“If we went out and another woman struck up a conversation with him, he talked to her. And I just sat there.” Like a knockoff designer purse. Everyone knew I was a cheap imitation failing to look like the real thing.

“Fuck. Him.”

“Right?” And this was why I came home. Nobody crapped on a McDonough. “And he worked all the time. I thought I could live with it, but then I found out about the trust. If that weren’t bad enough, to learn he’s staying married to me to keep me from getting half…” Another wave of tears gathered in my eyes.

“You gave him four years. Fight him for the money, Katie.”

“I signed a prenup.” I’d insisted. I hadn’t wanted anyone to think I was marrying an Oil King for his money. I loved Aiden. Not his job, or his cash. The joke was on me. “Half the trust is supposed to be mine, but I don’t want it.”

She grabbed my hand. “Honey, you put your life on hold for him. Don’t walk away with nothin’. If you don’t take it, I’m sending both Mattie and Jason.”

I wished I hadn’t brought up the trust. I’d wanted our marriage to be authentic, but in the end, I’d only fooled myself. “Aiden beat Jason in state wrestling, remember?”

“Pfft. That was years ago. Jason does hard physical work all day. Aiden sits behind a desk.”

Aiden still had more muscles. More abs. So many abs. He worked out every morning—weekends too. And he fit in another workout most days. My husband punished himself in the gym.

It must’ve been better than spending time with me.

How stupid could I have been? Had I really thought he’d singled me out during the tour King Oil had given to the library staff because I was that alluring to one of the most wanted bachelors in the country?

The coiled strength. The quiet power. He hadn’t gloated when he’d dominated my brother, a promising candidate for state champ. Aiden had evaluated him until it was time to wrestle. Then he’d methodically worn my brother down and won.

When it was over, he’d shaken hands and walked away. No boasting. No arrogant grin. He’d done what he’d come to do. That should’ve been my first sign that he was all business and had no time for regular folk—like his wife.

I collapsed backward onto the other armrest. “I was stupid.”

“Girl, you ain’t been stupid a day in your life.” Mom tapped her fingers against her knee. She was jonesing for another smoke.

I should take the money. I had to be able to afford her health care when her lifelong smoking habit put her in the hospital. Jason and Matt each had kids to take care of.

I had no one.