Chapter 3

The moment I heard the words NovaTech, my head snapped up.

That was the project I'd bled countless sleepless nights into to get it off the ground.

Bertram only smiled and said it like it was nothing:

"It's no big deal. Winona's away on business right now, running that exact case."

"When she gets back, I'll tell her the follow-up work has way too much wining and dining, too grueling for her, so she should hand the case over to me. Then I take it straight to you and put your name on it."

"Just sit back and wait for that year-end promotion, my little rich girl."

Edwina squealed with excitement, leaned over, and kissed the side of his face.

"Bertram, you're the best! I love you so much!"

Listening to them laugh and carry on without a shred of shame, I felt sick to my stomach.

Bertram and I both worked in consulting, each of us at one of the two top firms in the industry.

He knew exactly what it meant for me if he took a client off my hands.

It meant I'd be accused of leaking key client information.

It could get me disciplined by my firm, maybe even suspended.

I reached for the water bottle in my bag out of reflex, lost my grip, and it hit the floor.

Edwina jumped. "Oh, I completely forgot we've got a stranger back there with us."

Bertram glanced up at the rearview mirror.

I had a cap and a mask on, my whole face covered.

That, plus the fact that the ride was booked under a coworker's account, meant he didn't recognize me at all.

He gave a careless little smile. "Sorry about that, hon. My wife and I just like to mess around, didn't mean to bother you."

Wife.

My stomach turned over, but I didn't make a sound.

Seeing I wasn't going to respond, Bertram faced front again and went right back to flirting with Edwina.

I pulled out my phone and opened the chat with a lawyer friend.

Lance Fox, draft me a divorce agreement.

Bertram cheated during our marriage. I want him to walk away with nothing.

Once I'd sent the lawyer his instructions, I switched back to the main screen.

I looked at that familiar profile picture pinned at the top and placed a voice call straight to it.

A second later, the phone on the center console started to buzz.

Edwina covered her mouth, snickering. "Oh dear, your other half's checking up on you."

Bertram's brow furrowed. Without a moment's hesitation he hit decline and flicked the phone to silent.

Then he cleared his throat and pressed the voice-message key.