Deep down, I can’t help the fear that runs through me ifProject Rebuildactually gets approved. I don’t want it to be because of my new last name. I want it to be because of me.
I need that win for myself, and not for the man whose ring I wear.
When Seraya steps out to take a call, I head back to my desk to grab my sketch pad. I’m halfway down the hallway when a voice stops me cold.
Shaina is leaning against the copy room doorway, one manicured hand on her hip, talking to one of the HR clerks from the tenth floor. I wouldn’t have paid her any attention until I heard Worth’s name.
“So I was in Worth’s office earlier,” she says, lowering her voice just enough to make it sound scandalous. “And he asked me to get on my knees, for old time’s sake. If you know what I me”
The clerk gasps. “You’re kidding.”
Shaina smirks, flipping her hair. “Please. Like he’d ever forget me. Men like Worth don’t settle for… boring. And trust me, what he has now?” She lets out a pitying laugh. “Temporary.”
The clerk glances around nervously. “You really think so?”
“Oh, honey.” Shaina leans in conspiratorially. “This little ‘marriage’ of his has to be strategic. He must be getting something out of it. And Mya is definitely getting a bigger pay check.” She shrugs. “He’ll soon remember he prefers women who can actually keep up with him—in and out of the office.”
My blood pressure spikes so fast I feel it in my ears. I can practicallytastemy irritation.
“And the way she walks around like she owns the place now?” Shaina adds. “It’s so embarrassing. Poor girl doesn’t realize she’s just a placeholder.”
That’s it.
I stride straight toward them before my brain can talk me out of it.
I have no idea why I’m this angry. It’s not like Worth and I are a real couple. I’m the one who insists this whole thing is just business, but hearing someone talk about our relationship like that does something sharp and ugly to me.
“Wow, Shaina,” I say, my voice too calm to be anything but dangerous. “You sure you want to be spreading rumors like that in a building full of your colleagues and superiors?”
Both women stiffen. Shaina turns, startled for half a second before she recovers with a smirk. “Relax,Mrs. Miller. We were just talking.”
“Right,” I say flatly. “Because every innocent conversation ends with a comment about your boss’s andmyhusband’s anatomy.”
The HR clerk flushes scarlet and mumbles something about having to get back downstairs before basically sprinting away.
Shaina crosses her arms. “Don’t take it personally, Mya. You’re new at this whole wife thing. But some of us havehistorywith Worth.”
I bite the inside of my cheek so hard it almost hurts. “Funny. He didn’t mention you in any of his stories.”
Shaina’s chin lifts. “Believe me, he wouldn’t have had to. I was just in his office, remember?”
Something inside me snaps.
“Were you? Let’s go confirm that, then.”
Before she can respond, I turn on my heel and march toward Worth’s office.
I don’t knock and just push the door open, hard, only to find him mid-meeting with Henson and two suited clients.
Every head turns in my direction.
Worth blinks. “Mya?”
The silence stretches. My pulse thunders in my ears.
I glance back at Shaina, who’s frozen in the doorway, eyes wide as saucers.
Perfect. Let her squirm.