CHAPTER 1

Catherine POV 

“Congratulations on your third marriage anniversary, Mrs. Moretti.”

The voice cheered as I forced out a polite smile, my hand clutched tightly against the stem of my glass. My gaze swept past the speaking guest to the massive hall bathed in black and gold decor that screamed luxury.

With the Morettis, it was always the best. New York’s richest CEO, old money, high class, and absolute power.

I forced out an even wider smile. “Thank you, Mrs. Willison.”

She grinned, then her gaze flicked to the empty space beside me. “I haven't seen Mr. Moretti yet. Don't tell me your husband is working during your anniversary?”

The surrounding guests shifted their eyes toward me, eagerly awaiting my reaction sadness, helplessness, fear. They expected me to show how this hurt.

I didn't give them the satisfaction.

“He got held up,” I said, my gaze dropping to the wine that glistened under the golden chandeliers.

“Oh,” she mouthed.

Just when I thought I could slip away, the large double doors of the hall swung wide open. I angled my head and froze at the sight.

My Six-foot-two broad shoulders husband fitted into a sharp black tuxedo, a chiseled jawline, and drop-dead features that could make any woman lose her mind. But that wasn't what made the guests go still in shock. It wasn't the fact that he was late to his own marriage anniversary, nor was it the fact that he looked like a Greek god out of a novel.

It was the fact that his hand was wrapped around another woman.

Not just another woman his childhood best friend. The woman all of New York called perfect for him.

Evelyn.

Hand in hand, they walked in like the power couple they wished they were. Every guest stepped back, staring.

I watched him search the crowd before his eyes landed on me. Only then did he unlink his hand from Evelyn's and walk over.

I forced a smile. “You finally came,” I muttered.

“Why wouldn't I come?” he said, his tone flat and icy, as if he were listing just another routine task.

I opened my mouth to speak, but a high-pitched voice cut me off. I turned my gaze fully, taking her in. Unlike the simple, backless cream gown I wore, she was dressed in a striking red gown that did nothing to hide her cleavage. A diamond necklace framed her neck and compared to her, I looked like nothing.

“Catherine, I hope you're not mad,” Evelyn spoke, her supposed whisper loud enough to be heard across the room. “Dominic would have been here sooner, but I hurt my ankle and he had to take care of me. I hope you're not angry.”

“Don't be silly. Catherine isn't petty, she understands,” Dominic chimed in.

“Yeah, I... do,” the lie scraped against my throat.

“I knew you were the best!” she beamed, spinning around, but her smile didn't stop the guests from whispering.

The next hour went by in a blur while I mingled with guests, plastering on fake smiles. Dominic spoke mostly with business partners alongside Evelyn. I couldn't help but notice that with every step and every conversation, she stayed glued to his side.

I drained my glass and just then, a hand shot out with a fresh drink. My eyes met the mocking grin holding it.

Evelyn.

“Happy marriage anniversary,” she smirked, shoving the glass closer. “Once again, I sincerely apologize that Dominic came late. It wasn't his fault, I just called him once and he came running. He loves me that much and I hope you don't mind about it. Dominic and I have always been friends and him having a wife still won't change that.”

“I am not angry,” I said, turning to leave, but she grabbed my wrist, her nails digging into my skin.

“Oh, come on, drop the act, Catherine,” she hissed, stepping closer. “You and I both know you're burning with rage. You want to slap me so badly tonight, but you can't because you're Dominic's docile little wife.” Her nails dug deeper. “You must be dying of jealousy that Dominic cares so much about me that he'd always come to me, we spend days and nights together.” Her words hit me hard. “. You forced your way into his life, and look at you now. You have the exact same importance as a piece of furniture in the villa.” Her eyes shone with malice as I tried to pry her fingers off my wrist. “Tsk. So sorry he loves me. You know I only called him once and he came, cradled me, and brushed his lips against my”

“Stop!” I screamed in disgust and shoved her away.

