Chapter 1

During a raging hurricane, my husband called claiming his chest was seizing up and demanded I rush medication to his office immediately.

I was bedridden with a burning fever, so my mother-in-law, terrified for her son, insisted on going instead.

On the way, a high-voltage utility pole collapsed and crushed her.

"Shelby, take the pills... get them to Zach..."

With her dying breath, she pressed the bottle into my trembling hands.

Swallowing my tears, I dragged myself through the storm to his corporate headquarters.

Instead of an emergency, I walked in on my husband casually flirting with his female secretary, giggling over a parlor drinking game.

"Come on, Zachy! If nobody shows up, you lose the bet," she purred.

Zach chuckled arrogantly.

"Relax, babe. Even if the sky falls, either my wife or her mother will crawl here on their knees."

Rage exploded in my chest, and I burst in. "You faked a medical emergency? Do you have any idea Mom was in a fatal accident trying to bring you this medicine?"

Zach glanced at the muddy, tear-stained pill bottle and knocked it straight into the trash with utter disgust.

"I am in the middle of closing a deal, so get lost. When I have free time, maybe I will drop by the hospital to see your mom."

I laughed out loud through my tears.

Fine. Let us see if you can stay this smug once you realize the mother lying in the morgue is your own!

1

"Zach Holt! You faked a heart attack?"

My entire body went numb with fury. "Do you realize Mom was in a horrific accident trying to get this medicine to you?"

My husband scowled with deep annoyance.

"Stop using your mom to guilt-trip me. Do you ever get tired of the same pathetic routine?"

Without hesitation, he shoved me toward the office door.

"I am busy right now. When I have time, maybe I will swing by the hospital to check on her."

"Stop embarrassing yourself in front of my staff. Go home."

Busy? Embarrassing?

Busy playing footsie with his secretary?

For this cheap, trashy game, his own mother paid with her life!

Tears stung my eyes, and my hand flew across his face with a sharp crack.

"I am embarrassing? You selfish bastard, Mom died for you―"

Zach stumbled back in shock.

It was the first time I had ever laid a hand on him.

Without missing a beat, his hand whipped back and struck me across the jaw.

He grabbed a fistful of my hair, dragging me ruthlessly toward the hallway.

"Have you lost your damn mind? Get the hell out of my building!"

Humiliated in front of his employees, he dragged me by the roots of my hair.

The agonizing pain made my vision blur with black spots, cutting off my breath.

Desperate to break free, I sank my teeth hard into his wrist.

Zach yelled in pain, letting go, and raised his palm to strike me again.

Just then, Yasmin Clark rushed over and pulled me back with exaggerated concern.

"I am so sorry, Shelby! It is all my fault for being clumsy and losing the bet. Zach just didn't want me to take the drinking penalty, so he made that prank call."

Her voice dripped with mock remorse, but the smug triumph in her eyes was unmistakable.

"We never thought you would actually risk a Category 4 hurricane just to play the dutiful wife."

"So for a pathetic little game, you risked our lives?" I snapped.

Yasmin's eyes flickered with contempt before she squeezed out crocodile tears.

"Zachy, I told you Shelby would make a scene. Now she won't even accept my apology... What should I do? Boo-hoo."

She cowered dramatically, burying herself into my husband's chest.

Zach shoved me hard onto the cold tile floor and glared down at me.

"It was just a harmless bet! Why the hell are you throwing a tantrum like a lunatic? Nobody forced you to drive out here. Do you lack common sense?"

"Every single day it is life and death with you, always using family to manipulate me! Marrying you was the biggest mistake of my life!"

"If you cannot handle a joke, get the hell out of my sight!"

After barking at me, he softened his tone instantly, playing the gallant knight to his precious damsel.

"Yasmin, are you okay? Don't be scared, I am right here."

Yasmin nestled deeper into his arms like a frightened little rabbit, whimpering softly.

"Zachy, please don't fight with Shelby because of me. It is all my fault. If hitting me makes her feel better, let her do it. She probably just hates me because I am your secretary..."

Her pathetic act triggered his twisted protective instinct, making him treat her like the love of his life.

Zach snapped his head back toward me. "Apologize to Yasmin right now, or you can forget about being Mrs. Holt."

A flicker of pure joy sparked in Yasmin's eyes as she lightly tugged his sleeve.

"Zachy, don't be rash. It doesn't matter how she treats me, as long as Shelby is happy."

Zach shot me a venomous look before whispering tenderly to the woman in his arms.

"You are too kind for your own good, Yasmin. Unlike her, you actually care about my feelings."

"She only came here to create drama. If I ever had a real emergency, having you by my side is more than enough. If I had to wait for her, I would already be dead."