Chapter 1

Serena Quinn's breath hitched, and a flicker of pain appeared in her eyes. "Do you still resent me? I just wanted you to apologize to Henry back then. I never actually meant to throw you into the ocean. Who knew you would jump in…

"Jonas, it's been a year. Haven't I been patient enough with you? How much longer are you going to keep this up?"

Jonas Black snorted. "Serena, don't give yourself too much credit. If you feel wronged and want someone to comfort you, go to Henry. Stop bothering me."

"Jonas!" His indifference only fueled Serena's anger. "I risked my life to bring you back because I wanted us to live a good life together. But look at you now. You blow through money, spend all your time partying, and you don't even take care of Erica. Do you even remember that I'm your wife?"

Jonas had actually wanted to be a good husband. To help Serena with her business, he drank until his stomach bled. But the profits from that deal couldn't even cover the cost of the high-end luxury watch she had bought for Henry Lane.

"Then let's get a divorce. Go find someone you'll be happy with."

Serena trembled with anger.

Just then, the butler, Adam Chastain, called. "Mr. Black, I have horrible news. Mr. Lane… burned all of Mr. George's photo albums, and he threw his portrait into the toilet!"

A loud buzz filled Jonas' head. He sprang up from the couch and rushed out of the private room.

When he got home, he saw the albums that had been burned to ashes in the brazier.

Henry was in the bathroom. When he saw Jonas, he planted his foot on George Black's portrait and ground it under his heel. He flashed a provocative smile at Jonas, then bent to pick up the soiled photo.

He shook it and lifted it above the toilet bowl.

"Give it back!" Jonas' eyes turned red with rage as he lunged forward.

But just before his fingers could reach it, Henry let go.

The portrait fell into the toilet, and the frame struck the inside of the bowl, shattering the glass instantly. The toilet water soaked the photograph.

Jonas' mind went blank. He dropped to his knees, his hands trembling as he carefully took George's portrait out of the toilet bowl.

Henry's gloating voice came from behind him. "Oh, I'm so sorry. My hands slipped."

Jonas spun around and slammed his fist into Henry's face. Then he grabbed a sharp shard of glass from the broken frame and drove it toward Henry's throat.