A Love That Will Never Be

Misty came home at midnight that day. The house was brightly lit, but Carter was nowhere to be seen.

She finally recalled the text he had sent. She mumbled, "Is he mad at me?"

He would stay up and wait for her, no matter what time she came home. She kicked off her shoes and softly pushed the bedroom door open. Relief washed over her when she found him reading in bed.

Then, she ran over and gave him a hug before apologizing, just like she had done many times before.

"I'm sorry, darling. Zeke asked me to pick him up from the airport because he's back in the country. We had dinner with some friends to welcome him home. That's why I missed the cocktail party." She rubbed her face on his chest. "I hope I didn't bring you trouble."

Carter had picked up on the scent of alcohol on Misty. He quietly pushed her away. "No."

Misty's absence didn't really give him much trouble, except that he had to let another couple perform the opening dance on his behalf because his plus-one was missing. People had gossiped behind him because of the sudden switch.

"About that text…" Misty was about to discuss it when she was cut off by her ringing phone. She immediately picked up when she saw the caller ID. "Hello? Zeke?"

Zeke said something to her, and her face fell. "Wait for me. I'll be there right away."

She scrambled to leave, but Carter grabbed her wrist with a frown. "Where are you going?"

Misty was in a great hurry. "Zeke found some hidden cameras in his hotel room. I'm going to check out the situation."

Although Carter was disappointed in his wife, he would never allow her to go out alone in the dead of the night for her safety. His tone took an icy turn. "Zeke should have contacted the police instead of you."

"But he's Zach's younger brother. You've met him before! How can I just leave him be?" Misty retorted, making Carter look like the unreasonable one.

He deliberated, but no words came out of his mouth, even though he was a master negotiator in business deals worth hundreds of millions.

For Misty's safety, Carter drove her over to the hotel. During the car ride, he warned her, "Misty, you've lost your third chance."

Misty totally ignored him. She fretted in the front passenger seat, urging him, "Carter, speed up."

She had blatantly expressed her worry for another man in front of her husband without guilt. Carter, who had accepted the fact he would always come after Zach and anyone related to Zach, fell silent and focused on driving.

Once they arrived at the hotel, Carter met Zeke, who bore a resemblance to Zach. The handsome young man with a strained expression was engaged in a tense discussion with the police.

When Zeke spotted them, he approached them. "Hi, Misty." He turned to Carter, asking, "Who is this?"

Misty explained absentmindedly, "Oh, he's my husband." She lifted her chin in the direction of the crowds at Zeke's room entrance. "What's going on?"

Zeke smiled wryly. "I've called the police, but the hotel refused to take responsibility. They blamed me for setting up the hidden cameras and for blackmailing them."

Misty's expression turned grim as she went up to argue with the authorities.

Meanwhile, Carter stood there, watching his wife arguing and calling up lawyers to defend another man. He let out a depressed sigh.

"I heard Misty has not once forgotten about Zach." Zeke, who stood beside him, suddenly muttered, "I look just like my brother. Do you think I stand a chance if I go after your woman?"