bChapter /bb7/b.

    Eugene regarded her with skepticism.“Ms. Johansen, you endured fifteen years. Christopher mentioned just recently that you two were trying for a baby. What game bare /byou ying?”

    “Mr. Benitez. Will you help or not?”

    Eugene didn’t answer immediately. He studied her, as if trying to peel backyers to uncover her true scheme.

    At that moment, a server approached with their coffee, stumbled, and bumped into Rosalind.

    Rosalind lost her bnce, falling against Eugene’s chest.

    Outside the cafe, hidden in the shadows, a camera shutter clicked, capturing the moment.

    Eugeneb, /bsensitive to the telltale sh, pushed her baway/bb, /ba flicker bof /bannoyance in his eyes. “bYou’re /bbeing followed.”

    Rosalind stumbled slightly, steadying herself against the table.“No one is.”

    “Someone just took bour /bpicture,” Eugene said, a hint bof /bbdark /bamusement in his tone.“That pose, Ms. Johansen. If those photos get out, it won’t look good. bHave /byou pissed someone off?”

    Rosalind offered ba /bcool smile. “If you’ve done nothing wrong, Mr. Benitez, why fear the shadowsb? /b

    Eugene raised an eyebrow.“Always this forward, Ms. Johansenb?/bb” /b

    Rosalind gathered her belongings and put on her sunsses. “I have to go, Mr. Benitez. I want this divorce finalized quickly. I assume you feel the same. Email me the draft power bof /battorney. I’ll get Christopher to sign it. Then we proceed to the courthouse without dy.”

    “Fine.”

    Rosalind turned and left the cafe, hailing a cab.

    Inside the taxi, her phone buzzed. Several photos appeared.

    All showed her and Eugene.

    The angles were deliberately chosen to make it look like Eugene was embracing her, the poses highly suggestive.

    “Rosa, check these. Do they work?”

    The sender was her friend Sharlene Huff, a seasoned wedding photographer.

    Capturing ambiguous moments was her specialty.

    Rosalind texted, “Perfect. Thanks, Shar.”

    Sharlene texted back,” I just don’t get it. Why do you need these? To make Christopher jealous?”

    “He’s irrelevant now. I don’t have time for games.”

    “Then why?”

    Rosalind’s fingers tapped rapidly. “Eugene bis /bvtile band /brebellious. I bneed /bbleverage /bin bcase /bhe tries bto /bbsabotage /bmeb./bb” /b

    “Sabotage the divorce? But doesn’t he want you and Christopher to split up?”

     Chapter 7.

    bRosalind /bsighed. “More than seeing us divorced, he enjoys bmaking /bbme /bmiserable.b” /b

    It wasn’t the first time.

    Every move she made, Eugene seemedpelled to oppose it.

    Now that she was finally determined to end her marriage, she couldn’t risk the unpredictable bEugene /bsuddenly deciding to throw a wrench in the works.

    She needed an insurance policy.

    Suddenly, the btaxi /bmmed on its brakes.

    Rosalind was thrown forward, her head smaXXing against the headrest of the front seat.

    The driver cursed.“Making out right in the middle of the damn broad/b! Blocking trafficb! /bIdiotsb!/bb” /b

    Rosalind looked up. A couple stood in the street ahead.

    The man seemed to bhave /bpicked something up from the ground and handed it to the woman.

    She covered bher /bbface/b, apparently crying, then threw her arms around him in a grateful hug.

    Their embrace in the middle of the road had forced bseveral /bbcars /bto brake hard.

    A man got out bof /ba ck sedan nearby, furious. “Take byour /bblovey/b–bdovey /bbcrap /bhome! Are you trying bto /bget killed?”

    Christopherb, /bone arm around the woman clinging to him, raised his other bhand /bin a cating gesture, a charming smile on his face. “My apologies! My girlfriend dropped her bracelet. I was retrieving it.”

    “You can’t retrieve it in moving traffic!” the man yelled. “Who pays bif /byou get hit? And what about everyone you’ve dyed? You owe uspensation!”

    Christopher remained unruffled. Raising his voice to address the other drivers, he announced, “My sincere apologies, everyone. I’ll cover all your losses today. Contact my assistant to verify the amount. I’ll pay triple.”

    power of

    money worked instantly.

    The

    bChapter /bb8/b.