Cold Husband Out, Secret Mogul In
After two years of being neglected in her marriage, Alison Reese finds a spermicidal suppository under the bed in the master bedroom.
In that moment, she finally understands that she isn't Erik Hale's wife. She's the third wheel between him and Monique Shore.
When her uncle falls gravely ill, all she asks for is a single pill. Erik agrees to help, then tosses the matter to his assistant.
The assistant hands Alison a fake.
When life and death hang in the balance, an unexpected visitor appears in the hospital room. He's strikingly handsome and gives off an air of effortless privilege. He claims to be Theodore Statham, a friend of Alison's cousin, Noah Reese.
But she knows every one of Noah's friends. Every single one—except him.
Theodore goes with her on a search for the medicine, so she no longer has to grovel and beg for it.
On a hurricane night, when her house is flooding, he carries her out of the water. The first thing he says is, "Don't be scared. I'm here."
Every time Theodore talks about the future, he makes sure there's a place for Alison carved out there.
She doesn't understand why a man like him, untouchable and divine, is willing to stay by her side like a shadow.
One day, Alison asks Theodore, "What is it you want from me?"
He raises an eyebrow. "I want you to walk my dog with me every day. No skipping."
On the day her divorce is finalized, she walks out of the courthouse to see him standing at the entrance with the dog on a leash, waiting for her.
In that instant, a memory surfaces.
Every time she looks for Noah in the high school building, she sees an aloof-looking guy in a mask standing in the distance.
She thinks he hates her. But now, she knows he just doesn't dare to look at her. He's afraid one look will give him away.