Chapter 1

Just before Easter, my husband, Ethan Cole, surprised me by arranging a weeklong trip to Switzerland.

In ten years of marriage, it was the first time he had ever planned a vacation for me.

I thought he had finally remembered that I was human, too, and needed a break.

Then, one day, I accidentally overheard a conversation between him and our daughter, Ella.

"Daddy, if you and Sophia have a wedding, what will happen to Mommy?"

Ethan chuckled softly.

"It's just a ceremony. Nothing about our lives will change. Ella, keep this a secret for Daddy, and when I get back, I'll buy you that Barbie Dreamhouse you've always wanted."

I stood outside the door, feeling as though every drop of blood in my body had turned to ice.

So that was what this trip was really about.

It wasn't his way of making up for neglecting me. He was simply clearing his schedule so he could marry another woman.

——

Claire's POV

I didn't storm in and demand an explanation.

Instead, I quietly went downstairs and stood in the backyard for a long time, letting the cold wind wash over me.

When I finally returned upstairs, I ran into Ethan.

He was wearing a charcoal-gray suit, paired with a striking burgundy tie. I remembered how much he used to hate that color.

"Since when do you like red?" I asked casually.

His fingers paused as he adjusted his tie, but his expression barely changed.

"I have an event coming up. The dress code calls for a little red, so I'm going to try on some new custom suits today and see what works."

"Then let me drive you."

Ethan immediately waved me off.

"No need. Sophia happens to know the designer at the shop. She offered to help me pick something out. Getting the measurements and discussing all the details will take forever. You're already exhausted from work. There's no point in making you sit around waiting."

Sophia Lane.

Her name pierced my heart like a tiny needle.

She was the woman Ethan had loved more than anyone when he was younger. Years ago, she had left him to pursue her career. Now she was back in New York, and the heart he had kept dormant for so many years seemed to have come alive again.

Ever since her return, red ties had started appearing in Ethan's wardrobe. His phone had begun lighting up with late-night messages. Even his once-predictable weekend schedule had become increasingly erratic.

I used to tell myself he was simply busy with work.

Now I finally understood. The signs had been there all along.

I said nothing. I just nodded.

Apparently relieved that I wasn't going to make a fuss, Ethan pulled me into a brief hug.

"I'll bring you and Ella something nice when I get back."

Then he grabbed his car keys and hurried out.

I stood there, unable to find the strength to follow him.

In everyone else's eyes, Ethan and I were the perfect couple.

Ten years ago, when he took over the family business, Cole Group was drowning in debt and teetering on the brink of bankruptcy. I had stood beside him through it all, chasing down investors, negotiating partnerships, and stabilizing the supply chain until we had dragged the company back from the edge of collapse.

Ethan had never denied my abilities. In front of countless people, he had called me his most trusted partner.

Eventually, we got married and had Ella.

I thought we would keep building our life together forever.

Until Sophia came back.

"Mommy."

Ella ran over and wrapped her arms around my legs, tilting her little face up to mine.

"You and Daddy aren't going to split up, are you?"

Her eyes were cautious, as though she had already sensed something was wrong.

I crouched down and gently stroked her hair.

"If Mommy and Daddy ever stopped living together, who would you want to live with?"

Ella's eyes immediately filled with tears.

I regretted asking the moment the words left my mouth. I pulled her into my arms.

"I'm sorry, sweetheart. I shouldn't have asked you that."

She was still so young. She shouldn't have to bear the consequences of the mistakes adults made.

That evening, I prepared her favorite roasted chicken and mashed potatoes, followed by a homemade apple pie.

But the moment Ella sat down at the table, she suddenly burst into tears.

"Mommy, you already know that Daddy is going to marry Sophia, don't you?"

My hand tightened around my fork.

"Daddy said it's only pretend," she rushed to explain. "He said he still loves you. Mommy, please don't be mad at Daddy, okay?"

I looked at my daughter, desperately trying to defend her father, and felt my heart break.