Chapter 1 One

Valentina POV

I poke my toes against the motionless body lying on the kitchen floor, holding my breath as I wait for this nightmare to pass. It doesn’t. Blood continues to spill from the back of her head, slowly spreading across the tiles.

She’s lying on her side, facing away from me, one arm stretched out while her head rests at an angle that doesn’t look normal. I kneel beside her, my hand flying to my mouth as panic floods through me. My whole body trembles as I press two fingers against the side of her neck, desperately searching for a pulse.

But nothing.  My heart pounds harder as I try again, praying I somehow got it wrong.

Still nothing. The room begins to spin around me, and a sick feeling settles in the pit of my stomach.

Oh God….. I think I killed her.

Eleven Hours Earlier

“Not again.”

The disappointment in his voice filled the room.

I took a slow breath as I fastened my earrings, watching his reflection pace across our bedroom mirror. I didn’t have to look him in the eyes to know he was upset. I could hear it in his voice.

I couldn’t blame him. I had disappointed Julian again.

I ran a hand over my brown hair, smoothing the edges of the bun pulled neatly at the back of my head. It was always in a bun. Julian said it made me look elegant, so after all these years, I barely wore it any other way.

Slipping into my red gown, I finally met his eyes in the mirror.

“I’m sorry.”

I lowered my gaze. It was a habit I’d picked up over the years, one that always seemed to soften his anger. As expected, he took the bait, walking towards me, his six-foot-three stature stopping only inches away.

Twelve years of marriage, and I still found new ways to disappoint him.

“You told me you were going to talk to your father this time.”

I sighed and reached for the necklace resting on the vanity before fastening it around my neck.

“I did talk to him,” I said quietly. “He’ll be at the gala tonight. You’ll have another chance to discuss your business proposal with him.”

Julian let out a frustrated laugh. “You know your old man never listens to me. It’s been twelve years, Vi, and he still hates me.” 

“Honey, you know that’s not true.”

“It isn’t?” Julian asked, the corner of his mouth lifting into a humorless smile. “Your father has never accepted me, Val. Twelve years later and he still looks at me like I’m some charity case who got lucky.”

I reached up and smoothed the lapel of his tuxedo. “He’s just protective.”

“Protective?” He let out a short laugh. “I built Wilder Capital from the ground up, and he still acts like I’m not good enough for his daughter.”

I didn’t respond… I couldn't because there was nothing to say.

My father had always respected Julian’s work ethic. If anything, the problem had always been the business. Dad believed Fisher Holdings should remain in the family, while Julian wanted the two companies to merge.

Tonight would be another attempt to convince him.

“I’ll speak to him again,” I said softly.

Julian studied me for a long moment before brushing an invisible strand of hair behind my ear.

“I know you will.” His voice had softened, just like that; he wasn't upset anymore.

That was Julian. He could go from disappointed to affectionate so quickly that it made me question how I got so lucky. 

His hand rested against my cheek for a second before he smiled. “You look beautiful.”

A small smile found my lips. “Thank you.”

“But…” His eyes drifted over my dress. “The necklace.”

Instinctively, my fingers touched the diamond necklace resting against my collarbone. “What about it?”

“I was thinking about the pearl set I bought you last Christmas. It would’ve matched the dress better.”

“Oh.” I mumur Without thinking, I reached behind my neck and unclasped it. “I can change it.”

“You don’t have to.” His smile never wavered.

I paused. “You know what? You’re right. The pearls would look nicer.”

He kissed my forehead before walking toward the bedroom door. “I’ll wait downstairs while  you finish getting ready.”

As soon as he left, I stared at my reflection.

The diamonds looked fine.

At least… I thought they did.

Still, I opened the jewelry box and reached for the pearls. Julian always had an eye for these things.

Or maybe…I simply trusted his judgment more than my own.

By the time I made it downstairs, Julian was waiting in the foyer with the car keys in one hand and his phone in the other.

He looked up as I approached, his eyes immediately finding the necklace around my neck.

A smile tugged at his lips. “Much better.”

I glanced down at the pearls, unconsciously touching them.

“You think so?” I asked staring at my reflection on the glass door 

“I know so.”

His answer came so effortlessly that I found myself smiling back.

He slipped his phone into his pocket before walking over to me. His hands settled lightly on my waist as he looked me over from head to toe.

“The dress is perfect.”

“You picked it.” I said, leaning in for a kiss.

“I have good taste.” he said, kissing my forehead.

I rolled my eyes, earning a quiet chuckle from him.

“For someone who complains about shopping,” he said, “you’ve accumulated quite the wardrobe.”

“You buy half my clothes.”

“Because you never make time for yourself.”

I laughed softly.

That part was true. Between board meetings, investors, site inspections, charity events, and making sure Noah’s life stayed as normal as possible, shopping had become the last thing on my mind. If Julian saw something he thought I’d like, he’d simply have it delivered.

You ready?” Julian asked.

I grabbed my clutch from the console table and glanced around the foyer one last time.

“I am.”

He opened the front door for me, resting a hand against my lower back as we stepped outside. The evening air was cool against my skin, carrying the scent of freshly cut roses from the garden.

Our driver was already waiting beside the car.

Julian walked around to open the passenger door before I could reach for the handle.

“What a gentleman,” I teased as I slid into the leather seat.

“I have a reputation to maintain.”

I laughed, shaking my head.

The Grand Regency Hotel came alive beneath a sea of golden lights. Luxury cars lined the entrance while photographers crowded behind the velvet ropes, calling out the names of every familiar face that stepped onto the red carpet.

Our driver pulled to a stop. Before I could reach for the door, Julian was already there, holding out his hand.

“You ready?” he asked with a smile.

I slipped my hand into his. “Always.”

The moment we stepped onto the carpet, camera flashes lit up the night.

“Mr. Wilder!” “Mrs. Wilder, this way!” “One more!”

Julian slipped an arm around my waist, pulling me closer. “Smile, sweetheart.”

I did. Smiling for the cameras had become second nature since I was a child.

Just as the photographers asked for one last picture, my phone vibrated inside my clutch.

I frowned. Probably Sophia reminding me about one of tonight’s donors. Without thinking, I pulled out my phone.

A notification lit up the screen.

Happy Anniversary, Valentina.

You deserve to know where your husband really spends his nights.

The color drained from my face.

“Val?” Julian’s voice sounded distant.

The phone vibrates again before I could even process the first message.

“Want Proof?”