Sabrina closed her eyes and her face crumbled. “Because I spent the night with him.” Her voice pitched lower and cracked. “And now Renny knows.”
Chapter Two
Six weeks later…
If asked to name a city in Brazil, most people would mention Rio de Janeiro, the home of easily the most famous carnival celebration in the world. However, Sao Paulo was just as important, if not more so. As the financial heart and soul of Brazil, it was the largest city on the continent and the fifth largest in the world. Its shopping districts were well known; it was foodie heaven, filled with every type of ethnic restaurant imaginable because of the rich diversity of its occupants. It also boasted some of the most expensive real estate in all of South America.
So it made sense that Silva Development Group, commonly known as SDG, would be headquartered here in the country’s commercial center.
Renaldo stood on one side of his desk at the corporate offices of his company. On the other side, Paulo Raposo, his assistant and right hand man, sat with one leg crossed over the other, reviewing the two pages Renaldo handed him when he’d entered the office.
His concerned gaze met Renaldo’s. “You do realize what a problem this presents for you?”
“Of course I realize it. That’s why I wanted to see you.” Paulo had been his father’s assistant, too, when he’d been alive, and had seen his share of disasters. This was probably one of the biggest, if not the biggest. At least it was to Renaldo.
The papers were a letter from Mayor Salazar’s office with the time and date for an interview with Semanal, one of the largest magazines in the country. Paulo also held an invitation to the special event the mayor was hosting to mark the midway point of his second term. An affair to which the mayor had invited Renaldo and Sabrina, where he’d present a plaque to Renaldo for his leadership in the business community.
“I thought of doing the interview myself and attending the celebration alone, but this morning the mayor’s assistant called to confirm that ‘all is well’ and Sabrina and I will be able to participate in both events. The mayor must have heard about our separation. I need to make a clean break from this woman. But how, without jeopardizing the Avenida Paulista project?”
Paulo rubbed the back of his neck. “I don’t see how that’s possible. She was an integral part of SDG, including that project. Clearly, the mayor wants to see the two of you.” He gestured with the document to drive his point home. “He sees this project as his legacy after he leaves office. He needs it to go smoothly.”
“I know.”
“Letting Sabrina go could be a costly mistake. The last thing you want to do is create an impression of disorder in the ranks of your company. After the fiasco with the Germans, I can understand why the mayor is worried.”
Renaldo paced behind the desk, running his hand over his short black hair. “So can I, but we’re getting a divorce. His fears about the project could adversely affect my personal life.”
Avenida Paulista was one of the most important thoroughfares in Sao Paulo. Many commercial enterprises were headquartered there. A German company had started the mixed-use development, Estação Central, on Avenida Paulista several years ago, but after a headline-grabbing scandal, their CEO and CFO had resigned. With such a major upheaval, the company lost its direction as well as its investors and went bankrupt, leaving behind abandoned buildings and undeveloped green space. It was a stain on the mayor’s record—one he wanted to blot out in his second term.
SDG had won the bid to finish the project. It was quite a coup, considering the fierce competition and the last minute changes he and Sabrina had made to the proposal mere hours before a courier had delivered it to the mayor’s office. Part of the reason they’d won the bid was because of the financial health of his company, which reassured the mayor he wouldn’t have another fiasco on his hands.
The other part was because of Sabrina.
Much as Renaldo hated to admit it, hated to be beholden to the lying, cheating witch, her expertise and knowledge had helped nail the bid.
Paulo watched him with a thoughtful look on his face. “You must admit, the company has seen significant strides since you brought her on board.”
Renaldo begrudgingly admitted to himself that Sabrina had become an important part of the firm. She was a whiz with numbers, and her area of expertise was mergers and acquisitions. Her ability to analyze figures had proved invaluable. Her shrewd financial mind had aided him in ferreting out areas in his business where he could save costs, and she’d also implemented budget cuts and financial business practices that streamlined operations and created a more profitable bottom-line. With her managing the financial aspects of the business, he’d been free to travel, network, and pursue opportunities.
Then Folha, the daily newspaper with the largest circulation in Sao Paulo, had dubbed them The Dynamic Duo in its pages. Reporters had clamored to interview them and wanted to know everything about the woman their native son had brought back from the United States. The edited version of her rise from poverty in the slums of Chicago to a significant player in one of the most successful firms in Brazil became an inspirational piece in business circles.
“We’re getting a divorce,” Renaldo reminded Paulo. Of that there was no doubt. “What do you suggest I do about this problem?”
“You have to find a way to convince the mayor you’re not separated. At least for now.”
Renaldo had managed to keep this out of the press so far, but he didn’t know how much longer that would last. “How do you propose I do that? She no longer works here, and soon everyone will know we’re getting a divorce.”
“And word will get back to the mayor, confirming any rumors he’s already heard,” Paulo said.
“Your point is…?”
