Axel walked into the bedroom, a massive bouquet of red velvet roses in his arms. He looked like the perfect husband from a romance novel—handsome, remorseful, and bearing gifts.
"I'm sorry," he said, his voice low and husky. He set the flowers on the nightstand and sat on the edge of the bed, reaching for my hand. "About a while ago. I shouldn't have snapped at you like that."
I looked at the roses. They were beautiful. Expensive. And utterly meaningless.
"It's okay," I said, keeping my voice neutral. "I was emotional too."
"I know," Axel sighed, running a thumb over my knuckles. "Look, Hannah. You know Jasmine. She's... difficult. She's always been a spoiled brat. My parents indulged her because of her background, and I guess I picked up the habit. But it doesn't mean I don't love you."
He leaned in, his eyes searching mine for forgiveness. "I will always choose you. You're my wife. My partner. Jasmine is just... family. She's my responsibility."
He kissed me then. A soft, lingering kiss meant to erase the memory of him choosing her over me in front of the jeweler less than twenty-four hours ago.
"I promise," he whispered against my lips. "From now on, I'll be better. I'll make it up to you."
I nodded, forcing a small smile. "Okay, Axel. I believe you."
The lie tasted like ash, but he seemed satisfied. He stood up, looking relieved, and headed for the door. "I have a meeting with the board. I'll see you at dinner."
As soon as the door clicked shut, the smile vanished.
Later that afternoon, Jasmine found me in the sunroom. She was carrying a stack of fabric swatches and a tablet, looking like the picture of contrition.
"Hannah?" she said softly. "Can I talk to you?"
I looked up from my book. "What is it, Jasmine?"
"I wanted to apologize again," she said, sitting on the opposite sofa. "I really was out of line. I shouldn't have interfered with your shopping. I know you're going through a lot."
She took a deep breath, her eyes wide and innocent. "To make it up to you, I want to help with your anniversary party two days from now. I know you're still recovering, so I thought I could handle the decorations. I want it to be perfect for you and Axel. As a peace offering."
I stared at her. The audacity was breathtaking. She wanted to plan the celebration of a marriage she was actively trying to destroy.
"That's very thoughtful of you," I said, my voice steady. "Sure. Whatever you think is best."
An hour later, a courier arrived at the service entrance. He handed me a thick, sealed envelope. I took it to my room and locked the door. My hands shook as I tore it open.
Inside were the divorce papers, drafted by Mr. Blackwood exactly as I had instructed. The transfer of assets to Mia was complete. The trust was dissolved. The Rossi fortune was safe.
But there was more. A flash drive fell out of the envelope. I plugged it into my laptop and clicked on the first file.
It was footage from a private investigator I had hired months ago, back when I first suspected Axel but was too afraid to confront him.
The video played. It was grainy, taken from a distance, but unmistakable. Axel and Jasmine, in a hotel room in Paris during a "business trip." They were arguing, then kissing. Passionate, desperate kisses. Then, Jasmine laughing as she pushed him onto the bed.
"Hannah?"
I slammed the laptop shut.
Mia stood in the doorway, her eyes wide with confusion. She had come in quietly, her socks muffling her footsteps on the carpet.
"What are you watching?" she asked, stepping closer. "Why are you crying?"
I touched my cheek. I hadn't realized I was crying.
"Mia," I said, my voice trembling. "Come here."
She sat on the bed next to me. I took a deep breath and opened the laptop again. "I need to show you something. I need you to understand why we have to leave."
"But..." Mia whispered, tears welling up in her eyes. "He's married to you. And she's his sister. That's... that's wrong."
"It is," I said softly. "And it's not just that, Mia. The kidnapping... they arranged it. Axel paid them off to protect her. They used you to hurt me."
"I want to go," Mia cried into my shoulder. "I don't want to stay here with them. They're monsters."
"We are going," I promised, stroking her hair. "I have everything ready. The papers are signed. The money is safe. We're leaving, Mia. Just you and me."
“Okay, Let’s go somewhere, please.”
Suddenly, the doorknob turned.
I froze.
"Go somewhere?" Axel asked, his voice dangerously calm. He stepped into the room and closed the door behind him with a soft click. "Where are you going, Hannah?"
"Oh," I let out a breathy, shaky laugh, “Axel. You startled us. We were just talking about... getting away. Mia is having a hard time, Axel. She’s traumatized. She can’t sleep. She keeps seeing those men in every shadow of this house."
I looked up at him, making my eyes plead. "I told her we could go somewhere. Maybe a trip? For our anniversary? I think a change of scenery would be good for all of us. To heal."
"Oh," he exhaled, a small, nervous chuckle escaping him. "Right. Of course. A trip sounds... actually, that sounds perfect, honey."
He walked over and sat on the other side of me, reaching for my hand. "God, you had me worried. For a second there... the way you said 'leaving'... I thought you were leaving me."
I forced a smirk onto my lips.
"Leaving you?" I asked, tilting my head. "Don't be silly, darling. I won't leave you. Unless you cheat on me."
I paused, watching his pupils dilate just a fraction.
"Which you didn't, right?"
“Of course,” he lied again.
But later that night, I saw them. Axel and Jasmine, tangled together in the sheets, his hands roaming over her skin as if I didn't exist. As if he hadn't just sworn his loyalty to me hours before.
Jasmine wanted to celebrate our anniversary? Then, I’ll give them a gift they would never forget.
