“We’re not doing this again,” Cole said flatly, his tone showing that he was really done. “What can Amanda possibly tell you about the ring? Nothing. She’ll only get scared and drag you into trouble.”“We’ve got ten more minutes.”“I feel like you’re just… a regular guy,” Maria said suddenly.Cole glanced at her, brow raised.“I mean, you don’t look amused by what the ring can do. And you don’t even seem to give a shit about me.”“That’s because I already have a wife.”“No.” She shook her head. “I think it’s because you’re not really interested in the ring. Other men would do anything to be close to me—if it means unlocking its full capacity. If you could give the ring back today, would you?”“If you want it, I can give it to you.”She smiled faintly. “Exactly. That’s why you can use it the way you do. When we were building it, we made sure the ones who wanted it the most wouldn’t get far with it.”Cole’s gaze dropped to the ring.“Think of it like dating,” she continued. “The one wh

Morning crept. “Cole,” Amanda whispered as her eyes fluttered open. The clock glowed 6:07 a.m., smug and precise.She yanked the duvet off him.“Get your ass out of bed.”Cole groaned like a man dragged out of heaven. He squinted at her, hair a mess, voice thick with sleep. “Damn… how are you feeling now?”“I’m okay.” She smiled—easy, practiced. “Guess I was just carrying too much stress yesterday. That’s why I… broke down.”“Nice,” he muttered, already half-sitting up.She leaned down and kissed him lightly. Soft. Normal. Girlfriend-coded. Then she straightened and slipped out of bed like nothing in the world had shifted overnight.“I’ve got a few places to stop by today,” she said casually. “Collaboration requirements.”“If you need anything, just ask.”“Of course.” She glanced back at him, eyes warm. “Meet me at the gym, yeah?”“Yeah.”She walked into the bathroom, toothbrush already in hand, the mirror catching her reflection—calm, composed, untouched by guilt.She rinsed her mout

“Are you home?” Amanda asked immediately the call connected. “No.”“Bella called. She said we can go see the house in the next hour. I was wondering if I should go pick her up or—”“Can we meet first?” Cole cut in as he slid into the car. “I need to tell you something. Where are you?”Ten minutes later, he pulled over by the roadside.Amanda opened the door, dropped her bag and a stack of files into the backseat, then got in.“Everything today has been so seamless,” she said as she buckled up. “It’s weird. Maybe people are intimidated because of my followers?”Cole smiled.He didn’t tell her that minutes after she left that morning—before meeting Scarface—he’d personally made calls. Quiet ones. Direct ones. Anyone Amanda was scheduled to meet had been warned: don’t waste her time. Five minutes max. Handle whatever she needs. No excuses.“They listen to me first,” Amanda continued. “Then they answer with their hands trembling.”“You’re the only person who doesn’t realize how much infl

“Hey, good day,” Amanda greeted warmly before Cole could even open his mouth. The therapist looked at Cole, then back at Amanda with a professional smile. No judgment, of course—but Cole could already read her thoughts: Oh, this your wife… good job bringing her here. “Sure, go ahead. Have a seat,” she said quickly. Cole pulled out a chair for Amanda, and they both sat down. “Just before we start, I want to…” Amanda glanced briefly at Cole, then turned to the therapist, “we’ll need your help.” “Oh, go ahead. I’m always here to help however I can,” she said, leaning forward, hands folded on the table in that classic, well, I can’t judge way. “The thing is… my husband—erm—he took a really big decision to get us here. He normally wouldn’t have done this, so I was hoping you’d go easy on us. I’m not suggesting anything though. You understand what I’m saying?” Amanda asked, eyebrows raised, delivering it like a challenge wrapped in charm. “Oh, cool. I definitely understand. You can j

“Are you out of your—” Amanda was snapping when Maria smoothly cut in.“I might as well make a nice first-time impression, right?” Maria said, already pulling out makeup, fixing her lips like this was her runway moment.“This isn’t right, Cole. What do you want your sister to think about you? That you’re cheating on me?” Amanda asked, desperation creeping into her voice.“She already knows this is fake, right? I can just tell her I love Maria. Nothing complicated.”Maria caught Cole’s eyes in the mirror, stunned. Wait… what? Just this morning, he’d been shutting her down, telling her to stop trying. Had she cracked his goddamn wall?“Cole…” Amanda called, rage thick in her voice.Cole didn’t answer.The car stayed tense until he finally pulled over beside a young girl standing by the road. And instantly—just one look—Maria knew. Sister-in-law.She looked so damn cool. One of those girls who would probably approve of you instantly. Quiet. Easy. No trouble.But how wrong she was…Cole s