Chapter 3

I spent a full week abroad and enjoyed every minute.

When I returned to the office, Lucas was in a foul mood. I heard him through the door, his voice raised. "What is going on? How does a solid partnership collapse overnight? And now the supplier situation too…"

He slammed his fist on the desk.

His secretary flinched and stepped back.

"Ungrateful vultures. They turn on you without a second thought," he grumbled.

I stood just outside the doorway, out of sight, and allowed myself a small smile.

Rebecca leaned against him, her arm looped through his. "Baby, don't stress. Once we're married, everything my family has will be yours."

That settled him. The tension in his shoulders eased.

"That's my girl. Smart and beautiful. Exactly the kind of woman I want," he said.

Rebecca tilted her head with a coy smile. "What about Gina?"

Lucas paused, then answered without hesitation, "She's different. She has an ordinary family and an ordinary background. She was never a serious option. Marriage is about matching your level. You're the only one who belongs beside me."

I listened a moment longer, then turned and walked back to my desk.

Once, I had hidden my family background from Lucas because I worried he would feel inferior. It turned out that the five years we had spent together meant nothing to him. What mattered to him was money and resources.

A few minutes later, Lucas stepped out of his office. A hickey marked his neck.

He came to my desk and lowered his voice. "Babe, the company is in rough shape. There's a big multi-party deal tonight, and I need you there with me. We'll handle it together. We have to land it."

I agreed without hesitation.

…

That evening, I learned he had brought Rebecca as well.

He leaned close to my ear, his voice low and apologetic. "Sorry, babe. She's my fiancée on paper, so we have to keep up appearances."

I gave him the same easy smile I had worn for days and told him it was fine.

Gratitude flickered across his face. "You've been so good lately. I keep falling for you all over again. When we get back, I'll buy you that bag you wanted."

I felt sick.

He said nothing more and returned to Rebecca's side.

Dinner proceeded smoothly until Rebecca suddenly pressed a hand to her stomach and winced.

Lucas was at her side at once. "What's wrong? Are you okay?"

"I think I drank too much…"

The mood at the table shifted. The other businessmen fell quiet, their energy fading.

Lucas considered the situation for a moment, then spoke. "My apologies, gentlemen. My fiancée isn't feeling well. I need to take her to rest."

He then pointed at me. "Gina here is the strongest drinker in our company. Tonight, she'll keep you company. Consider it my apology."

My grip tightened around my wine glass.

I kept my voice low. "Lucas, have you forgotten that I have a stomach condition?"

I had endured more nights like this than I could count. Once, while trying to secure a key partner away from a rival company, I drank until my stomach bled. The damage never fully healed.

In the hospital afterward, Lucas held my hand and promised, with complete conviction, that he would never let me go through that again.

Now, only a flicker of discomfort crossed his face. "It'll be fine. Just this once. Nothing will happen. The company is in crisis. This deal matters. You have to make it work."

He took Rebecca by the arm and walked out.

The room fell silent.

The businessmen around the table turned to me. Their eyes held neither mockery nor hunger. They simply waited.

I set my glass down and spoke quietly. "I think you've all seen enough tonight. I'll be stepping away from the company. There's no need for any of you to continue supporting it."

What Lucas didn't know was that I had arranged tonight's dinner and this so-called critical deal.