He married me to keep his empire from slipping through his fingers.

A sudden, sharp vibration in my coat pocket made me jump.

My phone screen lit up, illuminating the dark bathroom with a harsh blue light.

It was a text from Elias.

*Where are you? We have the merger dinner tomorrow night. Be ready.*

I stared at the screen, my heart hammering against my chest.

Downstairs, the heavy front door clicked open, and the security system beeped twice to signal someone had entered.

I shoved the paper back into the envelope, my fingers trembling against the heavy parchment.

The floorboards outside the bathroom creaked, a slow, heavy step that I knew too well.

I slipped my phone into my pocket, grabbed my purse from the marble counter, and held my breath.

The master bedroom door opened.

I stepped behind the frosted glass of the shower stall, pressing my back against the cold tile.

“Ava?” Elias’s voice called out, sounding more irritated than concerned.

I heard him walk toward the walk-in closet, his footsteps fading as he moved away from the bathroom.

I didn’t hesitate.