I know Kade told me to be at the banquet by 8:00 pm, but I was still so pissed from how he made me feel earlier in the day.

I mean…

How dare he act like he owned me just because of some stupid contract?

Helping my father’s company and saving us from the banks and the loan companies was something he could easily have done. Instead, he chose to offer a contract that bound not just my body to him but also my soul.

And it wasn’t like it was an obligation of his anyway; he had been the last resort.

The first time I formally met him at my mother’s wedding six months ago, I certainly did not like him. He gave off this bad mafia vibe, and those cold eyes of his made him a clear red flag of ‘Do not cross.’

He had looked at me and given me this cold treatment, never mind that his father and my mother were getting married. Thankfully, we were never going to cross paths except for family events which I had lined up excuses in advance.

A sigh escaped my lips as I took in my reflection in the mirror. My hands smoothed over my gown and gently rested on my belly at the thought of the life growing within.

Was it a mini Kaid or a mini me, I wondered.

My eyes flickered to my phone on the dresser by the vanity.

It was Kaid again.

It was obvious he was hell bent on blowing my phone till I appeared at the venue.

This wasn’t about me rebelling; it was about respect. Fine—we didn’t need to like each other. But, at least, we should be able to tolerate each other and respect each other’s needs.

For Christ's sake, I signed a contract. Not my life.

He didn’t own me.

No one owns me.

A classless fall from grace was not enough for me to sell my soul, even if I had sold my body. I sighed again and applied my lipstick carefully.

Let him wait.

A few minutes later and over an hour late, I finally arrived at the Banquet, ignoring Lucas’s worried look. It was obvious his employer was seeing red and had transferred the heat, but I refused to be a recipient of that.

I took in a full breath and placed a wonderful smile on my face and a loving look that screamed ‘oh she’s so in love’ and swung my legs out of the car with confidence.

The moment I stepped on the red carpet, I was swarmed by a lot of paparazzi. There were so many cameras and lights coupled with the grandeur of the hall, making the scenery look so dreamy and my entrée like a princess walking in to meet her prince charming.

With a smile on my face, I gently answered their questions, waving subtly and walking towards the hall.

Kaid was not hard to miss. There was no mistaking him in a room filled with people. His tall frame and his sexy build, not to mention his aura, was unmistakable.

My eyes found his even before he did.

He was talking to a blonde, if that was what I could call it, with her body pressed so close to his and her exposed cleavage resting on his arm, her lips practically kissed his ear, and he had a smile on his face that made my heart lurch with a feeling of dread.

I didn’t need a fortune teller to tell me who that was. I could bet my arm that it was Vivian. She was a beautiful woman, classic blonde. However, lucky enough for me, before I could find myself in an embarrassing situation here I couldn’t tear my eyes off both pair at the center of the room, I was suddenly flanked by a few directors at Kaid’s company which helped because it took my attention away, albeit briefly and helped me to control this sudden ache I felt in my chest.

I greeted the guests with practiced charm and smiled with ease, air kissing the host’s wife and whispered an apology only she could hear while I engaged in small talk.

I had promised a few of the ladies to come over to see them shortly after I met with my husband.

Husband.

More like mortal enemy.

Then I sensed it. Rather, I felt him. Kaid was behind me. His warm, spicy scent wrapped around me like a blanket. For a moment, I felt safe.

His hands wrapped around my waist, pulling me closer to his chest, and I turned slightly to face him. My hands moved to his chest, and my eyes met his blue eyes. He was smiling at me, and my heart hitched.

I smiled back and murmured. “Sorry, I’m late. Wasn’t feeling too well earlier.” My words are low but enough to be caught by the listening ears and wondering eyes around us.

“It’s fine. How are you feeling now?” His voice, husky and deep, sent a shiver of excitement down my spine.

That was when I saw her, or rather heard her.

Somehow, she had followed Kaid to where I stood and had a smile on her face that seemed like she was a nice person.

I didn’t know how to feel. She was beautiful, the kind of woman Kaid wanted.

Exciting with a dangerous allure, especially in the way her eyes moved.

“Hi, I’m Vivian Sullivan. And you must be the wife.” She smiled mischievously at me, and I smiled.

There was no two ways about this. Vivian Sullivan was a classic bitch.

Well, if she wanted to play this game with me, then why not? After all, I didn’t have a bone to pick with her. Her business was with Kaid, and whatever they had or have before I came into the picture was none of my business.

So as long as we were in public, he was my husband and I—

I was the loving wife.

My hands slowly moved up Kaid’s chest, and I gave him a playful smile, then turned to her.

“It’s nice to meet you. But I’m afraid I haven’t heard anything about you.” Kaid seemed to go tense under my touch when I said that, but I acted as though I didn’t notice while Vivian moved closer and looked at Kaid. “Oh, I’ve heard so much about you.” Then she turned to me with that smile that said; Oh, and I’ve got your man too.

I added slightly with my smile still in place when Gerald walked over with a warm smile and chuckled. “You love birds can’t seem to have enough of each other, eh, still in the honeymoon phase, I see. Permit me to still the prince for a couple of minutes.” He laughed

“Oh, feel free. Business calls,” I looked up at Kaid and brushed a kiss across his lips, watching as he left with Gerald, joined by other men, with my smile still on my face.

I couldn’t let my guard down. You never know who was watching.

“You don’t look bad at all. But, you’re not his type.” Vivian finally spoke when we were both alone. I simply smiled and angled my head in her direction.

“What’s his type? Oh—don’t tell me. Blondes?” Before she could speak, I continued. “Well, from where I’m standing, I’m no blonde yet, his wife.”

Then she scoffed. “Not for long.”

“Hmm, in that case, I guess I would have to squeeze every bit of him that I can before he leaves me for you.” And with that, I walked away, leaving her standing by herself.

She was infuriating. Women like her. Always circling like vultures, scheming and staking territories. Not to mention their constant attempt at intimidation.

However, I would have known that she wouldn’t let me have the last speech. Because before I knew it, she walked up to where I stood by the drink stand and whispered, closely standing beside me as though we were close, and said, “Do you want to bet whose bed he sleeps in tonight?”

Her sudden dare whipped air out of my chest, and I turned to her, but she was already walking away, sashaying, and to my horror, she was walking right towards Kaid.