Chapter 2

I had known Claire for ten years.

I fell for her the moment I saw her during my junior year of college. I spent three years pursuing her and poured everything I had into winning her over before she finally agreed to be with me.

For the next seven years, I loved her with everything in me.

In return, I got lies and betrayal.

What a joke.

I returned to our apartment, numb with disappointment.

I had barely sat down when my mother called.

“Ethan, your father is preparing to step back from the company’s day-to-day operations. The board is discussing succession next month. He’d like you to come home to Boston and sit in on a few meetings, at least.”

My father ran an energy and mining investment group. For the past several years, every time I visited Boston, he left a stack of company reports waiting in his study. But I was always in such a hurry to get back to Claire in New York that I never opened a single one.

“There’s something else,” my mother said after a pause. “Do you remember the Bennetts’ daughter? She just moved back from London. Our families have worked together for years. If you’re interested, I could introduce you when you’re home.”

In the past, I would have cut her off the moment she brought up anything like that. This time, I had no reason to object.

I was quiet for two seconds. “I’m coming back to Boston. And the Bennett daughter…send me her number when I get there.”

“What?” My mother sounded startled. “You’re really coming home?”

“Yes. As soon as I finish handing off my work here.”

There was nothing left in New York that I wanted to hold on to.

The moment I ended the call, I heard the lock turn behind me.

Claire had finally come home after enjoying the rest of her night.

She tossed her purse onto the couch and walked over to me. For once, she offered an explanation without being asked.

“Noah is my former professor’s son, and he’s also my assistant. With everyone watching tonight, I couldn’t humiliate him. That’s why I took his side. You really don’t need to be threatened by someone younger than you.”

I had no desire to argue anymore.

“I’m not threatened.”

“Good.”

Claire smiled, satisfied, then went into the kitchen and heated a glass of milk. She handed it to me when she came back.

“Here. Drink this and get some sleep.”

She made me warm milk every night.

After a brief pause, I accepted it and went straight to the guest room.

Six months earlier, Claire had complained that she was having trouble sleeping and asked us to start sleeping in separate rooms.

I set the milk on the desk, lay down, and stared at the ceiling.

I was exhausted, but sleep wouldn’t come. All I could do was go over everything that had gone wrong between us.

Late that night, I heard the apartment door open. A moment later, faint rustling and hushed voices drifted through the hallway.

Confused, I got out of bed. When I reached the living room, I saw that the primary bedroom door had been left slightly open, a strip of harsh light cutting through the darkness.

I approached as quietly as I could.

As soon as I got close, I heard a familiar male voice.

“Claire, are you sure we shouldn’t close the door? What if Ethan hears us from the guest room?”

“Relax. I put a sleeping pill in his milk. He’ll be out cold by now. I’ve done it before, and he’s never noticed.”

The words struck me like a bolt of lightning.

Their flirtatious voices continued on the other side of the door.

“Claire, did you and Ethan used to do it in this bed too?”

“What are you talking about? I haven’t slept with him in over six months.” Claire gave a soft, playful laugh. “You keep me more than satisfied. Why would I want anyone else?”

I stood frozen outside the bedroom, listening as their voices gave way to unmistakable sounds. Ice seemed to spread from the top of my head to the soles of my feet.

They had been sleeping together right under my nose, and I had been too blind to see it.

I clenched my fists, anger surging through my chest.

Then I forced myself to calm down.

Claire was no longer worth losing control over.