She staggered back and fell hard. The glass shattered against the floor, and the broken pieces sliced right into her delicate cheek.

“I said I'm sorry! I was just hurt, I didn't mean to make Dominic late! Please don't be angry!” Evelyn broke into ugly sob, her vicious look instantly replaced by that of a helpless victim.

Gasping murmurs rippled through the hall.

“I only said I'm sorry... I didn't mean to... I'm really sorry.”

“What are you”

“What the hell is going on here?” Dominic's deep voice boomed through the hall.

I lifted my eyes to look at him but he barely glanced my way. His gaze dropped straight to Evelyn who was weeping on the floor. At the sight of him, her crying intensified. She staggered toward him and collapsed into his arms.

“Please don't be angry at Catherine, she didn't mean to push me,” her voice trembled with fake concern. “She's your wife, so she's bound to get angry if you show me affection.”

Dominic turned his glare to me, and I shook my head.“That's not what happened, I...”

“Since when did you become this sick?” he growled, making me flinch. “Evelyn is just a friend, and you go around hurting her?”

“I... I didn't”

“Save your excuses! I have told you a thousand times, Evelyn is just a friend. Stop being a jealous wife! You already have the title of Mrs. Moretti, what else do you want?” he snapped, as Evelyn nestled herself deeper into his arms. “i told you to treat her like your sister, yet this is how you treat her when she returns? Since when did you become so vile?”

“Please don't shout at her, Dominic,” Evelyn cooed softly. “She must be insecure, probably because she knows that without your marriage, she's a nobody. She's afraid you'll leave her.”

“She's lying!” I screamed, taking a step toward her.

I barely took a third step before Dominic stepped between us. His face was so cold, so distant, my entire body went limp.

“Dominic, she's lying, I..” My voice cut off when his hand reached out and shoved me backward.

“I already told you that you are my wife, Catherine. That is not going to change, so don't pull this stunt. It's pathetic, even for you.”

A tear slipped down my face. “Y... you don't believe me?”

“What is there to believe? You are humiliating the Moretti name.”

I went numb, my heart shattering at his words.

He pushed me again as I staggered backward, falling hard to the floor. My knees pressed directly into the sharp shards of broken glass. I opened my mouth to scream, but no sound came out as pain exploded up my legs.

I watched him turn and carry Evelyn out. I watched until they were out of sight, tears blurring my vision.

I raised my head, staring at the guests who looked down at me, most with disgust while the rest with pity.

I didn't say a word. I pulled myself up, ignoring the agonizing pain shooting through my body as trails of blood dripped down my legs. I limped out of the hall and toward the stairs.

“Madam!” a waiter said, rushing toward me with a box of first aid. “You're bleeding! Should we call an ambulance?”

I shook my head, letting him guide me into one of the private rooms. I stepped into the bathroom and began pulling out the glass shards, biting back the pain.

The glass cut deep, but Dominic’s words cut even deeper. 

It has always been like this. Always her. Always his precious childhood friend.

I dropped the shards into the sink, my head hung low as tears poured down my face. I tried to hold it in, trying to tell myself it was okay that he was just angry, that he didn't know the truth. But those words felt hollow now. The ache inside my chest was unbearable, making me gag.

I tossed the cotton roll aside and fixed my face until I looked a little less miserable and stepped out of the room and walked down the endless hallway. 

Just then, a familiar voice caught my attention. My steps came to a halt, and my gaze shifted to a door that wasn't fully closed.

I turned to walk away, but the sound came again.

It was Dominic.

A chill swept through my spine and i steadied myself, my finger groaned through the knob, the cold metal stung my palm. 

I pushed the door open, my gaze swept over the dimly lit up room until it landed on a figure on the couch.

I froze, my finger slipped from the knob, my eyes widened for a fraction at the sights before me. The sight of….

Of him

Of Dom

My Dom wrapped around another woman's arms, his lips on hers.

My world collapsed, and buried me in its ruins.