"What about me?!" His voice climbed several notches. "You said you'd put both our names on it! I've been a live-in husband all this time. This is the only security I have. You can't just cross my name out like that!"

I lifted my gaze and let it cut right through him. "Morton Finley. So you do remember you're a live-in husband."

He went rigid.

"I gave you respect. I gave you status. I gave you a platform. Not so you could take what's mine and use it to win over another woman."

A cold smile touched my lips. "I'll chalk today up to a lapse in judgment. If there's a next time, we'll be filing for divorce."

After the paperwork was finalized, I didn't bother with Morton. I took the property deed that belonged to me and drove to the villa.

The moment my car pulled up to the front gate, I frowned.

Women's clothes hung drying in the courtyard. Someone had clearly been living here for a while.

I pulled out my phone to call the realtor, but before I could, the front door swung open.

Sapphire Parsons strolled out in a pretty little sundress, taking her sweet time. The second she spotted me, her eyes lit up.

"You're here to deliver the deed, right? Mr. Finley really is a man of his word. He gave me the house."

I stood there, caught between disbelief and dark amusement.

I ignored her gloating and walked straight into the villa.

I had no interest in arguing with her. My gaze drifted slowly across the living room.

Matching couple's throw pillows were tossed on the couch. A pair of his-and-hers mugs sat on the coffee table. Even the drying rack on the balcony held pajamas that were obviously a couple's set.

And that dress she was wearing—the longer I looked, the more familiar it became.

They were last year's castoffs—pieces I'd gotten bored with and had my assistant donate.

Sapphire saw me walk straight inside and rushed to block my path. "Are you here to deliver the property deed?"

"Who let you in? Let me tell you something—Mr. Finley bought this house for me. If you don't get out, I'm calling security to drag you out right now!"

I let out a cold laugh, pulled the marriage certificate from my bag, and tossed it onto the table.

"See for yourself. Find out who I am."

Sapphire glanced down. For a second, she froze. Then a mocking sneer twisted her face, and she swung her hand hard across my cheek.