The Wife You Never Wanted

Jared's face darkened, but his buddies were too busy running their mouths to notice.

"C'mon, Jared's the full package—no way Lucia's not satisfied."

"Nah, man, she's clearly not getting any at home. Gotta get her fix somewhere! Hahaha!"

Their laughter cut sharp through the air.

Jared didn't flinch. He just walked straight up to her.

"Lucia." His voice was cold. "Who is he?"

Lucia stayed cool. "Not your business."

Jared's eyes lit up with rage. He grabbed her chin, leaning in way too close.

"Lucia." His voice dripped with venom. "Can't survive without a man, huh?"

The insult should've burned—but she felt nothing.

Cole jumped in, trying to defuse it. "No, it's not like that. Lucia and I—"

She shut him down fast. "Yeah." Her smile was ice. "What can I say? My own husband couldn't get the job done. What was I supposed to do—die frustrated?"

The whole hallway froze.

Jared's crew just gawked.

Everyone knew Jared had never touched her. Lucia had been hopelessly loyal, and the jokes were just that—jabs to humiliate, not actual suspicion. No one thought she'd ever cross the line.

But now?

Jared's face went ice-cold. "What did you just say?"

Lucia's smile only sharpened. "Did I lie? If you can't satisfy me, what's wrong with grabbing a little something on the side—ah!"

She didn't get to finish.

Jared suddenly threw her over his shoulder like it was nothing and stormed off.

Next thing she knew, she was tossed into a car.

The chauffeur sensed the tension and bolted from the car.

The door slammed. Inside, it was just the two of them.

Jared dropped his weight on her, pinning her down.

Lucia's calm cracked. "Jared, what the hell?!"

He sneered, ripping off his tie. "Didn't you say I couldn't satisfy you? Let's fix that."

Then he kissed her—hard. Outta nowhere.

Wasn't their first. They'd kissed before the wedding. Not once since.

His lips froze. He forgot her taste—soft, a little sweet. Threw him off.

He flipped her, bent her back like he couldn't help it.

"Ah..." She almost screamed, almost shoved him off—

Then his phone buzzed.

He froze, glanced at the screen, answered quick. "What?"

His face changed.

"Alice is in the ER?"