CHAPTER 1

EVELYN

“We're going to swap partners, Evelyn.”

Adrian said it so casually, as if he were merely discussing plans for a weekend getaway.

The teacup in my hand trembled violently, and the warm liquid inside nearly spilled over the rim.

“What did you just say?” I stared at him in disbelief, hoping the pounding in my chest was nothing more than a misunderstanding. “You're joking, right?”

“I'm serious, Evelyn.” Adrian took my hand, gently squeezing my fingers as if to reassure me. “It's an exclusive private party attended by some of the wealthiest tycoons in the world. Victor Devereaux will be there, too. If I can secure his investment, we can save our company.”

The mention of Victor Devereaux instantly silenced me. He was known as a ruthless predator in the commercial satellite and technology industries, a cold-blooded businessman who never invested in anything without crushing his competitors in the process.

But since when did a business deal have to be paid for with a wife's loyalty?

“Why does it have to happen this way?” I quickly pulled my hand away. “We've only been married for a year, Adrian! You're asking me to give my body to a stranger in exchange for an investment?”

“That's not what I meant—”

“Then what do you mean? Do you expect me to smile and sit pretty while watching my own husband sleep with another woman?”

Adrian fell silent.

I wanted him to admit that this was all some terrible joke. Instead, what he did next left me utterly stunned. The man who had pursued me relentlessly for years slowly stepped forward and knelt right in front of me.

Adrian had always taken pride in his dignity. Seeing him kneel like this made my defenses crumble almost instantly, even as my common sense screamed at me to reject his request.

“Evelyn, please.” His voice softened, thick with desperation. “I know this sounds insane. But it's the only way to save everything we've built. If I fail, our company and our future will be ruined.”

I stared at him, my chest aching.

Memories of our past flashed through my mind. Back in graduate school, Adrian had been a notorious playboy, always surrounded by women and accustomed to getting whatever he wanted with ease. But I had been the exception. As one of the campus's most admired students, I was known for my beauty, simplicity, and the fact that I was nearly impossible to win over.

That challenge had driven Adrian to pursue me relentlessly. And once he'd finally broken through my defenses and won my heart near graduation, he'd wasted no time making me his wife.

To make sure his love was genuine and not motivated by my family background, I'd deliberately concealed my identity. He knew me as Evelyn Clearwater, an ordinary woman, rather than Evelyn Clearwater Rothwell, the sole heiress to a business empire so vast that my family's wealth could buy this entire venue in an instant.

I wanted him to love me for who I was and take pride in his own achievements. The truth was, I could have asked my father, Carlisle Rothwell, to save Adrian's company in a matter of seconds. But I'd chosen not to, determined to protect my husband's pride.

And now, after a year of quiet sacrifices, this was what I got in return: a disgusting proposition.

“I won't touch another woman,” Adrian continued quickly, pressing a reassuring kiss to my fingers. “We just need to attend the party and play along with their rules on the surface. You don't have to do anything you don't want to do. No one will lay a hand on you.”

“Then why do we have to swap partners at all?”

“Because it's the only way to earn their trust and become part of their circle.” His grip tightened around my hand. “I'm doing this for our future, sweetheart. I'm not asking you to do this for fun.”

“And what about my dignity as your wife?” My voice trembled, barely rising above a whisper. “Have you even thought about how I feel?”

“Of course I have.” Adrian held my gaze, feeding me the same sweet lies that had always been enough to disarm me. “You're my wife. Nothing can ever change that.”

I wanted to believe him. Truly, I did. I desperately wanted to cling to his sweet promises and convince myself that our marriage was safe, that this was nothing more than a formality on paper.

With trembling hands, I drew a deep breath before helping him to his feet.

“For the sake of your career... I'll agree to it. But remember this, Adrian. Just because I'm doing this doesn't mean I approve of the way you're treating me.”

Relief immediately lit up Adrian's face. He pulled me into his arms as though he'd just won a massive bet.

“Thank you, sweetheart. I promise you won't regret this.”

I returned his embrace, even as unease continued to settle deep in my chest.

“Adrian, promise me one more time. You won't touch another woman there.”

“I promise.”

His answer came so quickly that I barely had time to study his expression. Still, I chose not to dwell on it.

Tomorrow night, we would attend the party. And I still believed that the man I loved would never betray me.

After our conversation ended, we didn't discuss the party again. Yet my uneasiness lingered as the night wore on. Adrian went to take a shower while I sat on the edge of the bed, checking my phone. A message from my father, Carlisle, appeared on the screen.

Carlisle: [Are you sure you still don't want to introduce your husband to our family? I could give him an important position in the company.]

I smiled faintly before typing my reply.

Evelyn: [Not yet, Dad. I want Adrian to love me for who I am. I'll tell him everything when the time is right. At least once I've managed to get pregnant. Please be patient a little longer.]

I knew my father was only worried about me. But I wanted to prove that our marriage could stand on its own, without the support of my family's powerful name. After sending the message, I placed my phone on the bedside table.

That was when Adrian's phone, lying beside mine, lit up.

A message had arrived from an unfamiliar number.

[I've missed you, darling. Can't we arrange to meet sooner?]

My smile vanished. I read the message again, hoping I'd misunderstood what it said.

Darling? Meet sooner?

Who was this woman sending such a message to my husband?

Before I could even reach for his phone, the bathroom door opened. Adrian emerged, his hair still wet and a towel draped over his shoulder.

He immediately noticed the change in my expression.

“What's wrong, Evelyn?”

I lifted my head, trying to steady my racing heart.

“Adrian, I need to ask you something.”

He approached me. “Go ahead.”

I pointed to the phone on the bedside table.

“Who just sent you that message?”

For a brief moment, his eyes flicked toward the screen. It lasted barely a second, but I caught it. Adrian quickly picked up his phone and offered me a small smile.

“Oh, that? It must be a wrong number. I don't even know who this is.”

“A wrong number?” I tried to keep my voice calm. “But she called you darling!”

“Evelyn, are you seriously suspecting me over a message from an unknown number?” He gently stroked my hair. “I just made you a promise, didn't I? Don't you trust me?”

I fell silent.

Hadn't he just promised me that he wouldn't touch another woman?

“Evelyn, ever since college, plenty of women have tried to get close to me. You know that. But in the end, I chose you.” He tilted my chin up, making me look into his eyes. “Isn't that enough to prove that you're the only woman I want?”

I wanted to tell him that choosing me back then didn't automatically prove he was faithful now. But the words caught in my throat.

Maybe I was simply being too sensitive after our earlier conversation. Maybe the message really had been sent to the wrong number. Or perhaps there was another explanation I didn't know about yet.

I didn't want to ruin our evening with suspicions I couldn't prove.

“I'm sorry,” I finally whispered. “I'm just feeling a little uneasy after our conversation earlier.”

Adrian pressed a kiss to my forehead.

“It's all right. Don't overthink it, sweetheart. Let's get some sleep. We have a pretty long journey ahead of us tomorrow.”

He lay down beside me and pulled me into his arms. I closed my eyes, trying to soothe the uneasiness that had been gnawing at me all evening. He was right. Tomorrow night, I would be going to that party with him.

I decided to trust my husband, just as I had throughout our entire year of marriage.

Little did I know that this would be the last night I could still believe every word that came out of Adrian's mouth.