Chapter 1
On our fifth wedding anniversary, Victor Hollingsworth ditched me to rush off to his ex–wife’s welcome party.
The video exploded across Instagram that same day.
Victor–New York’s most powerful heir, known for his flawless manners, ruthless precision–was caught in a tender embrace with his ex–wife.]]
I stared at the anonymous text glowing on my phone:]
“Ms. Shaw, let’s be honest–you two never had love anyway. But my daughter needs her father.”
I actually laughed out loud. I’m Madeline Shaw–the only heiress of the Shaw empire, born with everything women fight for.[]
What I want has always been mine for the taking.]
I’m sure as hell not about to star in some pathetic ‘two women, one man‘ drama.[]
Photos of their embrace at the welcome party were posted online by some gossip–hungry vultures.]
Rumors of the Hollingsworth heir’s marriage troubles shot straight to the top of trending feeds.]
Before I could even react, the hashtag that had been blazing hot just moments before vanished completely.
Hollingsworth Enterprises‘ official account fired off a statement and slapped the worst offenders with cease–and–desist letters.[]
The whole thing took maybe ten minutes.]
After all, Victor Hollingsworth would never let anyone mess with the Shaw–Hollingsworth alliance.
I’d barely put my phone down when every billboard across Manhattan lit up with my name–a public declaration of my rightful place as Mrs. Hollingsworth.
But I found myself staring blankly at those neon lights.
Fa
In five years, this was the first time the man who was always so thoughtful, so perfectly organized, had missed our anniversary.[]
The next morning, I was about to head out when I saw Victor’s car pulling into our driveway.[]
Victor stepped out, carrying a small backpack that looked completely out of place against his tailored suit.
He was holding hands with a little girl.[]
He crouched down and scooped her into his arms, his expression softer than I’d ever seen.
Behind them followed a woman in a white sundress.[]
I recognized her–Victor’s ex–wife, Nina Caldwell.[]
He spotted me by the car and froze for a moment.[]
“Madeline, Tilly has some school registration issues. She can only attend school here in the city.” His voice was quiet, almost apologetic.
Before I could respond, the woman beside him cut in.
“Mrs. Hollingsworth, I’m sorry. It’s just… managing everything alone with a child, I really had no choice.”
I looked down at her from my heels, letting the condescension show.
“My husband and I are talking. Mind your own business.”
Victor’s jaw tightened, but he said nothing.
978
Your Dial
0.0%
Chapter 1
Seeing the woman’s face flush red, I turned my attention to my increasingly tense husband.[]
“Because of this morning’s photos, the Shaw–Hollingsworth joint ventures have already
ten
percent.”
My cold tone made the little girl in his arms burst into tears.
“Go away! That’s my daddy!“]
Victor frowned, quickly patting Tilly’s back to comfort her, then looked at me with obvious frustration.[]
“Madeline, it was just a hug. I’m already handling the business fallout.” The exhaustion in his voice made my chest tighten.
Just like the past five years–he’d protect my dignity as Mrs. Hollingsworth, but he seemed to forget I needed more than that.]
I needed love.
I’d once taught him how to make me happy.
Now I realized if I still had to teach him how to love me, this whole thing was pretty pathetic.[]
“Get them out of here before I come home tonight.” I left him with that and drove off to the office.[]
As the Shaw heir, I had better things to do than deal with unwanted houseguests.]]
worked until midnight, convinced that Victor–always so practical–would handle the situation.]
But the moment I walked through the door, that confidence shattered.[]
“Mrs. Hollingsworth,” Nina had changed into a decidedly provocative nightgown, “you’re home. I’ll have Mrs. Harper prepare dinner for you.“[]
My eyes narrowed.[]
Acting like the lady of the house now, are you?]
I walked over with a mocking smile and flicked her spaghetti strap. “Into hand–me–downs, I see?“[]
Nina’s face went rigid–clearly she hadn’t expected me to be so unfazed by her little play.
“Can’t you just give him back to me? You two don’t love each other anyway, but my daughter needs her father.“]
I paused on the stairs and turned around, eyebrow raised.[]
“Family heirs need strategic alliances, not love,” I said with a mocking laugh. “Your perspective is embarrassingly narrow.“[]
My dismissive look hit Nina’s fragile ego like a slap. Her face went pale.[]
I was about to leave when the unhinged woman blocked my path.[]
“You know he was with me last night, right? But do you know what we did?” She pulled out her phone, showing me a photo of rumpled hotel sheets. “How much can the great Mrs. Hollingsworth actually take?“[]
I glanced down and immediately recognized Victor’s hand in the frame.[]
That wedding ring–I’d put it on his finger myself.
My fingers unconsciously clenched, but I kept my composure–still the ice–cold Shaw heiress everyone expected.]
“After years of champagne, maybe a gas station slushie tastes new again.”
Nina’s breath caught, her face burning with humiliation.
Back in the bedroom, I found Victor already asleep.
His usually perfect hair was tousled and loose.]
Chapter I
1 found myself touching my wedding ring, then tracing my finger along his forehead, down his straight nose, finally resting on his lips.]
Victor Hollingsworth–don’t let me down.[]
(0)
(0)
Wife in Name to You–Queen in Heart to Your Rival
