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“Darling, would you mind refilling Mrs. Henderson’s glass?” Oliver’s grip on my waist tightens.

Eager for any excuse to distance myself from him, I nod and take the decanter, walking up to Mrs. Henderson.

I pause, the decanter hovering inches above her glass, unable to tear my eyes away from the faint bruises peeking out from beneath the sleeves of her elegant dress. How did I not notice them before?

Mrs. Henderson shifts uncomfortably under my gaze, adjusting her sleeves to cover the marks. “Is something the matter?”

I blink, snapping out of my daze, and refill her glass. “Sorry. I must have spaced out for a moment.”

As I set the decanter back down and grab my glass, I catch sight of Mr. Henderson out of the corner of my eye. He’s easily thirty years older than his wife, with paper-thin skin and wispy white hair. But his grip on her arm looks viselike, even from here. Possessive. Controlling.

I shudder. Mrs. Henderson is me, and Mr. Henderson is...

“Gemma?” Oliver’s voice cuts through my thoughts as he strides over. He grabs my arm in an ironclad grip, and I startle, spilling the wine from my glass onto my dress.

“How clumsy of me.” I try to twist out of his hold, but his fingers only dig in deeper.

“Do be more careful, darling. This dress was expensive.”

You didn’t even buy it, asshole.

“Of course.” My laugh comes out strained. “If you’ll excuse me a moment, I should go try to clean it up.”

After a pause, Oliver releases me.

“Don’t take too long,” he calls after me as I hurry away.

It’s the perfect opportunity, but I need to be quick.

The hallway stretches before me, the thick carpet muffling my steps. No one seems to be around, and the staff is likely busy attending to the guests.

I check several doors until I find the one I’m looking for. A double door at the end of the hallway. It’s made of thick, polished wood with golden handles. Taking a deep breath to steady my nerves, I reach for the doorknob.

Please let it be unlocked. To my relief, it opens, and an office reveals itself.

I slip into the dimly lit office, my heels sinking into the plush carpet. Shutting the door behind me, I take in the dark wood furnishings and leather chairs that scream old money. Bookcases line the walls.

A massive oak desk dominates the space, with neat stacks of paper and a silver lamp atop it. I resist the urge to rifle through the documents, not wanting to leave a trace. Instead, I move to the laptop and jiggle the mouse, the screen flickering to life.

Password. Shit. Asshole?

No, that’s not it. I stare helplessly at the password prompt on the screen, my mind racing. I don’t have time to guess. Oliver will notice my absence any minute. This was my one chance to find something, anything, that could help me escape this sham of a marriage.

Frustrated, I resist the urge to slam my fists on the desk. I have to think. There must be physical files around here somewhere.

I yank open the top drawer and begin rifling through. Most of it seems useless, pens, paperclips, folders. Nothing that appears useful. The other drawers yield similar useless office supplies.

My heart sinks as I scan the room again. The bookshelves, perhaps? I rush over, scanning the titles, pulling out likely books, and shaking them upside down. Dusty old law and business texts.

My time is running out. I rush back to the desk. Think. Think! A hidden compartment?

I yank the top drawer open again, digging through more vigorously this time. There must be something here, anything that can help me. I toss aside pens, paper clips, and folders until I spot a nondescript manila envelope tucked in the back corner. Hands shaking, I pull it out, loosening the string tie.

Inside are documents and contracts of some kind. I scan the pages quickly, my eyes widening as I spot my name and signature. These are records of bank transfers, accounts in the Cayman Islands under my name, with astronomical sums that make my head spin. Properties in my name that I never purchased. What the hell is this?

The door suddenly swings open, the light from the hallway momentarily blinding me.

Chapter 35

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