Chapter 2

Logan didn't come home until 3 AM.

I was still awake, sitting on the edge of our bed, pregnancy test hidden in my nightstand drawer.

He stumbled in smelling like wine and Sienna's perfume. Without a word, he pulled me into a rough embrace.

"Sorry about tonight," he murmured against my hair. "I'll make it up to you. I swear."

He always said that.

The next morning, I found a jewelry box on the kitchen counter with a note in Logan's handwriting: For my wife. Happy anniversary—one day late.

Inside was a pearl bracelet. Simple. Elegant. My style.

For a moment, my chest ached with something close to hope. Maybe he did still see me. Maybe I was overreacting.

Then Sienna walked into the kitchen, wearing a silk robe that probably cost more than my entire outfit last night. She poured herself coffee like she owned the place.

Her wrist caught my eye.

She was wearing a diamond tennis bracelet—brand new, still sparkling. The kind Logan's black card would buy.

"Oh, this?" She noticed me staring and smiled sweetly. "Logan insisted. He said I deserved something beautiful after such a rough week."

A pearl bracelet for his wife.

A diamond bracelet for his ex.

I set down my coffee cup very carefully so she wouldn't see my hands shaking.

"It's lovely," I said.

Sienna tilted her head. "You're not upset, are you? I told him it was too much, but he wouldn't listen. You know how he is when he's being protective."

I did know. I just hadn't realized that protectiveness was no longer directed at me.

That afternoon, Logan's assistant called to remind me about the Sterling Corporation annual gala in three days. As the CEO's wife, I was expected to attend and host the charity auction.

I had been preparing for weeks—coordinating with the event team, selecting auction items, rehearsing my speech.

When Logan came home that evening, I brought it up.

"The gala's on Saturday. I finalized the seating chart today. Your mother will be at Table One with us."

Logan loosened his tie and sat down. "About that—Sienna needs a plus-one. I told her she could come."

I paused. "The gala is for Sterling Corporation partners and family. Sienna is neither."

"She's my guest." His tone left no room for debate.

"Fine. I'll add a seat at one of the back tables—"

"She'll sit at Table One. With us."

I stared at him.

Table One was reserved for the CEO, his wife, and his parents. Four seats. No exceptions. His mother had made that rule herself.

"Logan, your mother will never agree—"

"I already told her. She said it was fine."

The ground shifted under me. His mother—the woman who once told me I was the only daughter-in-law she'd ever accept—had agreed to seat Sienna at the family table?

Logan must have seen something in my expression because he sighed and walked over. He cupped my face in his hands.

"Elara, don't overthink this. You're my wife. Nothing changes that. I just need you to be a little more understanding right now. Sienna is fragile. She won't be here forever."

His thumb brushed my cheek. His eyes were soft.

I wanted to believe him so badly that I nodded.

"Okay."

He kissed my forehead. "That's my girl."

That night, while Logan slept, I opened my nightstand drawer and looked at the pregnancy test.

Two pink lines stared back at me.

I closed the drawer and turned off the light.

He didn't deserve to know. Not yet. Maybe not ever.