Paulo hesitated and then plodded on. “All your hard work could unravel. You still have almost a full month left in the probation period Mayor Salazar implemented to avoid another problem like he had with the Germans. You could potentially lose this project if he thinks your company is unstable.” He leaned forward. “I think you should bring her back on board and act as if nothing happened until you get past the probation period.”
Renaldo froze, every cell in his body rejecting the suggestion. That was the last thing he needed—to see her every day and be reminded of what she’d done. And those photos. Those goddamn photos. He couldn’t get them out of his head. Saw them when he slept. When he ate. When he showered.
“No. There’s no way I’m letting that woman back into the building.” Or his life.
“What’s the alternative? Are you willing to risk losing your biggest development project to date and the fallout that would follow?”
Renaldo resumed pacing. “I can’t bring her back here. There must be another way.”
“If you think of it, let me know.”
Renaldo was used to Paulo’s sharp tongue, but today he found it scraped his nerves. Especially because he was right.
There was too much at stake. Not just on the business front, but there were so many people depending on him. After his father’s death, they’d lost everything because his mother had been ill equipped to run a company and hadn’t had the necessary expertise in investing in real estate, an industry his father had worked in all his life.
Since winning the contract, Renaldo had mapped out which family members would come on board and participate in the project. A small crew of workers had already started preliminary work at the site. If the mayor took back the contract, not only would the fallout from the bad press significantly hurt SDG’s reputation, Renaldo stood to lose a large amount of money. He didn’t want her here, but without her the mayor could become uneasy.
“This is a nightmare,” he mumbled, turning to look out over the vastness of Sao Paulo. Here was the hub of the country’s commerce, and he was in the thick of it with this deal. He couldn’t risk having it fall apart because he’d been foolish enough to offer a woman his love and trust—both of which she’
d been unworthy to receive.
The images of Sabrina and the other man flashed across his mind’s eye, stiffening his body with the pain he’d felt and the bitter taste of betrayal. A full six weeks had passed since he’d thrown her out of their penthouse, yet he hadn’t found a way to heal the gaping hole in his chest that had followed after she ripped his heart out. He hated to have to give in.
“Fine. I’ll bring her back.” And somehow he’d learn to stomach having her around.
“Would you like me to speak to her for you?” Paulo rose to his feet. He was a good friend to make the offer since Renaldo now only communicated with her through his attorney.
“No.” He would handle Sabrina.
“Do you think she’ll go along with it?”
Sabrina pursued money in a way he’d never seen in another woman. She always wanted to move forward, work late, find the next opportunity.
He insisted on a healthy balance between work and leisure, but Sabrina didn’t know what a healthy balance was. There were times he had to practically drag her from the office. If there was one thing he was certain of, it was that he could convince her, but the price had to be right.
“Yes,” he replied. “I’ll make her an offer she can’t refuse.”
Paulo looked skeptical. “What if she does, though? She may see this as an opportunity to get a lot of money out of you. She could easily argue for half of the net value of this deal.”
“Half?” Renaldo balked at the idea. He turned to stare out of the window again, at the hive of activity below him. There was no way she’d get half of anything. “I’ll make her see reason.”
Only Paulo and his closest family knew about the separation. Renaldo looked down at the wedding band on his finger. He’d removed it temporarily right after he’d discovered Sabrina’s infidelity, but then he’d put it back on, preferring to keep it in place until the divorce was final so he wouldn’t have to answer questions.
He thought again about what Paulo had said. Half.
Had it been worth it? If she tried to get more than he offered, he’d fight her tooth and nail.
But in the back of his mind, all he could think was, if she’d been in a better position to fight him and win…it would have been worth more than half of this deal. It would have been worth half of everything he owned for the short period of happiness they’d shared as husband and wife.
* * * *
“You’re still in love with him.” Jewel stood in front of Sabrina with her arms crossed and watched as she picked up her maroon dress. “It’s not a good idea to go see him.”
Sabrina slipped the dress over her head. Of course she was still in love with Renaldo. He hadn’t been the one to break their vows. “I have to, Jewel.” She turned her back so her cousin could zip her up.
“Why do you have to?”
“Because he asked, and I have to see what he wants.”
“He tossed you out of your home and for weeks he refused to speak to you personally. And why are you still wearing your rings?”
Sabrina remained silent. She had no intention of answering Jewel, and she had no intention of taking off her rings. They gave her a sense of comfort; besides, she was still married up until the divorce papers were signed.
“Fine, I’ll drop it,” Jewel grumbled. “But what could he possibly want now?”
“I don’t know, but I’m going to find out.” Sabrina applied lipstick in the mirror.
“I don’t want to see you get hurt anymore. You don’t deserve it. You’ve always been too hard on yourself. You made a mistake, which means you’re human like the rest of us.”
“That’s a pretty terrible mistake, Jewel.” Sabrina went over to the closet to get her shoes. It was difficult to talk about her infidelity. She still didn’t understand what had happened that night. She’d done some bad things in her life that she was ashamed of, but she’d never thought of herself as a cheater. And how could she have cheated on the one man she’d ever loved—loved with all her heart and soul? It didn’t make sense. “I cheated, and I have to accept the consequences of my actions.”
