Chapter 1

I’d spent the entire day discussing projects, and exhaustion weighed on every inch of me. With the last shred of restraint I had left, I gave Lara Sterling one final chance.

"Are you sure you want me to sleep in the guest room?"

Hearing the coldness in my voice, Lara frowned and set the fruit platter down with a hard thud.

"What is that supposed to mean, Nolan Taylor? Kyson is still a kid. We’re family. What’s wrong with us lying in the same bed?

"Don’t judge us through your own dirty-minded assumptions and make everything sound inappropriate. Kyson’s insomnia has gotten so bad. What’s wrong with me staying with him?

"If you behave and stop making a scene, we’ll celebrate our anniversary properly next week."

I watched the woman in front of me continue talking without pause. I was too exhausted to say another word, so I merely nodded, pretending to agree.

Lara seemed satisfied with my response. She picked up the fruit and turned to leave.

Forcing myself to keep moving, I went into the walk-in closet, grabbed two changes of clothes, and took a cab to a hotel.

Half an hour later, Lara apparently realized I wasn’t in the villa’s guest room and began calling me nonstop.

My phone rang until the battery finally died. Only then did it go quiet.

Kyson Ellis was a disadvantaged student Lara had begun sponsoring before we were married. When he entered his senior year of high school, Lara brought him to live with us so she could take care of him personally.

At first, I wasn’t comfortable living under the same roof with a strange teenage boy, but Lara begged me again and again until I finally gave in.

She said Kyson was pitiful. He had lost both his parents at a young age, and the SAT was one of the most important events of his life. She would only feel at ease if she could keep him close and care for him herself.

She said she respected my decision, but I couldn’t bear watching her lose sleep night after night over him.

So I softened far too easily.

Then, two days ago, Kyson’s SAT scores came out.

He rushed over to us, grinning as he showed us a screenshot of his score.

A near-perfect 1590.

I couldn’t understand it.

He had rarely broken 1100 on any of his practice tests throughout senior year. How had he suddenly scored in the top percentile nationwide?

But Lara didn’t notice anything suspicious. She was so thrilled that she announced on the spot that she was granting Kyson "Adult Privilege."

"Starting today, Nolan and I will gradually introduce you to the adult world. Whatever adults are allowed to do, we’ll support you in doing it."

Support him, indeed.

She supported him so openly that he moved straight into our master bedroom.

Seven years ago, out of all the women my family had considered suitable marriage prospects, I chose Lara because she seemed the most compassionate and attentive.

She truly was compassionate.

That compassion simply wasn’t reserved for me.

…

For the sake of the important meeting the next morning, I forced myself to sleep for a few hours.

When I arrived at the office, I heard excited voices outside before I had even stepped out of the elevator.

"Kyson is incredible! I've never seen an SAT score like that!"