My secret lover is the CEO

It's common knowledge that Ethan married me only because I look like his first love.

Three years of marriage, and he never once slept with me, because he thought it would be a desecration of his first love.

On the surface, I was madly in love with him. In reality, I was blowing through his money like crazy and keeping a man on the side.

But now there's a problem.

The man I've been keeping... how does he look exactly like the richest man in New York? And even have the same name?

Chapter 1

As I was picking out clothes for tonight's date, Ethan Hayes pulled his Rolls-Royce Phantom into the driveway.

I quickly shoved the pile of La Perla lingerie and the brand-new Agent Provocateur sets back into the closet and slammed the door shut.

The second Ethan stepped inside the house, my whole mood flipped-my eyes instantly welled up, looking fragile and on the verge of tears.

"You actually came home," I said, my voice carrying just the right amount of choke.

Ethan strode over, towering in his Tom Ford suit. He looked down at me. "Ava's back in the country, Wen."

Ava-his first love. Supposedly a woman who looks just like me.

"Our marriage contract is for three years."

"Today marks two years and eight months."

I stared at him in shock, disbelief written all over my face. "You want a divorce?"

"I'll honor the full three years," he said flatly, "but only if you don't use this to threaten Ava."

His phone rang. He turned to leave.

I grabbed his arm, voice thick with desperation. "Ethan, don't go. I'll do anything. Please don't leave."

He glanced at my hand. "Ava's flight just landed. I'm picking her up. Can you stop being so dramatic?"

Tears poured down my cheeks. "But today is our two-year-and-eight-month anniversary... it's my last birthday as your wife. Will you stay with me? Just tonight?"

He paused for two seconds, then pried my fingers loose.

"Sorry. Ava needs me more."

The front door clicked shut.

I stood there stunned for a full three seconds, listening to the Rolls-Royce drive away, then wiped my face with the back of my hand.

All the sad performance vanished.

Finally.

I picked up my phone and dialed "Hot & Hung."

"Baby, I'm on my way. Lie naked in bed waiting for me~"

A low, lazy male chuckle came through. "I've been waiting. Hurry up-I'm getting impatient."

Ethan married me for two reasons.

First, I looked fifty percent like his first love.

Second, his family threatened to kick him out of the Hayes Group inheritance and board seat unless he got married-any wife would do.

I had zero complaints.

The Hayes family was obscenely rich.

Especially after Ethan started openly sleeping around to "satisfy his desires" while still insisting Ava was "pure," his parents felt even sorrier for me. They bumped my monthly allowance up to seven figures-basically telling me to enjoy myself.

"Husband's not home? Then go spend money." That's what they said.

Two years ago I bought a waterfront estate on Long Island and installed my perfect boy toy there-broad shoulders, narrow waist, impressive equipment, and stamina for days.

God, my life was perfect.

...

I reached the estate before ten.

The moment I stepped through the door, a tall figure pinned me against the wall. A hot, demanding kiss swallowed me whole.

I pushed him once, twice-then gave up and kissed him back.

His technique was lethal; I'd known that for two years.

When we finally broke apart, both breathing hard, he buried his face in my neck like a big cat, nuzzling.

"You're late. I've been dying here." Alexander's voice was low and husky.

He was wrapped in nothing but a low-slung towel, water droplets still clinging to his ripped abs.

I ran my hands over those abs, eyes sparkling. "Less talking, more doing."

He smirked darkly, grabbed my wandering hand, and flipped our positions.

...

"Again?"

Alexander leaned over me, voice thick with desire.

The bedroom looked like a crime scene-clothes everywhere, my carefully chosen outfit draped over the headboard.

I shook my head. "No, I'm exhausted."

He rolled to his side, pulled me close, and kissed my cheek. "Then sleep."

I pushed him away, got up, and quickly dressed. I pulled a check from my wallet.

"This is ten million-consider it severance for the last two years." I pressed the check into his hand.

His face darkened instantly, all the excitement gone.

"You're dumping me?"

I smiled. "I'm about to be single again. You really want to follow me around like a stray?"

Ava was back. The three-year contract was almost up.

Once the divorce was finalized, I'd cash out, disappear, and live the rich-girl life I'd always dreamed of.

So many male models waiting to be spoiled-why tie myself to one tree?

Alexander stayed silent.

That was enough.

I grabbed my bag and walked out.

Two steps later, something shattered in the room.

I didn't stop.

Being dumped after two years of being kept is painful for anyone.

But that wasn't my problem.

I hoped he'd get over it soon.

For the next four months, I still had to play the perfect Hayes wife.

Like tonight-Ethan dragged me to the Mellon Family Foundation charity gala, a huge event where old money and new money pretended to care about orphans while networking like crazy.

I hid in a corner, eating mini cupcakes.

"Is that her? The Hayes wife nobody talks about?"

"She looks so ordinary. No wonder Ethan cheats."

"Who eats cupcakes at a gala? So embarrassing."

"Probably because he never takes her anywhere. She's from nowhere-just a trophy wife."

A group of rich girls whispered nearby.

I ignored them. The Upper East Side scene was toxic.

The whispers kept going.

"What bracelet is that? I've never seen the brand."

"Probably from Etsy."

"No, that's Lunara. You can't even buy it with money-she must be wearing a fake."

Suddenly a clear voice cut in.

"What are you all whispering about? If you have something to say, say it to her face."

Miraculously, the nasty girls shut up. They actually looked scared.

Ava Chen.

She gave me an apologetic smile, her gaze lingering on my bracelet for two seconds before sliding away.

I didn't engage.

I finished my cupcake, stood up, and went looking for Ethan.

A server bumped into me, spilling red wine all over my dress.

We both froze.

The server apologized profusely.

Ava appeared, holding a garment bag. "Are you okay? That stain won't come out. I just picked this up from the dry cleaner-emergency change?"

She pressed the bag into my hands.

Huh. Ethan's first love actually seemed... decent?

I thanked her and headed to the restroom.

As I wove through the crowd, I spotted a familiar figure.

My pupils shrank.

Same face.

Exactly the same.

Alexander...

I'd known the name for a while-the Mellon family was old New York royalty, into real estate, finance, media, everything.

I'd always assumed my boy toy just happened to share the name.

But now... he stood there in a custom tux, radiating old-money arrogance, nothing like the naked guy I knew.

My fingers shook as I pulled out my phone and dialed "Hot & Hung."

Across the room, Alexander excused himself from his conversation, checked his phone, then stepped aside.

"Hey?"

That low, familiar voice.

I froze.

Silence.

He turned, scanning the crowd until his eyes locked on me.

He smiled.

My eyes widened.