LOGIN~Sandra~The next morning, I stood in front of the full-length mirror in my dressing room, constructing my armor.I chose a sharp, tailored black blazer dress that hugged every curve, paired with sky-high red bottom heels and thick, dark designer sunglasses. I painted my lips a fiery crimson. I didn't look like the meek, pastel-wearing wife Liam had bullied for years. I looked like a woman who was coming to take back everything that belonged to her.Just as I reached for my leather handbag on the vanity, my phone began to vibrate violently against the glass.I glanced at the screen, and my breath caught in my throat.Incoming Call: Kitty.My chest squeezed with a painful mixture of guilt and longing. Kitty was my best friend…. my only true friend. We had been inseparable since our early years of school, but I hadn't spoken a single word to her since before my anniversary night.When I first discovered that Liam was cheating on me, the shame and devastation had swallowed me whole. I c
~Sandra~That night, I lay motionless in the dark, watching the silhouette of my husband tossing and turning beside me.Liam was completely unraveled, his breathing shallow and erratic as he churned in our king-sized bed, and a quiet, vicious sense of pride settled deep in my chest.I had done that to him. My performance at his family's dinner table had stripped away his arrogant composure, and nothing could take that satisfaction away from me.Yet, as I stared at the ceiling, my mind betrayed me, drifting to Ryan.And at the memory of him, a knot of hot frustration twisted in my stomach.I was furious at Ryan for blackmailing me, for using his leverage to force me into his web. But what terrified me even more was the dark, traitorous reality of my own body.When Ryan had touched me in the kitchen, my skin had burned with a scalding, illicit heat. Part of me, a reckless, selfish part wanted to burn everything down and just take the forbidden pleasure he offered. But the logical, survi
~Liam~I couldn't sleep that night… not after the stunt that Sandra pulled earlier this evening. I paced the floor of our bedroom, my hands trembling as I repeatedly ran them through my hair.Every time I looked at Sandra lying on the bed, a cold knot of dread tightened in my stomach. What the hell was she doing? Why was she acting so different?!The quiet, meek, compliant woman I had married years ago… the woman who never raised her voice, who always wore the conservative pastel dresses I picked for her, who smiled politely and said nothing— was not the woman I saw tonight.In her place was a woman in a scandalously tight red dress who had casually humiliated my parents and ripped me to shreds at the dinner table last night.What the hell was going on?!Suddenly… my phone buzzed on the nightstand, making me jump out of my skin. I snatched it up, my heart hammering against my ribs as I saw the caller ID.Family lawyer.I quickly stepped toward the bathroom, keeping my voice down to a
~Sandra~Ryan didn't get angry. Instead, his smirk widened into a breathtaking, dangerous smile. His dark eyes locked onto mine, with a silent, burning warning flashing in their depths: You’re playing with fire, sweetheart.And the realization sent a shiver down my spine.“I need to use the restroom,” I said smoothly, standing up from the table. My crimson dress flowed around my legs as I turned on my heel and walked out of the suffocating dining room.I walked down the long, quiet hallway and pushed open the door to the secondary kitchen near the back of the estate. I was too wired to find the restroom right now.The room was cool and empty. I walked over to the marble island counter, leaning against it and pouring myself a large glass of ice water. My heart was pounding frantically against my ribs, adrenaline singing through my veins.I actually did it, I thought, with a wild, breathless laugh bubbling up in my chest. I actually spoke back to them for the first time in my life.Sudd
~Sandra~The dining room was huge and centered around a long mahogany table set with fine crystal and silver.Arthur sat at the head of the table, with Eleanor to his right. Liam sat next to his mother, looking pale and completely terrified every time I moved. I sat directly across from Liam.And right next to me…. Now sat Ryan. The black sheep of the family.Ryan looked lethal in an unbuttoned black dress shirt and dark blazer.The moment I had walked into the room, his dark eyes had locked onto my dress, before burning a long path down my neck and waist… with a slow, highly amused smirk playing on his lips.A maid served the first course; a delicate seafood soup.For the first ten minutes, the table was tense. Arthur cleared his throat, adjusting his glasses as he looked at me across the table.“So, Sandra,” Arthur began, his tone patronizing and heavy with superiority. “Liam tells me you’ve been spending your days reorganizing the house. It must be very peaceful having no real resp
~Sandra~Liam wanted me to put on a show for his family tonight?Fine.I was going to give him, Ryan, and the entire fucked up family a ginormous performance none of them would ever live to forget.That was the plan!A few hours later, I held my chosen dress up against my body, staring at my reflection in the full-length mirror.It was a vibrant, deep crimson dress. The fabric was silky, clinging tightly to every curve before falling all the way to the floor. The front had a low neckline, but the back was completely open, exposing my skin all the way down to my lower waist.I had styled my hair in sleek, glossy waves, and painted my lips with a dark, bold red lipstick.I looked breathtaking. But I also looked like a complete stranger.A wave of intense doubt suddenly washed over me. My hands started shaking as I smoothed down the silk over my hips.Maybe this is too much, I thought, my heart thumping nervously against my ribs. Maybe I’m overdoing it. This isn't who I am. I don't wear







