?Chapter 109:


    The thought crossed Marc’s mind—but he shook it off almost immediately.


    No way. He and Ste had been married for years. He knew how much she’d loved him. There was no way she’d fall for someone like William. Just. Impossible.


    Still, he couldn’t shake the unease building in his chest. Right then, his phone lit up in the passenger seat. He picked it up, answered without thinking, and immediately regretted it.


    Haley’s syrupy voice filled his ear. “Marc, where are you? I miss you. Come shopping with me, please? I haven’t bought a dress in forever.”


    Marc’s jaw tightened. He snapped, “Haley, is your entire life just eating, drinking, shopping, and fooling around? I’ve got real work to do. Get lost.”


    He ended the call and tossed the phone aside, annoyed.


    Back at the other end, Haley stared at the disconnected call in shock. All she did was ask him to go shopping. Did that suddenly make her useless?


    After everything she’d done for Walsh Group—all the help, the connections, the influence—this was how she got treated?


    Fuming, she kicked the sofa leg and stormed into the garden to find her mother.


    “Mom! You have to help me. Marc doesn’t want to see me. I can’t even get close to him anymore!”


    Beatrice, watering her roses, nced over with a weary look. She had watched this obsession drag on for months and still didn’t get what Haley saw in Marc.


    “Haley, what’s so special about this man that you’re clinging to him like this? You could find someone ten times better abroad. Why waste yourself like this?”


    It wasn’t the first time Beatrice said it. And, as always, Haley didn’t listen.


    “I don’t care!” she yelled, her voice shrill. “I love him, Mom. I love Marc! I want him—all of him. Body and soul!”


    Meanwhile, a sleek ck Lincoln glided through the streets. William sat in the back, a slimptop on hisp, typing as he reviewed reports. Without even looking at Ste sitting beside him, he spoke with dry sarcasm. “Didn’t realize you still had feelings for your ex. What’s the n—rekindle the me, be a housewife again?”


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    Ste stared out the window, the wind brushing through her hair.


    Without turning, she said tly, “If you’ve got nothing decent to say, keep your mouth shut. That kind of talk is disgusting. Even if I were thest woman on Earth, I still wouldn’t go back to Marc.” The thought alone made her nauseous.


    William chuckled quietly to himself, hiding a smile.


    After a moment, he asked, “Aren’t you off today? What’s the point of rushing to Neb’s site?”


    She gave him a side nce. The timing of his appearance was way too convenient. No way this was a random encounter.


    Was he checking up on how she was managing Neb? Or spying on Marc?


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