Chapter 3
Seeing my reaction, Hayley got even more smug.
“Karen, has mommy brain made you stupid? There’s only one Firenze Corporation in all of New York.”
“My future boss is William Firenze-the richest man in the New York.”
“Once I sweet-talk him a little, he’ll throw billion-dollar contracts Archer’s way. Leonel Corp is gonna be unstoppable.”
Archer pulled her close and kissed her. “Babe, you’re gonna save our whole empire!”
Then he looked at me with disgust. “You hear that? Now get on your knees and apologize to Hayley.”
I smirked. “She’s never getting into Firenze Corp.”
Years ago, William wanted to destroy these two pieces of shit. The only reason Leonel Corp still existed was because I begged him to stop-I still felt like I owed the Leonel family something.
Boss? Please. William would never let anyone who hurt me within a mile of his company.
Both their faces changed. Hayley snapped, “What the hell gives you the right to say that?”
I looked at them both calmly. “Because I’m William Firenze’s wife.”
Before the words even sank in, Archer was signaling his security. “Get her out of here. She’s MY woman-I don’t give a shit what fantasy she’s living in.’
“I’ve been way too fucking soft on you!”
They dragged me out of JFK and shoved me into a car. I was hauled back to the Leonel estate and forced to kneel there.
Archer pulled out a leather whip with metal studs and cracked it across my back.
“My mother saved your pathetic life and felt sorry for you-that’s the only reason I married you.”
“I give you everything! I only got with Hayley to give the family an heir, and you have the fucking nerve to call yourself some other man’s wife?”
“Do you have any fucking respect for me?!”
My eyes burned with tears.
He was the one who chased me for three years before I finally said yes. I’d put every penny of my inheritance into his failing company.
I’d always been grateful to his family, so I played the perfect wife, supporting him in everything.
Even when the doctors said I’d probably never have kids, he swore he only needed me.
But he broke every promise. Forced me to divorce him so he could marry Hayley and get her a green card for Harvard!
My back was on fire, but I stared him down.
“We got divorced three years ago, asshole.”
Archer froze, looking confused. Then his expression softened. “That was just paperwork. Once we have the real wedding, we’ll make it official again.”
Hayley’s face twisted with spite. She suddenly grabbed my son, her voice all fake and tragic. “Maybe I shouldn’t move in after all, Archer. I don’t want to mess up your marriage with Karen.”
My son saw me getting hurt and bit down hard on Hayley’s arm.
She screamed and actually threw him away from her.
I lunged forward but wasn’t fast enough-my baby hit the ground hard, sobbing.
I scooped him up, tears streaming down my face. “Sweetheart, where does it hurt? Mommy’s here.”
Archer was fussing over Hayley’s bite mark, then grabbed my son in a rage.
“Look what you’ve taught him! Little savage! Time for some real discipline!”
“Tie him to the pillar outside. He stays there until he learns who his real mommy is!”
My blood turned to ice. “Archer, you sick fuck, you can’t do this to MY child!”
“It’s thirty degrees out there-he’ll die!”
Archer dragged me into a side room and ripped my shirt open.
His eyes were wild with fury. “I’ve been too soft on you-forgot my rights as a husband!”
He started biting and sucking at my chest.
I slapped him as hard as I could, eyes blazing.
“Archer Leonel, you’re gonna fucking pay for this!”