After a couple of weeks on the sleeper sofa in Jewel’s one-bedroom apartment, Sabrina had found a place of her own to sublet. Her attorney had advised her not to move back to the States until the divorce was final, which shouldn’t be much longer.
In the meantime, she’d managed to find a part-time consulting position with a U.S. company setting up shop in Sao Paulo. The rest of the time she kept herself busy researching companies and sending off her resume. She hoped to have a job lined up by the time she returned to Chicago, although she’d consider options elsewhere.
She thought about the snarky “Thank You” card she’d sent to her old bosses at Global Investments, Inc. to express her appreciation at how poorly they’d treated her. Even with good grades and graduating from a top business school, she hadn’t received any respect from the firm’s higher-ups. It had been a blessing in disguise. If it hadn’t been for their lack of trust and sexist attitudes toward her, she might never have taken the steps to marry Renaldo and invest her career in a future with him. She’d been living the good life for over a year, but times had changed. She’d take a job just about anywhere at this point.
“I shouldn’t have let you drink that night,” Jewel said.
“There was nothing different about that night than any other night,” Sabrina said. “You and I always hung out together when he was out of town.”
“I just feel so terrible.” Jewel sagged against the dresser.
Sabrina laid a comforting hand on her cousin’s shoulder and looked into eyes that were the same light brown tint as hers. “Do not feel guilty. I know that if you’d seen me leaving with him you would have stopped me.”
Jewel nodded, her eyes downcast. “Whatever Renaldo wants, I hope it works out for the best for you.”
“Me, too.”
Sabrina felt a nervous twinge in her stomach at the thought of seeing Renaldo again after so long, but she knew before she met him, she’d have to bolster her nerves. He was a hard negotiator, and she needed to be strong when she met him.
“How’s the job going?” she asked Jewel.
Sabrina paid the rent at Jewel’s apartment. Renaldo had offered to place her in one of his complexes, but Sabrina had insisted she wanted to cover the costs. In exchange for paying the rent and utilities, they had an agreement that Jewel would keep a part-time job to cover her other expenses. Jewel worked as a waitress at a restaurant within walking distance. The pay wasn’t great, but it was the first time Sabrina had ever known her cousin to have a job. She was proud that Jewel was handling the responsibility so well and for being clean and sober for over a year now.
“It’s fine, and you’re trying to change the subject.”
“I am, but I really do want to know if everything is okay with you. Are you still happy there?”
Jewel shrugged. “I wish I had other skills so I could earn more money, but it’ll do for now.”
She didn’t want Jewel to get discouraged and had always checked to make sure she was still attending her Narcotics Anonymous meetings. She’d been happy when they finally found one that offered the meetings in English.
“Hang in there. It takes time. You have to crawl before you can walk.”
Sabrina picked up her purse and checked for cash. At the same time, she tried to remember the details of that night, but as always, her brain hit a brick wall. She couldn’t remember anything after her second mixed drink. She didn’t drink much except for wine, and granted, the drinks were strong, but to get so sloppy drunk she couldn’t remember the rest of the night was unheard of for her. She’d been so scarred by the whole experience she hadn’t touched another alcoholic beverage since.
Normally, she and Jewel went out to dinner or did something else together when Renaldo left town, but that night Jewel had wanted to go dancing at a club. At first Sabrina had said no, worried about having Jewel enter that type of environment because of her a
ddiction, but she’d given in after Jewel reminded her she had been sober for over a year.
Mateo had been one of the many men who approached them. Sabrina initially thought his interest was in Jewel, so how they’d ended up back at her home, she didn’t know. But the following morning, she’d woken up in bed naked and groggy and with a pounding headache. Next to her on the bed was a note.
I had a great time last night. I’ll be in touch. Mateo
She’d checked her cell phone and found numerous missed calls from Jewel and a voice message from her cousin demanding to know where she was and if she was okay. And even though her brain hadn’t been able to accept the meaning of the note, it all became clear when the first set of photos arrived in an envelope with no return address.
That’s when the nightmare had begun.
She’d never told Jewel or shown her the photos. She’d shredded them, and soon afterward a demand for money came. It was a large sum, and she’d paid it, desperate not to lose Renaldo and everything she’d worked so hard to achieve. The second time was the same—the photos showed up and the demand for money came after.
The third set had arrived late the day before Renaldo came back from his overseas trip. She’d quickly hidden them in the desk when Vera, the housekeeper, entered to clean up. She’d left them there overnight. Sick to her stomach and knowing that another request for money would follow, she wondered how she would ever get out of the mess she was in. She worked late the following day, and since she hadn’t shredded the photos like she normally did, she planned to do it as soon as she arrived home. But he’d found them first.
It killed her to think she’d caused him pain. How it must have hurt for him to see her in an embrace with Mateo in their bed. To have seen her lying side by side with him, one breast exposed, her eyes closed, and her head resting on his shoulder while he looked into a camera held in his outstretched hand.
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