Chapter 1: The Secret Beneath the Bed

Emily pressed herself deeper beneath the hotel bed, her wedding gown tangled around her legs.

Her heart pounded so hard she thought they would hear it.

Just ten minutes earlier, she had hidden there as part of a playful surprise for her husband, Ethan. Their wedding reception downstairs was ending, and she wanted to make him laugh before they left for their honeymoon.

Instead, she heard the hotel room door open.

Three people entered.

Ethan.

His mother, Victoria.

And a woman Emily had never seen before.

The woman was visibly pregnant.

Emily's blood turned to ice.

Victoria poured champagne into three glasses.

"Everything is finally working out," she said with a satisfied smile.

The pregnant woman rubbed her stomach.

"When the divorce is finished, Ethan can marry me before the baby arrives."

Emily nearly gasped.

Divorce?

Baby?

Marry?

Ethan laughed softly.

"There won't be a divorce."

The room fell silent.

The pregnant woman looked confused.

"What do you mean?"

Ethan pulled a folder from his briefcase.

"Emily signed the prenuptial agreement exactly as planned."

Victoria smiled.

"Her family's company, her inheritance, the vacation property—all of it becomes part of the marital assets."

The pregnant woman suddenly understood.

Her eyes widened.

"So you never loved her?"

Ethan shrugged.

"Love doesn't build empires."

Under the bed, Emily felt tears stream down her face.

Every promise.

Every kiss.

Every vow spoken hours earlier.

A lie.

Then Victoria said something even worse.

"And if she discovers the truth?"

Ethan's answer chilled Emily to the bone.

"She won't."