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Everyone thought Maya had married into a dream. A billionaire husband. A penthouse in New York. A family name people whispered with envy. Only Sophie saw the dark circles under her eyes. “Has he hurt you?” her best friend asked, pushing a plate of dumplings toward her. Maya stared at the food she once loved and felt nothing. “He hasn’t come home in a month,” she whispered. “He told me he hates me. He said he doesn’t consider me his wife.” Sophie’s face fell. “Then leave him.” But Maya could not answer. How could she explain that she had loved Sebastian Royce for years? That she had once looked at him and believed fate had finally given her someone to belong to? That even now, after his silence, his cruelty, and his disgust, her heart still ran toward him like a fool? Sophie tried to cheer her up by taking her to the most luxurious hotel in the city. The Royce Grand. Maya knew she should leave the moment she saw the name. But before she could run, her grandfather-in-law called. “Maya, tell me the truth. Sebastian isn’t with you, is he?” Maya froze. Then a hand snatched the phone from hers. Sebastian stood behind her, cold and unreadable. “Yes, Grandfather,” he said smoothly. “I’m with her right now.” For one dangerous second, Maya was saved. Then he looked down at her and asked, “Does Grandfather know his precious daughter-in-law hangs out in bars?”