Chapter 1

Ethan's black Maybach pulled up to the curb.

He was taking me to the annual Children's Foundation Gala.

I smoothed down my custom Oscar de la Renta gown.

He always ran a little late. Classic Ethan.

I opened the passenger door, a smile ready.

It froze.

A young woman sat in my seat.

Bright, pretty, with a sunshine smile aimed directly at me.

"Mrs. Miller, hi!" she chirped.

She didn't move. Not an inch.

My smile vanished. I looked at Ethan.

He was on his phone, one hand raised in a placating gesture towards me, his attention on the call.

The gala. Our night. I'd spent weeks planning my look, anticipating this evening with him.

And his passenger seat, *my* passenger seat, was occupied.

"Hi, Mrs. Miller. I'm Chloe, Mr. Miller's new intern," the girl said, her voice sweet, almost cloying.

Two perfect dimples appeared.

"He asked me to help with some last-minute gala documents. You don't mind, do you? I can just stay here, I won't be any trouble."

My stomach dropped.

I knew Ethan. Knew him better than anyone.

He maintained distance. Professional. Always.

He never let women, other than me, into his personal space. Especially not his car.

We were a merger, a powerful alliance of two prominent families.

People whispered I'd be lonely.

But after we made it official, Ethan would hold me, his eyes soft.

When passion took him, a faint blush would creep up his neck.

He'd said, "You're my wife, Olivia. We're a unit. You're different."

Today, something felt very, very different.