happened to her, my mother would never forgive me."

I felt a strange ache in my heart. I knew Zyran's mother was tough. She hardly ever smiled at me. But she loved Mina?

"I had no idea," I whispered.

"There's a lot you don't know," Zyran said, sounding weary. "But I promised my family I would always look out for her. I keep my promises."

Suddenly, a loud noise echoed from the hallway.

"Move! Get out of my way!" a woman's voice shouted.

The door swung open. A woman with bright red hair and a fierce look stormed in, she wore mismatched sneakers and a large coat.

It was Nixie, my best friend.

"Roosevelt!" Nixie yelled. Ignoring Zyran, she ran straight to my bed and grabbed my face in her hands. "I saw the news! Someone posted a picture of Zyran carrying you into the ER! Are you okay? Tell me you're okay!"

"I'm okay, Nix," I managed a weak smile. Seeing her made me feel safer. "It was just... a fall."

Nixie sighed with relief and hugged me tightly. Then she pulled back and shot an angry look at Zyran.

"You!" she said, pointing a finger at his chest. "You are supposed to protect her, Mr. Billionaire! How does she fall down the stairs on your anniversary?"

Zyran crossed his arms. "It was an accident, Nixie. Lower your voice."

Nixie's eyes narrowed, she glanced past Zyran and saw Mina sitting in the corner, looking small in her dirty dress.

"Who is this ghost?" Nixie asked bluntly.

"This is Mina," Zyran said, standing between Nixie and Mina. "She's a guest. She's having a tough time."

Nixie examined Mina. Nixie had a knack for spotting when someone was pretending, she squinted.

"Mina," Nixie asked slowly, "why are you wearing Roosevelt's robe?"

Mina flinched and looked at Zyran with big, teary eyes. "My clothes were burned. Zyran gave it to me."

"Nixie, stop it," I said softly. I didn't want a confrontation. Not now. "Mina is in danger. Her ex-boyfriend is after her."

"And now he is after Roosevelt," Zyran added grimly.

Nixie's face paled. She looked at me, then at the door. "Wait. You're telling me that because of her problems, my best friend is a target?"

"We're handling it," Zyran said. "I'm moving both of them to the Safe House tonight. No one gets in."

"The Safe House?" I asked. "But Zyran, I just want to go home."

"Home isn't safe, Roosevelt," Zyran replied firmly. "The address is public, the Safe House is the only choice."

He walked to the window and peered through the blinds. His back went tense.

"Damn it," Zyran cursed.

"What?" I asked, my heart racing.

Zyran turned. His face was serious.

"Security just radioed in," he said. "A black van just crashed through the hospital gate. Men in masks are getting out."

He looked at me, then at Mina.

"He's here."

The fear didn't last long.

Zyran's security team was impressive. Before the masked men could reach the hospital doors, five black SUVs surrounded them. We watched from the window as police cars flooded the parking lot. Mina's ex-boyfriend was handcuffed and shoved into a police car within ten minutes.

"It's over," Zyran said, closing the blinds. "He's going to jail for a long time, you are safe now."

Mina sobbed with relief, but I felt drained. I wanted to go home. Instead, Zyran took us to his Safe House-a huge, modern mansion on the edge of the city. It looked cold and fortress-like.

By the time we settled in, it was past midnight. Nixie had gone to a guest room to call her husband, leaving me alone with Zyran and Mina in the kitchen.

My ankle throbbed, and my stomach felt tight. I sat on a barstool, watching Zyran. He had removed his suit jacket and was rolling up his sleeves. He opened the fridge and pulled out some eggs and vegetables.

"I'll make something simple," Zyran said, glancing at me. "You need to eat before you take your medicine, Roosevelt."

A small warmth filled my chest. "Thank you, Zyran. You don't have to-"

"Zyran!"

Mina's shrill voice cut through the air. She entered the kitchen, wearing fresh clothes that the housekeeper had found for her. She looked at Zyran holding the frying pan and gasped, horrified.

