Chapter 1

The Starlight Charity Ball glittered.

Chandeliers dripped crystals, casting light on expensive gowns and tailored tuxedos.

Alex Hawthorne stood beside his wife, Brittany Miller.

He wore a simple, dark suit. It was well-made but unremarkable.

Brittany, however, blazed in red sequins, a diamond necklace heavy on her throat.

Her family, the Millers, were "new money," rich from Miller Retail Corp.

Alex was, to everyone here, the quiet husband living off that fortune.

His own business ventures had supposedly failed.

He heard the whispers often. "Kept man." "Brittany's little freeloader."

Tonight, the whispers felt louder.

Brittany didn't try to silence them. She seemed to enjoy them.

Her arm was linked not with Alex, but with Chad Peterson.

Chad was young, handsome, muscles bulging under his tight suit. Her personal trainer, her current infatuation.

"Alex, try not to embarrass me tonight," Brittany said, her voice sharp enough to cut glass.

She didn't look at him. Her eyes were on Chad.

Alex nodded, his face unreadable. "Of course, Brittany."

The auction began. The main item: naming rights for a new children's hospital wing.

A wave of polite interest went through the crowd.

Chad leaned close to Brittany, his voice a stage whisper. "Imagine, 'The Chad Peterson Wing.' Has a nice ring, doesn't it, B?"

Brittany giggled, a high, tinkling sound. "It does, darling! We should get it for you."

The auctioneer started the bidding.

"Fifty thousand to start!"

Hands went up. The price climbed.

Chad, prompted by a nudge from Brittany, raised his paddle. "One hundred thousand!"

Brittany beamed at him, then shot a contemptuous glance at Alex.

Alex watched, his expression mild.

The bidding stalled at one hundred fifty thousand.

"One hundred fifty thousand, going once..."

Chad looked smug. Brittany squeezed his arm.

Then, a quiet voice. "One hundred sixty thousand."

It was Alex.

The auctioneer paused, surprised. "A bid from Mr. Alex Hawthorne!"

Brittany whirled on Alex, her face flushed with anger.

"Alex! What do you think you're doing?" she hissed.

Chad snorted. "Using your money, B, that's what."

The nearby guests tittered.

Alex met Brittany's glare. "I'm bidding on the hospital wing."

"With what?" Brittany scoffed. "The allowance I give you?"

More laughter. Alex felt the eyes on him, mocking, dismissive.

He had married Brittany as part of a deal with her father, Robert Miller.

A deal to save Miller Retail Corp from ruin, using Alex's silent, vast resources.

Robert knew the truth. Brittany did not.

She thought the money that saved her family was just a clever loan her father secured.

Alex had promised Robert he would try to make the marriage work, to protect Brittany.

His patience, however, was not infinite.