“Alright,” Alexander said to her warmly. “I’m heading to my meeting. Call me if you miss me.”
He caressed her face, kissed her again—slow, intimate—then turned and walked back to the car. Moments later, the car drove away.
Mia turned and headed toward the building.
That was when James snapped.
He rushed forward and blocked her path.
Before she could react, his hand clamped around her wrist. His other hand shot up to cover her mouth, silencing her gasp as he dragged her toward the back of the building.
“Mmph—!”
He shoved her against the wall, trapping her between his arms. His hands slammed against the concrete on either side of her head as he leaned down, breath hot and reeking of alcohol.
“Ever since you left our house,” he snarled, “you didn’t come home even once. You’ve been living with Alexander fucking Graves, haven’t you? Sleeping in his mansion. Warming his fucking bed?!”
Mia stared at him in shock and disgust. She shoved him hard in the chest, her palm scraping his nose as she twisted away.
“Are you drunk?” she snapped, repulsed. “What is wrong with you? Stop this nonsense!”
James stepped closer instead.
His eyes burned—wild, jealous, furious.
“How can you kiss another man?” he demanded, voice shaking.“We were married… and you never once kissed me. How could you give that to someone else?”
He grabbed the back of her head and forced his mouth against hers.
Mia reacted instantly.
She shoved him away and bit down hard on his lip.
James staggered back with a sharp gasp, blood blooming, rage flashing brighter in his eyes.
“You’re so disgusted by me,” he spat, breath uneven. “You wouldn’t even let me touch you?”
Enraged, he lunged again, trying to kiss her. He forced his mouth on hers, rough and desperate.
Mia shoved him back harder this time—and slapped him across the face.
Her palm connected sharply with his face.
The sound cracked through the quiet morning.
She stumbled slightly from the force of her movement. James, already unstable, lost his footing for a moment before steadying himself.
Then he grabbed her again.
This time his voice dropped—calm on the surface, but unhinged underneath.
“Mia,” he said softly, dangerously, “it’s fine. Even if you slept with another man, I won’t hold it against you.”
Her blood ran cold.
“But you will only belong to me.”
Mia turned to flee.
