Chapter 1

ETHAN'S POV 

The door swung open, and my focus on the mountain of paperwork at hand came to a sudden and jarring halt. 

My heartbeat quickened; it was mom. Victoria Caldwell stood in the doorway as commanding as she always was. I tried to refocus my eyes on the document, which required me to make an effort to look engaged because in truth, I was feeling uneasy.

She made her way towards my desk, aggressive enough to yank the chair opposite from me over and sit with a huff. “I just got the news. Mrs Harper is in town.” 

“So?” I muttered without looking up, still enthralled in that file where for some reason losing grip meant letting go of more than just a document. “Not interested in today’s theatrics.”

“There's news she intends to sell Edward's shares." My head snapped up with sense all but collapsing while my stomach twisted mercilessly. "Believe me, I was as shocked as you are."

“Honestly, quite shocking. Edward has been with us since we started the company. He didn’t show his face here, but he didn't signal discontent either. The issue goes beyond her selling; it’s her target customer.”  

“Who?” Dread flooded my gut as I heard myself sound sharper than intended.  

“Pierce Enterprises.” Instantly my jaw tightened reflexively.     

“What? They have been our rivals forever.” My pulse raced at the prospect of Julian Pierce acquiring our company while these words burned through my grit and blended into frosty resentment.

“That’s exactly why…” she continued in an eager whisper that drew concern for an impending outburst “If they get those shares, Ethan, we’re not talking about a measly five percent. It’s thirty percent. Edward was practically the second owner of this company; we only edge him out because we hold ten percent more. If his widow hands those shares to Pierce, do you realize what that’ll do to us? How they’ll use it to gut us?” My frantic thoughts demanded soothing as I rubbed my temple settling back against the chair.

  

A moment later resolving chaos within me managed regaining calm composure and a touch of bold defiance put a hint smile on my lips

"I don't think she wants to sell it, Mom." Her frowning brow asked a question followed by "What do you mean?". 

“If Mrs Harper really wanted to sell it, would she let the news leak? Or would Pierce risk spreading it when they know we’d fight tooth and nail to stop it?” My thoughts were amidst a storm as I began lifting a pen tapping it on my desk. 

“Well, it's not just rumors,” her voice brimming with frustration finally chimed in.

“It’s not,” I replied, hundred percent ready for us to align as my smirk dimmed with another thought hitting me strong and uncomfortable. 

“I think she’s trying to get our attention.” 

“Why would she do that?” With narrowed eyes my mother wore intense suspicion like makeup proudly plastered across every wrinkle carved deep into her face hinting at lines developed over years.

"Doesn’t she want to stay mysterious like Edward? Think about it. He hasn’t been seen in public for fifteen years. Got married.. didn't invite us or half his partners..just sent that pathetic apology basket claiming his wife wanted a ‘simple wedding.’ Died three weeks ago and no one went to his funeral because we got the wrong dates. Ethan, I'm telling you, that man's not dead. He's hiding in the shadows letting his wife play frontwoman for his schemes."

A small chuckle escaped but it felt quite insincere.  

“Mom, there are no conspiracy theories out there.”  

“It is not a conspiracy,” she shot back, defensively, as if I were inviting further discussion.  

 “Look at the facts! No one has seen him in years. He gets married and his wife only appears to a handful of people at a secret island wedding. And now he’s supposedly dead? Only for his widow to claim that she wants to sell their shares to our biggest rival?”  

“Mom,” I said, softening my voice in hopes of easing both her mind and the tension pulled taut around my shoulders

 “But you said no one’s seen her right? No one knows what she looks like, so I think she is doing this in order for us to notice her.”  

“I don’t get it,” Mom responded with increasingly knit brows. 

“Let’s just book a meeting with her!” I suggested trying to control the nervous edge that gripped me.  

“She’s in New York so it's doable. We’ll try talking to her and see what we can coerce out of her regarding that idea she's been floating out loose for a while now who even knows why.” 

“There’s no harm in trying,” she said, but her tone was grim, her eyes glinting with determination.

 “But we don’t just try, Ethan. We must change her mind. Pierce can never get thirty percent of our shares. Understood?”

“Yes, Mom,” I said, my voice quieter now, the weight of her words settling over me like a storm cloud.

“And if the business approach fails,” she continued, her gaze locking onto mine, “you’ll need to do something.”My stomach twisted. I knew that look.

 “Something like?” I asked, already dreading her answer.She leaned closer, her voice dropping to silky persuasion.

 “She’s a widow, Ethan. Edward was old when he died. I’m sure she’d be… intrigued by a young, handsome man with dark hair and those striking gray eyes of yours. Someone to brighten her days.”I froze, my heart thudding with a mix of disbelief and anger. 

“You’re not seriously suggesting that, are you?”

“Come on, Ethan,” she said, waving a hand dismissively. “Your looks are an asset. I’m not saying marry her. Just… keep her happy until she reconsiders. Or better yet, get her to sign those shares over to you. Imagine the power, seventy percent of the company. Those old board members wouldn’t dare challenge you again. You can give it your best shot,” she replied, sounding unfazed but intensely driven.

"I’m not going to do it," I stated plainly, my jaw clenched, my heart seething with outrage.

 “I’m not playing with someone’s feelings.”

"You’re not playing with anyone’s emotions," she shot back, her tone now biting.

"She didn’t marry Edward out of love, Ethan. She tied the knot for his riches. You’d merely be the youthful thrill she desires, and in return, you secure her assets. Do you think Julian Pierce won’t attempt the same? Or Charles’s offspring? There’s talk that she’s young, Ethan, and with all of Edward’s fortune, she’s a walking goldmine."

"We have sufficient wealth," I interjected, my voice escalating despite my efforts, irritation spilling over. "I refuse to stoop to their level."

"You’re doing this for the enterprise," she insisted, her eyes fierce. 

"Once it’s done, you walk away. I suggest this because I know you don’t want her selling to Pierce."

I exhaled, pinching the bridge of my nose, my head pounding.

"First, let’s meet Amelia. If that fails, we’ll get someone to play your game."

"No one else is doing it," she retorted.

"You’re the perfect candidate. it’s not as if you’d be cheating on anyone." I remained silent, but my silence conveyed everything. My chest tightened as old wounds flared, and Mother’s expression darkened with fury.

"Don’t tell me you’re still hung up on that girl," she remarked, her tone laced with contempt.

"Do I need to remind you of how she abandoned you when she believed you were nothing? How she shattered you?"

"Please, Mom," I replied, my voice a whisper, raw with anguish I wished to forget. "Don’t."

"When will you move on from her, Ethan?" she pressed, unyielding.

"She never cared for you!" I inhaled deeply, my heart aching as I pushed the memories deep within.

"You’re changing the topic," I said, licking my lips, my mouth parched.

"We have an issue, and we’re addressing it. I’ll have Fiona reach out to Mrs. Harper. Hopefully, she’ll respond. Now, please, go back to your office. I need to get back to work."

Mother looked at me, her lips drawn into a thin line, disappointment emanating from her. "Fine," she finally conceded, rising.

"We’ll try it your way. But if it doesn’t work, we’ll revert to my method.”

"Until then," I said, my voice unwavering despite the turmoil within me. She hesitated, as if she wanted to say more, then turned and departed.

I reclined in my chair, shutting my eyes. And there she was, her rich brown locks, her warm amber gaze reflecting love and joy that used to feel so tangible. My chest throbbed, a hollow ache of yearning and remorse.

I shook my head, striving to push her from my mind, but she lingered, as always, a phantom I couldn’t escape.