My husband vanished for three years, then walked back in with a mistress, a baby, and five luxury suitcases. He threw $10,000 at me and said, "Take it and disappear." I smiled, signed the divorce papers, and drove him to the house where his mother had been waiting for 100 days to tell him the one truth that would cost him everything.

Valeria’s charity gala was held in a breathtaking, incredibly lavish penthouse overlooking the glittering Manhattan skyline. I wore a stunning, floor-length emerald gown that Eleanor had bought for me years ago. I walked confidently into the massive ballroom, clutching the encrypted federal tablet tightly in my designer clutch. Agent Vance was disguised perfectly as my wealthy date, wearing a sharp black tuxedo and a hidden earpiece. Dozens of undercover agents were subtly scattered throughout the glamorous, champagne-sipping crowd. "Target is approaching from the north corridor," Vance whispered almost silently without moving his lips. Valeria emerged from the VIP section, flanked by three massive, incredibly intimidating bodyguards in dark suits. "Elena, you look absolutely ravishing," Valeria purred, offering a fake, highly toxic smile. "Please, let us step into my private office and conclude our unfortunate business." Vance gently placed a reassuring hand on the small of my back as we followed her away from the crowded ballroom. The private office was heavily soundproofed and guarded by two more armed men standing near the heavy mahogany doors. Sitting at the desk was a nervous-looking tech expert with a high-powered laptop. "Transfer the funds, Elena," Valeria commanded, dropping all pretenses of high-society politeness. I pulled the encrypted tablet from my purse, my heart hammering violently against my ribcage. I entered Julian’s narcissistic password and initiated the massive digital transfer to Valeria’s provided account. The progress bar on the screen slowly ticked upward. Fifty percent. Seventy percent. Ninety percent. "Wait," the nervous tech expert suddenly shouted, his fingers freezing over his keyboard. "There is a massive data anomaly attached to the blockchain signature. This is a federal tracking trojan!" Valeria’s beautiful face twisted instantly into a mask of pure, demonic fury. "Kill them both right now!" Valeria screamed aggressively at her armed guards. Before the massive bodyguards could even draw their concealed weapons, Vance completely erupted into violent action.