Morning After

I scrambled to grab the drawings. My hands shook so badly I dropped half of them.The elevator beeped. Doors opening.I looked up. Ready for everything to end.But it wasn't Damien coming back.A woman stepped out. Mid-thirties, sharp suit, dark hair pulled back in a perfect bun. She carried a tablet in one hand and two coffee cups in the other.She saw me on the couch. Froze.Her eyes went to the drawings scattered around me. Then to my face. Then back to the drawings."Mr. Laurent." Her voice was smooth. Professional. But I heard the edge underneath. "I... wasn't expecting you awake."I shoved the sketchbook behind a cushion. Tried to gather the loose papers. Make them disappear."I couldn't sleep," I said. My voice came out too high. I cleared my throat. Tried to sound like Marcus. "What are you doing here?""Mr. Cross asked me to check on you. Bring coffee. Make sure you had everything you needed."She set both cups on the coffee table. Sat in the chair across from me. Crossed her

Last Updated : 2026-02-28

The Artist

The elevator opened at 2 AM.I was exhausted. Three days in Berlin dealing with injured workers, angry families, and lawyers who wanted to sue me for everything I had.The penthouse was dark. Quiet.I dropped my bag by the door. Loosened my tie."Marcus?" I called out.No answer.The master suite was empty. Bed made. Untouched.He'd stayed in the guest room then. Not surprising after everything.I walked down the hall. The guest room door was open. Just a crack.I should go to bed. Leave him alone. Deal with this tomorrow when I wasn't dead on my feet.But I stopped. Looked through the gap.He was asleep.Curled on his side. One hand tucked under his cheek like a child. His face was soft in the dim light from the hallway. Peaceful.Nothing like the Marcus I'd met at the gala. That Marcus had slept on his back. Sprawled. Taking up the whole bed even in hotel rooms. I'd seen photos from his social media. Always the center of attention even when unconscious.This man made himself small.

Last Updated : 2026-03-02

Breakfast

The smell of coffee woke me.I opened my eyes. Sunlight streamed through the guest room windows. For a second, I forgot where I was.Then reality crashed back. Damien's penthouse. The marriage. The lie.I sat up. My neck hurt from sleeping at a weird angle. The easel Victoria had delivered yesterday stood in the corner. Mocking me. Reminding me of everything I'd given up.The smell of coffee got stronger. And something else. Eggs? Butter?Someone was cooking.I got out of bed. Pulled on a pair of borrowed sweatpants and a t-shirt. Both Damien's. Both too big.Walked to the kitchen.And stopped.Damien stood at the stove. Barefoot. Dress shirt half-unbuttoned. Sleeves rolled up to his elbows. His hair was still wet from a shower. Drops of water caught the morning light.He was making omelets.A billionaire CEO. Cooking breakfast. In his own kitchen.It felt surreal. Like I'd walked into someone else's life.He looked up. Saw me standing there."Hope you're hungry..." He paused. Just fo

Last Updated : 2026-03-05

The Test

Felix's face drained of color. All the blood just gone. Leaving him pale and shaking.His lips moved but no sound came out.I waited. Watched him try to find words that would make this okay.There weren't any.My phone rang.I almost ignored it. This conversation was more important than anything else.But the ringtone was Victoria's emergency code. Three short rings. Pause. Three more.Board meeting crisis.I grabbed the phone. "What?""Sir, we have a situation. Sebastian Moreau just launched a hostile takeover attempt. He's buying up shares. The board is in emergency session. They need you here now."Sebastian. Of course it was Sebastian.I looked at Felix. He was still frozen. Still white as paper.This conversation needed to happen. But I couldn't let Sebastian take my company."I'll be there in twenty minutes."I hung up. Stood.Felix looked up at me. Those gray-green eyes full of terror."We'll continue this tonight," I said. "Don't go anywhere.""I wouldn't... I can't..." His vo

Last Updated : 2026-03-09

All Chapters of The Substitute Husband's Secret: Chapter 11 - Chapter 14

Morning After

The Artist

Breakfast

The Test