Chapter 3 3

Maya's heart hammered against her ribs.

The pain was so intense, it felt like a physical blow.

Liam returned, all smiles. "Sorry about that, work crisis averted."

He put his arm around her. "Feeling okay? You look a little pale."

Oblivious. Utterly, maddeningly oblivious.

"Just a headache," Maya managed, pulling away slightly.

She looked at him, at the man she had loved, the man who had saved her life, who was now destroying it.

"Liam," she began, her voice low, "if a man, a husband, was having an affair... what would you think of him?"

He frowned, surprised by the question.

"I'd think he was a scumbag," Liam said, his tone vehement. "A real piece of trash. Especially if he had a wife who loved him, who trusted him. There's no excuse for that kind of betrayal, Maya. None."

His hypocrisy was breathtaking.

His phone buzzed again. He glanced at it, a flicker of annoyance, then something else – concern?

"Damn it," he muttered. "Another urgent company matter. Some new intern messed up big time. I have to go deal with it. Marc can't handle this one."

He kissed her quickly. "You stay, enjoy the park. I'll be back as soon as I can. I promise."

He hurried off.

Maya watched him go, a cold certainty settling in her.

She pulled out her burner phone, dialed a car service.

"Follow that black Escalade," she told the driver, pointing to Liam's departing car. "Discreetly."

The Escalade didn't go towards Goldstein Global headquarters.

It headed towards a sleek, new luxury condo building in a trendy downtown district.

The driver parked across the street. Maya waited.

Ten minutes later, Liam walked out of the building.

With Ava Sinclair.

Ava was laughing, clinging to his arm. Liam was smiling down at her, a look of possessive affection on his face.

They stopped by his car in the building's private driveway.

He pulled her close, and they kissed.

A long, passionate, open-mouthed kiss. In broad daylight.

Maya watched, her blood turning to ice.

Then, they got into his car. The windows were tinted, but she saw the silhouette.

The car began to rock, gently at first, then more suggestively.

Right there. In the driveway.

Maya closed her eyes.

She remembered their wedding night.

Liam had been so tender, so reverent.

He'd told her he wanted their first time as husband and wife to be perfect, sacred.

He had made love to her with such care, such devotion.

It had felt like a true union of souls.

Now, this.

This cheap, sordid display in a car with his mistress.

The contrast was a knife twisting in her gut.

The cab driver, a kind-faced older man, glanced at her in the rearview mirror.

"Miss, are you alright?" he asked gently.

Maya opened her eyes. Tears were streaming down her face.

"He's not worth it, miss," the driver said softly. "No man who does that is worth your tears. You forgive him, you move on. Find someone better."

Maya shook her head, a bitter laugh escaping her. "Forgive him? Never."