Alexandra POV:
I sat at the vanity in the master closet of our Beverly Hills mansion, watching the makeup artist carefully trace my lips with a blood-red lipstick.
I never wore colors this aggressive. I preferred muted tones, quiet elegance that didn't steal the spotlight. But tonight was different. The red felt like war paint. It was a subconscious preparation for the blood I was about to spill.
"You look absolutely breathtaking, ma'am," the makeup artist said, stepping back to admire her work.
I gave her a polite, temperature-less smile. My reflection in the mirror showed a woman who looked perfectly put together, but my stomach was tied in tight, cold knots.
Heavy, measured footsteps echoed in the hallway.
My spine instantly stiffened. My shoulders locked. I knew that rhythm. For ten years, that sound meant my husband was home. It used to bring me a sense of security, a warm flutter in my chest. Now, it just made bile rise in the back of my throat.
The thick oak door pushed open. Anthony walked in.
He was wearing a custom-tailored tuxedo that fit his broad shoulders perfectly. His hair was styled, and his face carried that trademark, flawless smile he used to charm investors and board members alike.
The makeup artist quickly packed her brushes, sensing the shift in the room's energy. She bowed her head, slipped out the door, and pulled the heavy oak shut behind her.
The air in the closet instantly felt thick and oppressive.
Anthony walked up behind me. He placed his large hands on my bare shoulders.
I dug my manicured nails so deeply into my palms that the skin stung. It took every ounce of my willpower to suppress the violent, physical urge to flinch away from his touch.
He looked at my reflection in the mirror, his eyes dark and approving. He leaned down, his lips brushing the shell of my ear. "You look stunning tonight, Alex."
As he spoke, I inhaled. Beneath his expensive, woody cologne, I caught it. A faint, lingering trace of a sickly-sweet, synthetic rose perfume.
Katia's perfume.
My stomach churned. He had just come from her. He hadn't even bothered to scrub her scent off his skin before coming home to play the devoted husband.
Anthony reached into his tuxedo pocket and pulled out a dark red velvet box.
He flipped the gold clasp open with one hand. Inside, resting on a bed of black silk, was a brilliant Cartier diamond panther necklace. The gems caught the vanity lights, throwing sharp, blinding sparks across the room.
My pupils contracted. I stared at the diamond panther, my breath catching in my throat.
Three days ago. Instagram. A "Close Friends" only post on Katia's page. I had seen the exact same necklace resting on her cheap, fake-tanned collarbone. As a former top-tier jewelry designer, I had a photographic memory for cuts and settings. It wasn't just similar. It was the exact same model.
Anthony lifted the necklace from the box. He stepped closer, reaching around my neck. The cold platinum chain settled against my warm skin.
A wave of intense nausea hit me. It felt like a freezing snake was wrapping around my throat, suffocating me.
His thumb deliberately brushed against my collarbone as he fastened the clasp. A violent shiver ran down my arms.
Anthony caught the shiver in the mirror. He smiled, his chest puffing out with arrogant pride, completely mistaking my physical revulsion for emotional overwhelming gratitude. He secured the clasp and patted my shoulder.
I forced myself to take a slow, shallow breath. I stretched my lips into a flawless, practiced smile.
"Thank you," I said. My voice came out slightly hoarse from the effort it took to keep it steady.
He kissed the top of my head. "Anything for you. Happy tenth anniversary, my love."
I stared at the multi-million-dollar jewelry in the mirror. It didn't look like a gift. It looked like a diamond-encrusted dog collar. A leash he bought to keep the boring wife quiet while he played with the shiny new toy.
Anthony pulled back and checked his wrist. The Patek Philippe gleamed under the lights. "We should get going. The car is waiting."
I stood up, smoothing down the heavy silk of my black evening gown. I had designed it myself in secret, a quiet return to the talent I had buried for this marriage.
Anthony didn't even look at the cut or the seams. He didn't recognize the craftsmanship. "Dress looks good. Fits well," he said dismissively, already turning toward the door. He never cared about my talent. To him, I was just a mannequin to hang his wealth on.
He paused at the door, looking back at me with eyes full of absolute control and dominance.
"Tonight is going to be special," Anthony said, a smug, secretive smile playing on his lips. "I've prepared a huge surprise for you at the gala."
My footsteps faltered for a fraction of a second. My heart began to pound against my ribs, a chaotic mix of intense fury and dark, electric anticipation.
I lifted my chin. I looked straight into his lying, arrogant eyes. My cold, clear gaze met his.
I walked forward and smoothly slipped my hand into the crook of his arm.
"Yes, the surprise is coming soon."
