บททั้งหมดของ The Forsaken Wife's Empire: บทที่ 41 - บทที่ 50

(Mason’s POV)As soon as Patricia stood up and began walking toward the door, I followed her immediately. My heart was pounding so hard it felt like it would explode. Was this some kind of dream? A terrible dream I’d wake up from the next morning?How was this even possible? Patricia was now the president of Smithfield Global, and also the biggest shareholder in our company. Literally the most powerful person in the entire building. How?So the initials “P.A.” actually meant Patricia Addison? God. How did I miss that? She’d hidden her identity so perfectly, I could never have guessed that the quiet woman I once knew was actually the president of Smithfield. And now, she looked like a completely different person. Her eyes burned like fire, her expression was cold and merciless. She looked even fiercer than the last time I saw her at the hotel. “James, I want everything in this office replaced. I can’t work here if it keeps smelling like that man,” Patricia was saying, then she stoppe

(Patricia’s POV) I knocked again, louder this time. Still nothing. A wave of panic shot through me. Without another thought, I pushed the door open... And froze. Raymond had just stepped out of the bathroom, wearing nothing but a white towel hanging low around his waist. Water still dripped down his chest, tracing over his skin and disappearing under the towel. I swallowed hard, my heart beating fast. Before I knew it. My eyes had already started moving over his body, taking in his broad, strong shoulders. The muscles in his arms were tight, and veins ran down to his hands, making them look both powerful and steady. Then my eyes dropped to his chest, catching the firm lines of his abs and the soft curls of hair across it. God, he looked so effortlessly masculine. My fingers tightened around my handbag as my eyes traveled lower... I didn’t even realize how long I’d been staring until his voice snapped me back. “Patricia?” My head shot up too quickly. My heart raced, and a wav

(Mason’s POV)Patricia looked beautiful in the picture. Her smile stretched wide, and it made my heart skip a beat. This was the woman I married, but now, that smile only existed in photographs.My eyes moved down, and I noticed the dress she was wearing. It was one of her favorites. I remembered how stunning she always looked in it.But when Rose wanted that same dress, I had no choice but to ask Patricia to give it to her. My brows furrowed as that memory flashed through my mind... so clearly, it felt like it happened just yesterday.Flashback >>>>>Rose was five months pregnant with Liam then. She was completely obsessed with Patricia’s fashion sense, always wanting whatever Patricia had. When she pointed at that dress, I didn’t have much of a choice. I took it from Patricia and promised I’d replace it. She hated it, like she always did, and she even cried that evening.“Why are you taking everything you once bought for me and giving it to her?” Patricia asked, her voice breaking

(Raymond’s POV)Patricia followed quietly as we walked out to the balcony. I poured the wine into both glasses and handed one to her.“Thank you,” she whispered softly as she took the glass from me.I smiled and sat on the chair across from her. For a moment, neither of us said a word. The air felt calm but heavy. I sat there, holding my glass, stealing glances at her. Our eyes met a few times, but she always looked away quickly.“So,” I finally said, breaking the silence, “how did it go today? I mean… the meeting at Bedford Corporation?”She looked at me, a small smile forming on her lips. I already knew how it went, but I still wanted to hear it from her.“It was perfect,” she said softly, her smile widening. “Just perfect.”“As perfect as you, huh?” The words slipped out before I could stop them.My heart skipped a beat. Damn it. I hadn’t meant to say that out loud. It was something I usually kept to myself. But this time, Patricia heard it clearly.For a few seconds, everything we

(Patricia’s POV)The footsteps grew louder and louder until I felt someone right behind me. My heart jumped, and I spun around quickly. James froze too, startled by my reaction. My heart wouldn’t stop racing, it felt like my soul had just left my body. That was creepy.“Are you okay, ma’am?” he asked, worry clear on his face.I let out a deep, shaky breath, my eyes scanning around the parking lot. What was that just now? I could’ve sworn someone was following me, but why were they hiding? Who could it be? Or was I just imagining things?“Ma’am?” James’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts.I swallowed hard, trying to steady my breath. “I think someone was following me.”“Someone?” James repeated, frowning as he looked around the lot.“I heard footsteps…” I said quietly, my throat dry. “But when I turned, no one was there.”James blinked, still tense, and scanned the area again. Maybe it was nothing. Maybe I was just overthinking. I really hoped so.“I’m sorry,” he said. “I shouldn’t