"Why would you offer to cook, Zyran?" she said, walking over and trying to take the pan from him. "Cooking is a domestic chore, It's meant for women."

I blinked, stunned. Was she serious?

Mina didn't look at me. She focused on Zyran, speaking softly. "You see, I've had a hard day. I'm traumatized. I'm so tired I can barely move, or else I would do it. But you, you're a billionaire CEO, running a company is tough. You deserve to rest."

She finally turned her head and glared at me. Her eyes were cold, but her voice stayed sweet for Zyran's sake.

"Roosevelt should do the cooking," Mina said, pointing at me. "She seems so energetic, she was ready to fight me on the stairs earlier. That energy should be used to make us dinner. Besides, isn't she an interior designer? She's practically a domestic worker, she knows how to serve."

I was stunned. I sat there with my mouth slightly open. I had nearly lost my baby tonight. I could barely walk on my swollen ankle. And this woman wanted me to serve her?

Zyran stiffened. He set the pan down on the counter with a loud thud.

"She didn't ask me to cook, Mina," Zyran said, his voice low and firm. "I did it willingly, she is my wife, watch your words."

I felt a flicker of gratitude. At least he defended me this time.

But Mina didn't back down. She looked hurt, as if Zyran had slapped her. Tears filled her eyes.

"You've changed, Zyran," she cried. "This isn't you. What has that woman done to you?"

She stepped closer to him, ignoring me completely.

"What were you thinking when you married someone as tough and cold as Roosevelt?" Mina asked, sniffling. "She is mean and lacks sympathy. Didn't you notice how little she cared about me being homeless tonight? She wanted to send me to a hotel! She's not only mean, but inconsiderate too."

"Mina..." Zyran warned.

"I'm just telling the truth!" Mina sobbed. "For someone with a rough past, she shouldn't interfere with us. Remember how we used to be? You were never this soft, you were strong."

She reached out and placed her small hand on Zyran's chest, over his heart.

"Let me cook," she whispered. "I might be tired, but I won't let a King work in the kitchen while his capable wife sits there like a statue."

Zyran looked at her hand on his chest. Then he turned his gaze to me.

I waited for him to push her away. I waited for him to kick her out.

Instead, Zyran sighed. He gently took Mina's hand off his chest, but he didn't seem angry at her anymore. He looked conflicted.

"Go to bed, Mina," he said softly. "I will bring some food up to your room."

Mina smirked at me over Zyran's shoulder. It was a quick, victorious look before she turned back to him and nodded.

"Okay, Zyran. But only because you asked," she whispered.

She turned and walked out of the kitchen, leaving a heavy silence behind her.

Zyran picked up the pan again and cracked an egg into it. He didn't look at me.

"She is just stressed," he muttered, more to himself than to me.

I gripped the edge of the marble counter. My knuckles turned white. He was still making excuses for her.

"Zyran," I said quietly. "We need to talk."

"Not tonight, Roosevelt," he interrupted. "I am tired. Let's just eat."

He plated the eggs and slid a plate toward me. But as I picked up my fork, my phone buzzed in my pocket.

It was a text message from an unknown number.

I opened it, and my blood ran cold. It was a photo of Zyran and Mina from years ago, looking very much in love.

And underneath, a message read:

He promised his mother he would take care of me. Do you really think a 'wife' can break a promise made to family? Enjoy the eggs. I'll enjoy him later.

The sun was shining through the heavy curtains of the guest bedroom, but I felt like I was under a dark cloud.

I stared at my phone screen, the message from the unknown number was still there. The picture of Zyran and Mina looking so happy together mocked me. "I'll enjoy him later."

"Stop looking at it," a voice said sharply.

I looked up. Nixie walked into the room carrying a tray with toast, fruit, and a glass of milk. She looked angry, but her eyes softened when she met my gaze.

"You didn't sleep at all, did you?" she asked, setting the tray down on the bed.

"I couldn't," I admitted, sitting up slowly. My body felt heavy. My ankle was stiff, wrapped in a bandage, and my stomach felt tender. "Nixie, that text message... do you think they are...?"

