All Chapters of The Angel's Den: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Wilhemina-“Thank you again, Mrs. Saldini. The children’s wing wouldn’t have reached its fundraising goal without your support. And please, give our regards to your husband.”I smiled.The same practiced smile I had perfected over the last three years. Warm. Elegant. Gracious. The smile of a happy wife. A loving wife. A dutiful wife.The kind of smile that whispered, Look at us. Central-Bay’s most prominent couple. Aren’t we perfect?If only they knew.“Of course.” I reached out and squeezed the charity director’s hand. “Emilio was disappointed he couldn’t attend today, but the Saldini Foundation will continue supporting the hospital however we can.”Another lie. Emilio hadn’t been disappointed. He hadn’t even remembered the event was today.Still, cameras flashed as I stepped away from the podium, my cream-colored heels clicking against the marble floor. Behind me hung an enormous banner thanking the Rucci-Saldini Foundation for its generous donation to the children’s oncology wing.

Wilhemina-So here I was...sitting at bar at probably one of the most exclusive clubs in all of Central-Bay after receiving a slew of text messages that fucked my night up.I'd decided to turn in early this evening rather than once again sulk another anniversary away. Little did I know I would be receiving messages starring my ever so dutiful husband.I stared at the messages for what seemed to be an eternity. My eyes swollen with tears. But then...something interesting happened.Shock turned to hurt....hurt turned to pain...and pain turned into hatred and revenge. Revenge for the three years I've been trapped in this bottomless pit. Revenge for the all the years I've been used as a commodity instead of a person. And revenge for all the fucking humiliation I've had to endure.Deena's words suddenly rang louder in my ear. Treat yourself Wilhelmina...you deserve it.So I went....went to the one place I was told can give me just that....The Angel's Den.My fingers trembled around the edg

Wilhemina-The moment I stepped through the glass doors of R&S Holdings, I became someone else.Not Emilio Saldini’s unwanted wife. Not Alfredo Rucci’s obedient daughter. And definitely not the woman who had spent the better part of the morning thinking about a masked stranger.Here, I was in control.“Good morning, Mrs. Saldini.”“Morning.”Clara fell into step beside me before I reached the elevators, tablet already in hand.“Your nine-thirty conference was moved to ten. Legal sent the revised contracts for the development site, Finance needs your approval on the fourth-quarter projections, and the board meeting is still scheduled for two-thirty.”“Festival?”“Nearly eighty percent of the sponsorship packages are filled.”“Nearly?”Clara sighed.“I knew you were going to say that.”I smiled as the elevator doors opened.“Then you know what to do.”“Yes, ma’am.”By the time I entered my office, thoughts of Emilio, Yazmin, and my mysterious Angel had been shoved somewhere into the bac

Wilhemina-“Before we end tonight…”Antonio Cappelli rose from his chair, champagne glass in hand. The dining hall gradually quieted as his gaze settled on Stephanie first.“My daughter.” His voice softened. “From the moment you were born, I knew eventually there would come a day when another man would become the person you turned to before me.”Stephanie’s eyes immediately filled.Beside me, Sara whispered, “Five.”I bit back a laugh. Antonio looked toward Marco.“Take care of her. Respect her. Protect her. But above everything else…never make her regret choosing you.”Marco nodded solemnly.“I won’t.”Antonio smiled.“Then welcome to my family, son.”Applause erupted. Stephanie cried. Marco kissed her forehead. It was beautiful. Sweet. But was it bullshit? God, I hoped not. Because I remembered the beautiful things my father and Emilio’s parents had said when I married him.Two families becoming one.A lifetime of prosperity.An unbreakable union.May you always honor one another.W

Wilhemina-“Where. The. Fuck. Have. You. Been?”My heart pounded as Emilio stared at me. What did he know? Had someone seen me? Had he followed me?Fuck!I forced my expression to remain calm.“I was at work.”“Bullshit!”His shout echoed through the foyer. I flinched.“I went to your fucking office today, Wilhemina!”My stomach dropped. What? His jaw clenched.“I felt guilty about what happened at the wedding. So I decided to come take you to lunch.”I stared at him.“You?”“Yes, me!” He laughed bitterly. “Imagine how fucking stupid I looked when your receptionist told me you’d taken the entire day off.”Ah. Shit.“So I'll ask you again.” He stepped closer. “Where were you?”I opened my mouth.“And don't even think about saying you were with Deena. I already had one of my men verify she was at the hospital all day.”My brows tightened.“You had your goons checking on my friend?! What the fuck is wrong with you?”“With me?” His eyes widened. “What about you? You lied! You sat across f