Chapter 1

The night before the company went public, Yannick Jordan, usually so cool and composed, finally let himself unwind. Slightly tipsy, he nestled into my arms, gently running his fingers through my hair as he murmured in a low, tender voice, "I know you've put up with a lot over the past two years. Tomorrow, there'll be a segment for family members to give speeches. Put on your prettiest dress and join me onstage to give a speech."

His words left me so excited that I barely slept a wink. I spent the entire night choosing the perfect evening gown and rehearsing my speech over and over again.

But the next day, when it was time for the family speeches at the press conference, my older sister, Yvonne Quinn, stopped me.

"Speaking onstage isn't a beauty pageant. You haven't contributed anything over the past two years. If you go up there, people will say you don't deserve to be there."

"Be good. I'll give the speech for you."

I instinctively turned to Yannick beside me, hoping he'd stand up for me for once. I waited for him to say that, of course, his wife deserved to stand by his side.

But he simply ruffled my hair.

"I didn't think this through. Yvonne really is better suited for this."

After the press conference, Yvonne slipped her arm from Yannick's and smiled as she pinched my cheek.

"Sorry you had to miss out, Nico. Your birthday's coming up soon. How about I buy you a few extra dresses to make it up to you?" she asked casually.

I joked, but I meant it. "I don't want dresses or jewelry, Yvonne. Even long-distance couples get to see each other once in a while, don't they?"

"Can't you let me have one night with my own husband, too?"

Yvonne's expression stiffened, a flicker of disappointment crossing her eyes. She replied coolly, "Suit yourself. Just don't regret it."

That night, I slipped into the sexy new nightgown I'd just bought, planning to spend an intimate night with Yannick.

Just as things were heating up and we were on the verge of taking things further, Yannick's assistant called to tell him that Yvonne had gotten drunk at the company's celebration party and leaked confidential company information.

All the tenderness vanished from Yannick's face in an instant, and he hurriedly got up.

He said, "We can always make love another time. The company has only just gone public, and its footing is still shaky. I have to go take care of this. Don't worry. I'll come straight back as soon as I've handled it."

As he hurriedly dressed, he muttered in frustration, "I told her ages ago not to drink when I'm not around."

Watching him rush around in such a panic, I spoke up softly. "I know Yvonne was a little careless, but you don't have to—"

Before I could finish, Yannick's expression suddenly turned icy.

"What would you know about it?"

I froze.

In our two years of marriage, I'd never seen him like this before. His eyes burned with anger and disgust.

He quickly realized he'd gone too far and reined in his emotions. His voice softened, but his words still left no room for argument.

"I'm sorry. I was too worked up. What I mean is, you're not Yvonne. You have no idea how much she's done."

"I'll make up for all the time I've neglected you, but don't take it out on her."

I murmured a subdued "Okay" and let the matter drop.

Yannick leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead, making a promise. "Be good. Once I've taken care of this, I'll put everything else aside and spend all my time with you."

I wanted to believe him one last time.

But I waited and waited. Dawn broke, and he still hadn't come back. Instead, entertainment headlines flooded every corner of the internet.