"Sleeping together?" Nixie finished for me. She sat on the edge of the bed and sighed. "Honestly, Rose? I don't know. Men can be clueless. But Zyran isn't the type to cheat. He's too concerned about his reputation and his 'principles.'"

She picked up an apple slice, pointing it at me. "But that doesn't mean Mina isn't trying. She's a snake and your husband is letting her crawl all over your marriage because of a promise he made to his mother."

I rubbed my temples. "He feels responsible for her. He said she is like family."

"You are his family!" Nixie snapped. "You are his wife! And you are carrying his-"

She stopped and lowered her voice to a whisper. "You are carrying his child, Roosevelt. You have to tell him, you can't keep this a secret forever."

"I know," I whispered back, looking at the glass of milk. "But not yet. Did you see how he looked at her last night? He defended her. If I tell him now, he might think I am just using the baby to get rid of her. Or worse, Mina might find out and try to hurt the baby."

Nixie looked horrified. "You really think she would go that low?"

"She pushed me down the stairs, Nixie," I said flatly. "I don't put anything past her."

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

Nixie stood up and crossed her arms, putting on her "battle face."

"Come in," I called out.

The door opened and Zyran stepped inside. He wore a grey suit, looking impeccable as always. He smelled of expensive cologne and coffee. He didn't look like a man who had been dealing with police and stalkers all night.

He glanced at Nixie, then at me.

"Good morning," he said. His voice was calm and professional. "How is the ankle?"

"It's fine," I lied. It throbbed with every heartbeat.

"Good," Zyran said, checking his watch. "I have to go to the office for a few hours. There is a board meeting I cannot miss. Security is outside the door. No one comes in or out without my permission."

"You're leaving?" I asked, feeling a spike of anxiety. "Zyran, we are in a Safe House. Is it safe for you to go?"

"I have security with me," he assured me. He took a step closer to the bed but stopped a few feet away. "Mina is coming with me."

Nixie scoffed loudly. "Of course she is. Does she have a board seat now, too?"

Zyran shot Nixie a cold glare. "Mina needs new identification papers. Her documents were destroyed in the fire. My assistant is meeting us at the office to sort it out. I can't leave her here alone."

"She wouldn't be alone," Nixie argued. "Roosevelt is here."

"That is exactly why I am taking her," Zyran said, looking back at me. "I don't want any more 'accidents' while I am gone. It's better if you two are separated."

I felt a lump form in my throat. He was separating us, but he chose to take her with him. He was leaving his injured, pregnant wife in a strange house so he could babysit his ex.

"Fine," I said, looking down at my hands. "Do what you have to do."

Zyran hesitated. For a moment, he looked like he wanted to say something else. He noticed the bandage on my ankle, and his hand twitched at his side.

"I will be back for dinner," he said finally. "Please... just rest. Don't stress yourself."

He turned and walked out the door.

I listened to his footsteps fade down the hallway. I heard Mina's voice downstairs, high and happy, and then the front door closed.

Nixie sat back down on the bed and took a bite of the apple aggressively.

"He is an idiot," she declared. "A handsome, rich, colossal idiot."

"I know," I said, picking up the glass of milk. I forced myself to drink it. I had to be strong. Not for Zyran, and not for me. But for the little life growing inside me.

"So, what is the plan?" Nixie asked. "We can't just sit here and wait for them to come back."

I wiped my mouth and looked at my friend. The sadness was still there, but a bit of fire was starting to burn in my chest again.

"No," I said. "We aren't going to just sit. I need to make a call. If Zyran is going to prioritize his 'old friend,' then I need to protect myself."

"Who are you calling?" Nixie asked.

"My lawyer," I said simply. "I need to know what my options are. Just in case."

Nixie nodded approvingly. "That's my girl."

We sat there in the quiet room, eating toast and planning, while my husband drove away with the woman who wanted to destroy me.

Two days later, the swelling in my ankle had gone down enough for me to walk without limping. The doctor said the baby was stable, but I still felt a constant, low hum of anxiety in my chest.

