Novels by Talia Steele

I leaned back on the couch, one hand resting unconsciously on my stomach. "I'm taking my life back.""You already have more money than most people will ever see.""And you still have your reputation," I replied. "Your father. Your companies. Your future. You never once lost any of it."There was a tense pause on the line."Is there another man?" he asked suddenly.A laugh slipped out before I could stop it. "You really can't imagine me standing on my own, can you?"He let out a low, derisive chuckle. "I'll look forward to seeing how long you last on your own. Don't bother crawling back. I won't accept you."Crawling back? He really thought that highly of himself.What the hell did he think he was?My mind was made up. I was done waiting here like a fool while he enjoyed his life with other women. I just needed to make a call, and I’d get the hell out. I was going to resume my career. It was time to stop being the pathetic bride.“Don’t worry,” I said, my voice cold. “I’m not some desp

I folded my hands and watched him check the screen. The moment he saw the caller ID, his whole expression softened, like someone had turned on a light inside him, a light I hadn’t seen in months.He answered immediately.A female voice came through, shaky and dramatic. “Max… I think I sprained my ankle. Are you coming tonight? I’m so scared.”Selene.My throat tightened so fast I couldn’t breathe.Maxwell didn’t respond right away. He looked at me first, and in that look I saw it clearly: he wasn’t guilty, or ashamed, or even sorry. He looked annoyed. My presence was an inconvenience, a problem standing between him and the woman he actually wanted.Then he turned away and spoke into the phone, his voice instantly gentle.“Stay where you are,” he said softly. “I’ll be there now.”The words hit me like a slap.I didn’t understand why it hurt so much. I should have been used to it by now. I should have been numb. But watching him care for her, hearing the tenderness in his voice the same

“So you called a lawyer because of this?” Maxwell asked, his voice tight with anger.His hands were clenched into fists at his sides, and his jaw looked like it could crack from how hard he was holding it. The funny thing was that he looked offended, like I had done something unforgivable, like I was the one who betrayed him.I should have been excited today. I should have been holding my pregnancy test in my hands, smiling like a fool, waiting for the perfect moment to tell my husband that I was carrying his children. Twins. Two tiny lives that had already started growing inside me without anyone’s permission.But instead of joy, I was standing in front of him with divorce papers on the table, while his mistress sat comfortably in my home like she belonged there.What else did he expect me to do?I had suspected his cheating long before today, but I kept lying to myself because I didn’t want to believe the truth. It started with calls from friends who sounded excited and happy for m

"You should sign quickly." Her eyes stayed on me, her tone both sweet and cruel. "Dragging this out is pointless."My throat burned with words I couldn't say. With screams I couldn't release.Something inside me snapped.I stood up and stepped forward before I could stop myself, grabbed a fistful of her hair, and yanked hard.She screamed."What the hell are you doing?" Maxwell's voice cut through the room, finally showing some emotion."Get the fuck out of my house." I dragged her off the couch arm. "And take my nightgown off your damn body."She clawed at my hands, crying, swearing, calling me crazy. I didn't stop until I pulled her out of the house and shoved her onto the ground outside. She stumbled, catching herself on the gravel.Maxwell moved fast then, wrapping his robe around her shaking shoulders and pulling her away from me."That's enough!" His bark echoed in the night air."No." My voice came out calm. "That's marriage."He stared at me like he didn't recognize me. Good.

The house was silent when I came back. I expected to hear footsteps or the sound of dishes. Usually, his assistant would be on the phone. But tonight the silence was heavy.I took off my shoes at the door. I was tired down to my bones. The business trip had been exhausting, three days of presentations, negotiations, and smiling until my face ached. All of it to secure a deal that would reflect well on him, on his company, on the carefully constructed image of our marriage.My head was aching. I knew this feeling well as the beginning of one of my episodes. I looked for my medicine in my bag, then paused."Shit," I had forgotten to take my morning dose, but the afternoon dose I usually never miss.I decided to wait until I changed. I wanted to wash off the day and let myself pretend, just for a moment, that this house felt like home.I walked up the stairs. The wood was rare and very costly. All of it was pretty but cold. The hall was full of silver frames. One of them was our wedding