“Made something special for you and our little one—hope it reminds you of the way I’ve always spoiled you. Save a bite for me, alright? I’ll be home before you miss me. —Your Husband”
“Husband? You’re married?” Sylvia blurted out, eyes wide as she turned to Clara, clearly caught off guard.
Abigail looked up, startled by the outburst.
“Well, that explains a few things. Who’s your husband? An executive? It’s not easy to land a table at Sear and Swoon, much less afford it. No offense, but... you don’t exactly scream high-end lifestyle,” Sylvia said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
Clara rolled her eyes. “He didn’t buy it, Sylvia. It says right here—he made the food for her.”
Sylvia narrowed her gaze. The thought clearly didn’t sit well with her.
“Maybe her husband’s the chef at Sear and Swoon,” another coworker te
“Roen!” Abigail’s voice caught in the air just as he stepped out into the lobby of the Ulrick Building. She spotted him right on time, rushing toward him before he could disappear.Roen stopped in his tracks, eyebrows lifting in surprise. “Abigail? Whoa, slow down—don’t run,” he said, worry flashing in his eyes as she hurried to him.“I wasn’t going far,” he added, stepping closer instinctively. “You didn’t have to sprint like that.”Abigail finally reached him, breathing lightly, cheeks flushed from the brief dash. There was a smile on her face—half from relief, half from sheer happiness at seeing someone familiar.Roen studied her for a beat. Her smile was sweet, but he knew better. The doctor had made it clear: Abigail’s pregnancy needed special care. And while it wasn’t in his job description to play bodyguard, being Edward’s assistant came with unexp
“Figures,” Chloe muttered, lips tugging into a wry smile as she turned away and walked toward Edward’s desk. Halfway there, she stopped and glanced back at him.“You didn’t marry her because you loved her—I know that. Because deep down, I’m still the only woman you ever really loved.”Edward raised an eyebrow, arms crossed. “You’re full of yourself.”“Just being honest.” Chloe shrugged. “I was your first. The first woman Edward Ulrick cared about. You're the kind of guy who buries himself in work and skips the drama. I know it wasn’t easy for you when I left.”He didn’t say anything, but the silence hung heavy. She stepped closer, voice softer.“I’m sorry for vanishing. I know it was messed up. I should’ve told you... I hurt you.”“Yeah. And I got over it,” he said, brushing her off. “You should too.”Chloe flinched at that. His words stung more than she’d expected.“You're really gonna stand there and pretend
“Made something special for you and our little one—hope it reminds you of the way I’ve always spoiled you. Save a bite for me, alright? I’ll be home before you miss me. —Your Husband”“Husband? You’re married?” Sylvia blurted out, eyes wide as she turned to Clara, clearly caught off guard.Abigail looked up, startled by the outburst.“Well, that explains a few things. Who’s your husband? An executive? It’s not easy to land a table at Sear and Swoon, much less afford it. No offense, but... you don’t exactly scream high-end lifestyle,” Sylvia said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.Clara rolled her eyes. “He didn’t buy it, Sylvia. It says right here—he made the food for her.”Sylvia narrowed her gaze. The thought clearly didn’t sit well with her.“Maybe her husband’s the chef at Sear and Swoon,” another coworker te
Abigail swallowed hard, secretly, as Chloe stared at her—eyes twinkling with mischief, the kind that made you feel like you’d just walked into the punchline of a joke you didn’t want to hear.Just yesterday, Edward had claimed they were married. Her. A secretary. The wife of the president of the country’s largest corporation? How was she supposed to believe that, let alone expect anyone else to?“There are plenty of more qualified candidates in this company,” the HR Manager said, walking up to them with a clipboard half-raised, already halfway into an objection.“No,” Chloe cut in sharply. Her voice had that polished, commanding edge that made everyone pause. “I want her.”“But she’s—”“I know. You said she’s Edward’s secretary,” Chloe replied, now turning fully to face the manager. “But I’m not just anybody to Edward.”“You’re his wife, so basically—”“Exactly.” Chloe cut her off again, the word crisp as glass. She turned toward Abigail, her gaze full of implications. “I’m confident
"Seriously? The President’s wife is coming today?" one of Abigail's coworkers gasped, prompting her and Clara to glance toward the trio of women deep in conversation."You know, it's been a long-standing rumor around the building that the President’s wife works here, but we’ve never even seen a shadow of her. Honestly, I think they made her up just to stop the matchmaking attempts from their business partners. That man’s practically the country’s most eligible billionaire—and now he’s apparently taken," said the second woman, her voice tinged with disappointment.Abigail exchanged a silent look with Clara, both listening intently. No one at the main office had any clue that Abigail was Edward’s wife. By day, she was still working under the radar—as his personal secretary.Their conversation came to an abrupt halt as the office door swung open. In stepped a tall, elegant young woman alongside a sharply dressed man—none other than the HR Manager.All eyes shifted to the stunning woman.
Abigail stood still, her breath shallow, her heart thudding so loudly she could barely hear anything else. Edward’s words echoed in her mind—“my wife”—but instead of comfort, they brought a strange mix of warmth and fear. He had defended her. Chosen her. But now all eyes were on her, and she felt like she was standing under a spotlight she never asked for.Chloe, on the other hand, looked like someone who had just been slapped by a truth she didn’t see coming.Her arms slowly dropped to her sides. “You’re serious,” she said, almost to herself. Her voice had lost its edge. “You really married her.”Edward didn’t answer. He didn’t need to.Chloe’s gaze drifted back to Abigail, and this time, there was no mockery in her eyes—just disbelief. And something else. Something that looked a lot like loss.“When?” she asked quietly. “When did t