I couldn't stay in the Safe House anymore. The walls were too gray, and the silence was too loud. Every time I saw Mina, she would give me a little smile that didn't reach her eyes, or she would be whispering to Zyran in a corner.

I needed to breathe. I needed to be me again.

"Are you sure you're ready for this?" Nixie asked, zipping up her overnight bag. She was going back to her own husband and kids.

"I have to be," I said, smoothing down my skirt. "I have a presentation for the Henderson account today. If I stay here, I'll go crazy."

Nixie hugged me tight. "Call me if the 'Ghost' tries anything. I mean it, Rose."

"I will," I promised.

After Nixie left, I called a car. I didn't ask Zyran for permission. I just sent him a text, Going to the office. I have work to do.

Walking into my design firm, Elite Interiors, felt like coming up for air. The smell of fresh coffee and drafting paper calmed me instantly. My assistant, Sarah, rushed over as soon as I stepped off the elevator.

"Mrs. King! We didn't expect you back so soon," Sarah said, looking relieved. "We have been trying to manage the Henderson file, but they are asking for you specifically."

"I'm here now," I said, walking into my office. I ran my hand over my desk. This was my kingdom. Here, I wasn't the neglected wife or the clumsy pregnant woman. I was Roosevelt King, the top interior designer in the city.

I worked for four hours straight. I lost myself in fabric swatches, color palettes, and blueprints. For a little while, I forgot about Mina.

Then, my office phone rang.

"Mrs. King?" Sarah's voice came through the intercom. "Mr. King is on line one, he says it's urgent."

My stomach tightened. L Was it Mina?

I picked up the phone. "Zyran? Is everything okay?"

"I'm fine," Zyran's deep voice filled my ear. He sounded calm, but there was a hesitation in his tone that I wasn't used to. "I saw your text. I'm glad you felt well enough to go in."

"I needed the distraction," I said honestly. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing is wrong," he said. "Actually, I have a favor to ask. A business favor."

I sat up straighter. Zyran respected my work. He never asked for favors unless it was important.

"Okay," I said. "What do you need?"

"I just closed a deal on a new property," Zyran said. "It's a luxury condo in the city center. It needs a complete interior redesign. Furniture, paint, everything and it needs to be done fast. Within two weeks."

"Two weeks is a tight deadline, Zyran," I said, grabbing a pen. "But for you, I can pull some strings. Is this for a client? Or an investment property?"

There was a long silence on the other end of the line. I could hear Zyran breathing.

"It's not for an investor," he finally said. "I bought it for Mina."

My pen froze on the paper.

"Mina?" I whispered.

"She can't stay at the Safe House forever," Zyran explained quickly. "And she can't go back to her old neighborhood. It's not safe. So, I bought her a place. A fresh start."

I felt the blood drain from my face. He bought her a condo? A luxury condo?

"And you want me to design it?" I asked, my voice trembling with disbelief.

"You are the best designer I know, Roosevelt," Zyran said. "Mina has been through a lot. I want her to have a place that feels peaceful. She admires your taste, she actually suggested it."

She suggested it.

Of course she did. She didn't want a home, she wanted to see if I would bow down and serve her. She wanted me to pick out the curtains for the house my husband bought her.

"Zyran, I don't think-"

"Please, Roosevelt," he interrupted. His voice was soft and pleading. "I just want to get her settled so things can go back to normal for us. If you do this, she will be out of our hair. We can focus on our marriage. On us."

I stared at the blank notepad in front of me.

My heart was screaming no. It was humiliating. It was wrong.

But if I said no, I would look like the jealous, petty wife he accused me of being. If I said no, he would hire someone else, and he would still spend time checking on the project.

But if I said yes... I would be building a nest for the woman who was trying to steal my life.

"Roosevelt?" Zyran asked. "Will you do it?"

I gripped the phone tight, my knuckles turning white. I had to make a choice. Save my pride or play the game to get my husband back?

"Send me the address," I said.