He Thought I Couldn't Understand That Call

I tailed Ethan's car until he pulled into a private club for the upper crust, then I eased in and parked at the curb.

Thankfully, the guard at the gate recognized my car. He just dipped his head in respect and let me pass without a word.

I stayed in the car, watching quietly through the windshield.

As soon as Ethan opened his door, Sandy burst out of the club in a ridiculously short skirt and threw herself into his arms, clinging to him like a cat in heat.

"Honey, that LED balloon show just now made me so jealous."

Ethan patted her back, his voice dripping with indulgence. "Didn't I throw you that water projection show for your birthday a few days ago? Wasn't that enough for you, Little Pearl?

"Just behave and don't let Aria find out about us, and you won't miss out on anything she gets."

My chest tightened so hard it felt like I couldn't breathe. That lavish water projection show from a few days earlier flashed through my mind.

That night, Ethan had told me he needed to "deal with" an employee who'd leaked confidential information. He never came home.

I'd been up all night, sick with worry about him.

Now I finally got it. The thing he was "dealing with" was actually sharing Sandy's bed.

Sandy let out a light, teasing laugh as her fingers traced slow circles on his chest beneath his shirt. "So, I'm not allowed to be jealous now, huh, Mr. CEO? Figures. What am I even supposed to do with you?

"You're still my man. I've got something special lined up for you tonight."

She leaned in and whispered something in his ear. His eyes darkened with hunger.

Right there in front of everyone, Ethan scooped her up and carried her straight into the club. She breathed out a sultry moan before he kissed her into silence.

Once the elevator doors slid shut, they headed straight for the presidential suite on the top floor.

I stayed in the car, staring after them until they were gone.

That was the moment our six-year marriage finally fell apart. I thought I was past feeling anything, but the tears still came uncontrollably.

When we'd first gotten married, Ethan promised we'd spend every anniversary together. Now, one call from Sandy was all it took for him to forget.

I'd lost in every way that mattered. I took a long breath, forcing the pain in my chest back under control.

I just had to hang on for three more days. After that, I'd finally be free of all this.

…

It was 2:00 am when I finally returned to the estate. I went straight past the master bedroom and into the guest room, locking the door behind me.

Around 3:30 am, Ethan came storming down the hall, shouting my name, his voice slipping further off the rails with every word.

"Aria? Aria! Damn it! Where did she go? What good are any of you if you can't even keep track of one person?"

The butler, Arthur Page, answered in a shaky voice. "Mr. Grant, Mrs. Grant's car isn't in the driveway. She may have gone out."

"Find her! I don't care what it takes. Turn this city upside down if you have to!"

His footsteps drew closer. I killed the light, dove under the covers, and pretended I'd just been jolted awake by the noise.

The door flew open with a bang.

The second Ethan saw me, his anger melted into relief. "Oh God, Aria, you scared me half to death. I almost lost it looking for you!"

He rushed over and pulled me into a tight hug. I could feel his heart racing against my chest.

I patted his back gently. "What's wrong?"

Ethan kissed my crown, his voice threaded with fear. "It's nothing. I just couldn't find you, and I freaked out. Why weren't you in our bedroom?"

"I couldn't sleep, so I thought I'd try a different room."

I'd lived with lies for so long they came out of me without effort.

Relief flashed across Ethan's face. "Don't ever do that again. I can't handle not knowing where you are. You know I'd do anything for you."

If he really meant it, he wouldn't be with Sandy at all.

I closed my eyes and smirked, more determined than ever.

…

The next morning, I put together a small, elegant gift box. Inside, I laid my wedding ring, my prenatal test results, and the divorce papers I had signed in the middle of the night.

I closed the lid, tied the ribbon, and handed it to Ethan. "Ethan, this is my anniversary present for you."

He took the box, a little surprised. "Can I open it now?"

"No. Open it in two days. It'll be more special then."

He nodded and carefully set the box in the safe. "Whatever it is, I'm going to love it."

Great. Just what I wanted to hear.

In two days, I'd be gone from Ethan's life for good. By then, that "gift" would've told him the whole truth.

The words had barely left his mouth when the doorbell rang.

He opened the door to find Sandy standing there, tears streaming her face, looking heartbreakingly fragile.