Chapter 1
“Today’s your wedding anniversary?”
“What a coincidence. Your husband’s in my bed.“}
Patricia Martin sat in the restaurant, staring at her phone, her face drained of color. Three minutes ago, a girl claiming to be Oliver’s secretary had added her online. Patricia accepted, thinking nothing of it–until the message came in. The words were sharp, the photo even sharper. It showed Oliver naked in bed with someone else.
“Ma’am?” Pete’s voice was gentle. Midnight was coming up fast, and Mr. Newton still hadn’t shown. Pete watched her with quiet worry.”
“It’s fine. Throw the dishes away.” Patricia switched off her phone and pushed the joystick on her wheelchair, turning away from the table. Today marked two years since she and Oliver Newton got married. Oliver’s grandmother had gone out of her way to arrange a candlelit dinner, hoping the occasion would bring them together. But Patricia knew better–Oliver wouldn’t come home. He hadn’t even shown up for the wedding two years ago. Why would he remember the anniversary now?}
If she hadn’t gotten involved back then, she’d still have her legs. And Oliver wouldn’t have had to marry her out of obligation. She wouldn’t have spent the last two years feeling invisible, enduring this cold, one–sided marriage.”
At the elevator, Patricia paused, a thought surfacing. “Pete, make sure the envelope I gave you gets to his office first thing tomorrow morning.””
Yes, ma’am.” Pete’s eyes shone with tears as he nodded. He’d watched Patricia grow up, always believing she’d have a bright, beautiful future. He never imagined she’d end up living her life in a wheelchair.
“Pete, this is freedom for me. Don’t cry, okay?“}
Pete quickly wiped his face and managed a shaky smile. “Alright, I won’t.”
The next morning, Pete carried the envelope to Newton Enterprises. The front desk staff greeted him by name, as he’d delivered things for Patricia so many times over the years.
On the top floor, Pete waited outside the CEO’s office. Around nine, the private elevator doors slid open and Oliver stepped out, his secretary right behind him,
“Mr. Newton.“}
Oliver barely glanced at Pete, the faintest frown crossing his face. “What brings you here?“>
“Ms. Martin asked me to give you this.” Pete offered the envelope.}]
Oliver didn’t take it. His gaze dropped to the package, his voice cool. “What is it?“!
“You’ll know when you open it.”
The secretary, quick on the uptake, reached for the envelope. “I’ll take it, Pete. I’ll put it on Mr. Newton’s desk.”
“Thank you,” Pete replied, stepping back.
Oliver turned to go inside, but Pete called after him, “Sir, yesterday was your wedding anniversary.”
Oliver’s fingers tensed at his side. “Have the secretary send her gift back home.“}
“No, actually…”
The office door closed with a heavy thud, cutting Pete off.”
“Mr. Newton, the documents.” The secretary placed the envelope on Oliver’s desk.
Oliver gave a noncommittal grunt, not even looking up. When he finished signing the stack of paperwork, the secretary came in and whisked everything away–Patricia’s envelope buried somewhere in the middle.
“Aiden, did Mr. Newton sign off on the files?” Pete asked as he caught sight of the secretary leaving with the folders.
Aiden paused. “Hold on, Pete.”
Aiden had been with Oliver for five years, from his first days as general manager all the way to CEO. Around the company, everyone knew:
if Oliver wasn’t around, Aiden was the go–to guy. Anything that needed doing, he handled it, no questions asked.M
Chapter 2
