I cried silently into my pillow, tears soaking through the fabric. Beside me, Brian slept like a baby, smiling faintly—probably dreaming of a good time with his happy little family again. I stared at that lying face and any love I had left curdled into pure hatred.
Brian Roger, you think you can hide this from me? I, Claudia Stark, am not a woman to be trifled with.
I slipped out of bed, padded to the study and opened my laptop. As the heiress of Stark Industries, I had more than enough resources to destroy him. But first, I needed to find out exactly who Vanessa O’Hara was. A private investigator gave me the details within hours.
Vanessa O’Hara, 23. Fresh graduate from a third-rate university. Currently a receptionist at Brian’s company. Parents were blue-collar workers. In short—an ambitious nobody, desperate to climb her way up by seducing other women’s husbands.
The more I read, the worse it became. She’d joined Brian’s company six months after our wedding. Which meant she’d had her eyes on a married man from the start.
What a conniving little tramp.
***
The next morning, Brian woke me gently, the same as always.
“Breakfast is ready,” he said, kissing my forehead. “I’ve got an important client meeting today, might be home late.”
I forced a smile. “Okay. Do your best at work.”
A flicker of suspicion crossed his eyes—maybe he hadn’t expected me to not put up a fight.
“And, uh, I might be busy the next few days too. Don’t overthink, okay?”
“Got it,” I said sweetly, while laughing bitterly inside. Busy playing family man at prenatal appointments, more like.
As soon as Brian left, I drove straight to his office. As one of their partners, I had every excuse to be there. The moment I stepped into the lobby, I saw her. Sitting at the reception desk.
Vanessa O’Hara looked even fresher in person—long hair, bright eyes, innocence painted all over her face. The type of girl no one would ever suspect of seducing a married man.
“Good morning. Who are you here to see?” she asked with a sweet smile.
“I’m here for Brian,” I said, casually studying her. The loose blouse couldn’t hide her small but noticeable baby bump.
“Mr. Roger is in a meeting. And you are…?”
“Claudia… Roger.” I let the name linger in the air.
Instantly, her face drained of color. Of course she knew me — I’m Brian’s lawful wife.
“Very well, M-Mrs. Roger. Please wait, I’ll notify him right away.” She snatched up the phone.