"You look so tense like a woman who has spent too many years being ignored by someone who should have worshipped you."
Her eyes widened slightly.
There.
He was too direct, accurate and too shameless.
Her mask cracked around the edges.
Phei did not smile this time, his expression held a quiet seriousness that made the heat of the moment far more dangerous.
"That is a crime," he said softly.
Adriana's throat moved.
Melissa went still by the window and laughed; did he have a death wish?
Roxanne's hand tightened near her side.
Phei's thumb brushed over Adriana's knuckles once more. "And I happen to have terrible respect for bad husbands."
Adriana whispered something intending for a retaliation, "Phei…"
He leaned slightly closer, not enough to trap her, or to make the choice feel stolen, only enough that his presence became impossible to ignore.
"Come with us," he said.
Her eyes widened.
Melissa's brows lifted; everything was going according to plan.
Roxanne's lips parted.
