The Jilted Wife's Ruthless Wall Street Return

The sterile cold of the Manhattan private hospital hit Adriene Rodgers the second the elevator doors slid open. She stepped onto the top floor, her fingers tightening around the handle of the insulated thermos. The metal dug into her skin, but she barely felt it. Her heart was beating too fast, hammering against her ribs with a sickening rhythm. Dallin had been in a car accident. The call had nearly stopped her breathing.

She pulled her trench coat tighter around her waist, the chill of the air conditioning seeping through the fabric. She walked down the quiet corridor, her soft-soled shoes making no sound against the polished floor.

At the end of the hall, two large bodyguards stood talking in hushed tones. They were facing the window, their backs to the blind spot along the wall. Adriene pressed herself closer to the edge, slipping past their line of sight. She wanted to surprise Dallin. She wanted to see his face, to know he was truly safe, before the staff announced her arrival.

She reached the heavy oak door of the VIP suite. Her hand hovered over the brass handle. She was just about to push it open when a sliver of harsh white light from the crack in the door caught her eye. She paused.

From inside, Dallin's voice drifted out. It was low. It was not the warm, lingering tone he used when he kissed her forehead every morning. It was cold. It sounded like ice cracking. Adriene's eyebrows drew together.

"Is the press release ready?"

It was Pax Keller, Dallin's lead attorney. Adriene held her breath. Why was Pax here in the middle of the night talking about press releases?

"The scandal is contained," Pax said, his voice tight. "But burying Elaina's name in this mess cost us a fortune. The media was seconds away from finding out she was in the car with you."

Adriene's stomach violently twisted. A sharp, physical ache bloomed just below her ribs. Elaina. His late brother's widow.

Dallin let out a short, humorless laugh. "I don't care what it costs. As long as Elaina's reputation remains spotless, pay them whatever they want."

The words felt like a bucket of ice water poured directly over Adriene's head. Her fingers went numb.

"And what about Adriene?" Pax asked. "How do you explain this to your wife?"

"Adriene is exactly what I need her to be," Dallin said, his voice dripping with casual disdain. "A perfect social shield."

Adriene's hand jerked. The metal handle of the thermos snapped sharply against her palm, the sudden pain biting into her flesh. She almost gasped.

Outside the window, a massive crack of thunder shook the glass, drowning out the sharp intake of air that tore through Adriene's throat.

"Her flashy personality draws all the paparazzi," Dallin continued, his tone clinical. "She keeps the cameras busy so Elaina can live in peace. That's all this marriage is."

"You deserve an Oscar, Dallin," Pax chuckled. "The whole city thinks you