Chapter 1 - THE WIFE WHO WALKED PAST HIM
Grace glanced once at Vanessa.
Not at her face.
At the diamond bracelet around her wrist.
Then she looked at Ethan.
“I'm here on business.”
Ethan stared at her.
“Business?”
“Yes.”
“On this island?”
“Apparently.”
His eyes moved toward Declan Pierce.
“And what business could possibly require you to travel with him?”
Declan's expression remained unreadable.
Grace adjusted the black leather folder beneath her arm.
“An acquisition.”
Ethan laughed.
It was a sharp, ugly sound.
“An acquisition?”
“Yes.”
“Grace, you're seven months pregnant.”
“I'm aware.”
“You shouldn't even be traveling without discussing it with me.”
Her expression changed slightly.
Not anger.
Something colder.
“That's interesting.”
“What is?”
“You didn't discuss your trip with me either.”
Vanessa shifted uncomfortably.
Ethan's face tightened.
“This is different.”
Grace looked at the woman standing behind him.
“Clearly.”
Vanessa stepped forward.
“Grace, I think there's been a misunderstanding.”
Grace turned toward her.
For the first time, her expression showed genuine surprise.
“A misunderstanding?”
Vanessa swallowed.
“Ethan and I—”
“Have been sleeping together for eleven months.”
The words fell into the marble lobby like shattered glass.
Ethan went still.
Vanessa's mouth opened.
Grace smiled faintly.
“Yes. I know.”
Ethan stared at her.
“How?”
“That isn't important.”
“It is to me.”
Grace looked at him.
“Then I suggest you spend some time wondering.”
Declan checked his watch.
“Grace, the investors are waiting.”
She nodded.
“Of course.”
Ethan stepped into her path.
“Wait.”
Grace stopped.
His voice dropped.
“What are you doing with Declan Pierce?”
She looked at him.
Then smiled.
“The same thing you told me I was incapable of doing.”
Ethan frowned.
“Which is?”
“Making a business decision without asking your permission.”
She stepped around him.
But Ethan caught her wrist.
Declan moved immediately.
“Let her go.”
The billionaire's voice was quiet.
Ethan turned.
“This is between me and my wife.”
Declan looked at Grace.
“Do you want him touching you?”
Grace shook her head.
“No.”
Declan returned his gaze to Ethan.
“Then release her.”
Something in his expression made Ethan obey.
Grace rubbed her wrist once.
Then walked toward the elevator.
Declan followed.
Ethan stood motionless.
Vanessa touched his arm.
“Baby, let's just go upstairs.”
He pulled away.
“Don't.”
She blinked.
“Ethan?”
He stared at the closing elevator doors.
For seven years, Grace had been the quiet wife.
The woman who organized charity dinners.
Remembered birthdays.
Hosted business associates.
Smiled when Ethan interrupted her.
And never complained when he told her that business was too complicated for her to understand.
Now she was walking into a private meeting with Declan Pierce.
A man whose companies were worth more than Ethan's entire industry.
And she hadn't even bothered to ask why her husband was kissing another woman.
Ethan felt something unfamiliar tighten around his chest.
Fear.
Not because Grace had caught him.
Because she had arrived already knowing.
And because the black folder in her hand had carried a silver embossed name.
May you like
CALLOWAY MARITIME HOLDINGS.
His company.
