Novels by Mira Sterling

Maverick’s POVThe first thing I noticed after Patricia left......was how quiet the house had become.I sat at my desk in the home office, staring at the dark wood surface where her daily cup of coffee usually sat every morning. It was six o'clock, the time she would normally walk in wearing one of those simple dresses, asking if I slept well.I told myself I had made the right choice. A man in my position could not afford a security risk, especially not when billions of dollars in company patents were at stake.I threw myself completely into work, spending eighteen hours a day at the office to keep my mind off the empty master bedroom. I ignored the strange feeling in my chest every time I saw her spot on the couch sitting bare.Four days after she walked out into the rain, my head of corporate security, Marcus, knocked on my office door at headquarters."Mr. Anderson," Marcus said, his face pale as he set a thick tablet down on my desk. "We finished tracing the external IP address

Patricia’s POVI thought the worst day of my life had already happened.I was wrong.I dragged my single black suitcase down the long, quiet driveway of the Anderson mansion, the heavy iron gates shutting behind me with a loud metal click. I didn't look back at the massive house once, even though the cold night rain was already soaking through my coat and plastering my hair to my face.Everything I had known for the last five years was gone in less than an hour. My marriage, my home, and the entire future I had spent years imagining in my head had completely vanished into thin air.I was walking down the long access road toward the main street to call a cab, my body numb, when a sudden, violent wave of dizziness hit me right in the head.The wet pavement seemed to tilt sideways under my boots. My chest felt tight, a sharp wave of hot nausea washing over my throat so fast I couldn't breathe.My legs completely gave out, and I collapsed onto the cold asphalt, my knees hitting the ground

Patricia’s POVThere are moments when your entire life changes before your brain can catch up."Maverick, I have no idea what these papers are," I said, my hands shaking as I picked up one of the printed sheets from the table. "I have never seen these files in my life. You know I don't touch anything related to your company.""Your digital signature is right there on the authorization page, Patricia," Maverick said, his voice cold and sharp enough to cut through glass. "The leak came from a device logged into our home network using your personal access code.""I didn't do it!" I yelled, my voice cracking as panic clawed at my throat. "Why would I ever leak your company's patents to a rival? I am your wife!""That is what makes this so pathetic," he sneered, taking a step closer to me. "You thought you could use corporate espionage to get my attention? Or maybe you just wanted a massive payout in case things went south between us."Every sentence I said felt completely pointless becaus

Patricia’s POVBy breakfast the next morning, it already felt like I was the guest.I walked down the stairs around eight o'clock, expecting the house to be quiet like it usually was before Maverick left for the office. Instead, the smell of fresh coffee and cooked pastries hit me before I even reached the bottom step.When I stepped into the kitchen, Darbie was already standing behind the island, wearing one of Maverick's oversized white button-down shirts with the sleeves rolled up. She was laughing as she poured coffee into a mug, totally at home in my space.Maverick was sitting at the breakfast table, his laptop open, but his eyes were on her. I had not seen him look that relaxed in months."Oh, good morning, Patricia!" Darbie called out, giving me a bright, cheerful smile like she was the hostess welcoming a late visitor. "I hope we didn't wake you. I just knew Maverick needed his double espresso with two sugars before his nine o'clock meeting, so I made it for him."My fingers

Patricia’s POVI didn't know today would be the day my five year marriage began to fall apart.Five years of marriage had taught me not to expect much from Maverick Anderson, but today was our anniversary. I thought if there was one day he might choose me over work... surely it would be today. I got out of bed before six, making sure not to wake him up as he slept on his side of our king-sized bed. He looked so peaceful when he was asleep, his sharp jawline looking a little softer against the white pillows.I quietly slipped down to the kitchen and decided to make breakfast myself instead of letting the housekeepers do it. I wanted today to feel normal, like we were just a regular married couple who actually liked each other.I made his favorite scrambled eggs, crisp bacon, and black coffee just the way he liked it.While the coffee was brewing, I stood by the counter and thought about the last five years of my life. Maverick was never the kind of man who showed a lot of emotion.He