"Please... please don't do this to me," Sophia whispered, her voice shaking. "This is all wrong! Marcus, I... I was trying to keep you safe this whole time. I never wanted to lie to you!"

"Marcus, please! Let me explain!" she sobbed, her Dior makeup running down her cheeks. "You don't understand - I can explain everything!"

Marcus's Rolex caught the light as his hands trembled with rage. "Keep me safe? By lying to my face? Do you really think I'll believe anything you say now?"

Sophia opened ...