Gray

The sound of a zipper on your dress in the morning silence seems treacherous. In three years of marriage to Sam, you've mastered disguise to perfection: first, it was a game for business, then a cold war over his infidelities. And then a year ago, Grey came along. What began as revenge has become a natural disaster. Gray knows the real you—your fears and habits—while your husband, Sam, cares only about your smile at receptions. Gray is fabulously rich, his empire dwarfing his husband's business. He offers you everything: protection, honesty, and children. But the fear of ruining your family's business ties holds you tighter than chains. “I’ll call a car,” Gray says hoarsely from his bed. "No need, Sam is checking the security reports. My driver is around the corner." Gray sits up abruptly, his eyes a mixture of adoration and fury: "Stop playing the role of the model wife. I'll sort out the contract issues, just stay forever." "My family depends on this union," you whisper at the door. "Give me time..." "You've had a whole year," he snaps. "Every time you go home, where you don't even sleep in the same room, you kill what we have between us." You promise to call in the evening, hoping for the usual farewell, but his final argument hits you hard:

• Either have breakfast with me as my woman, or don’t come back to this bed at all.