1: SCANDAL IN THE SHEETS

VIVIAN

I woke up to a tattooed arm draped across my waist.

Derek didn't have tattoos.

I took in the unfamiliar room. Cream walls, boring art, curtains that looked nothing like the ones Derek and I had bought together for our home. My head pounded.

The last thing I remembered was Claire's housewarming party last night. I was drinking orange juice—just orange juice, because I'm seven months pregnant—and then... nothing.

Terror clawed up my throat as I turned. The man beside me had his face half-buried in the pillow as he slept. Dark hair, strong jaw, and those tattoos covering his entire right arm in intricate patterns.

My stomach lurched.

"Nathan?" I whispered.

My stepbrother. My father's son from his second marriage. I haven't seen Nathan Lancaster in eight years since he disappeared after a screaming match with Grandfather about his "wasted potential."

I looked down and we were both naked.

Oh God. Hell no.

I slid out of bed, wincing as my pregnant body protested. My dress, my bra, my undie were all scattered across the floor. I dressed frantically, hands shaking so badly I could barely work the zipper.

This can't be happening. I love Derek more than anything. We've been trying for a baby for three years. The IVF finally worked and I'm seven months pregnant with our miracle babies.

I would never cheat. Especially not with my stepbrother.

The room door exploded open. I screamed, spinning around, one shoe on and one off.

Camera flashes exploded like grenades behind me. Voices overlapped:

"Mrs. Morrison, what do you have to say about the affair?"

"Is the baby your brother's?"

"Mrs. Morrison, you were just announced as CEO of Lancaster Industries—"

"How long has this been going on?"

Nathan's eyes flew open. We stared at each other for three seconds of pure horror. He sat up, clutching the sheet to his chest.

"We've been having an affair," he said loudly, to the cameras. "For years, we've been in love with each other.”

"STOP LYING!" I screamed. "This isn't-I don't know how-"

A reporter shoved a phone in my face, showing me a headline already trending: "LANCASTER HEIRESS CEO CAUGHT IN BED WITH STEPBROTHER."

My hands found my belly protectively. The twins. Oh God, my precious babies, my marriage, my CEO position.

"Get out," I told the cameras, pushing past them. "All of you. Get OUT."

As I ran out, I knew I had to choose which part of my crumbling life to save first.

My husband Derek, who I'd fought to marry against my grandfather's wishes. I'd spent three years loving him while trying to get pregnant and he was finally going to be a father.

Or my CEO position at Lancaster Industries, the role my grandfather had ripped from me three years ago when I married "beneath my status." The role I'd just won back after years of proving myself. One week. I'd been CEO for one week.

No, Derek is more important. I have to explain myself.

But my phone vibrated in my hand.

Grandpa: "Come to the boardroom."

The Lancaster Industries building looked exactly the same as it had yesterday, except yesterday, I'd walked through those doors as CEO.

Today, I was escorted to the boardroom by security.

My grandfather stood at the head of the table, surrounded by board members whose faces I'd memorized, and approval I'd finally won.

Harold Lancaster built this empire from nothing, and he'd never forgiven me for marrying Derek Morrison; a junior analyst from a poor family who'd had the audacity to love his granddaughter.

"Grandfather, I can explain—"

"Can you explain THIS?" He threw a tablet onto the table. My face stared back at me from a dozen websites. "Lancaster CEO in Incestuous Affair."

"Pregnant Heiress Caught with Stepbrother."

"Lancaster Industries Stock Plummets After Scandal."

"It's not what it looks like. I was drugged and possibly even assaulted. You have to believe-"

The slap came so fast I didn't see it coming.

My head snapped sideways. The boardroom went silent. Seven months pregnant, and my grandfather had just struck me in front of his entire executive team.

"You have shamed the Lancaster name once again," he said quietly.

"I didn't do anything-"

"Effective immediately, you are removed from your position as CEO." He wouldn't even look at me. "You will not return to this building. You will not represent Lancaster Industries in any capacity. Security will escort you out."

"Grandfather, please-"

"OUT."

The security guard's hand on my arm was rough. I let him drag me through the building I'd fought so hard to claim. Past the office with my name on the door.

In the lobby, I tried calling Claire. Straight to voicemail.

My hands shook as I scrolled through my contacts. Who could I call before facing my husband?

No one else to give me the emotional support I needed, because I'd isolated myself for three years, trying to prove I was worthy of the Lancaster name. Trying to be the best wife and granddaughter.

I took a cab home, my mind racing. Derek would believe me. He had to believe me. We'd finally gotten pregnant through IVF after so many failures. He'd held me while I cried through every negative test, every failed cycle, every disappointment.

He loved and trusted me.

The house was quiet when I arrived. Derek's car was in the driveway, which meant he was home. Hopefully he hadn't seen the news yet and I could explain before-

I heard groans coming from our bedroom.