Cynthia’s fingers hesitated over her phone screen as the name flashed again—Collins.
She exhaled slowly, tightening her robe as she glanced at the hallway to ensure no one was around. Mike's mansion was a fortress, laced with eyes and ears. Still, her instincts pressed her to answer, if only to shut him up once and for all.
She picked up, voice cold and clipped. “I told you to stop calling this line, Collins. My husband will be mad if he finds out.”
A bitter chuckle from the other end. “Husband? Do you mean Mike? The man you married for money?”
“Stop it,” Cynthia snapped.
“You don’t even feel loved, do you, Cynthia?” His voice softened, cutting through her armor. “You sound exhausted. Sad. Hollow. Does he treat you like a queen—or are you just one of his possessions?”
Her silence spo
