Chapter 9. Family Ties, Hidden Lies

Max’s POV

The slideshow lasted longer than I had patience for. My mind kept drifting, and the board members’ discussion became a background noise. When the final slide finally disappeared and the room broke into proprietary applause, I stood quietly and left, my jaw tight.

The moment I was in my office, my anger grew.

Aaliyah was in my chair. My chair. Crossed legs, well-manicured fingers tapping on my desk as if it were hers. The smile on her lips but not extend to the lines around the corners of her eyes.

“You’re late,” she said with annoyance dripping from her voice.

“And you’re in my office.”

She shrugged, her eyes shining with amusement. “We’re married, Max. What’s mine is yours, don’t you recall?”

Good God, how has five months gone by since I’d been married to her? When I looked at her, I felt nothing. No desire. No compulsion. Only a chill, bitter resentment of what I had to let go.

The reality was, I spent the majority o