The Mistress He Mourned Helped Me Destroy Him

For five years, Natalie endured her marriage to Garrett Crawford, a Manhattan finance prodigy who kept a carousel of other women and called them appetizers. Then he hired Linnea Brooks, and his obsession became total—flaunted in the same rooms where Natalie's family name hung in bronze plaques, and cruel enough to send her out for contraceptives meant for his mistress.

When Linnea dies in a fiery crash on Bear Mountain, Garrett emerges from seven days barricaded in his wine cellar, filthy and unhinged, and closes his hands around Natalie's throat, accusing her of orchestrating the murder. He threatens to burn the entire Hayes family to ash and vows to come for Natalie and the child she carries.

Natalie throws a glass of water in his face, breaks free, and walks out—driving toward Park Avenue and an appointment made three days earlier, carrying bruises in the shape of his fingers.