The Substitute Wife’s Second Chance

"What did the police say?" I demanded, crossing the kitchen in three strides.

Chloe’s hands shook as she lowered the phone. "His driver hit the utility pole outside our building. Daniel is down there right now. He wanted to make sure your flowers arrived safely."

I grabbed my coat from the back of the chair.

"Victoria, wait!" Chloe called out, chasing me to the door. "What are you going to do?"

"I am going to say thank you," I replied.

I hurried down the stairwell and pushed open the heavy glass doors of the lobby.

A sleek black town car sat parked at an awkward angle on the curb. The front bumper pressed against a dented streetlamp.

Daniel stood on the sidewalk. His tailored charcoal suit looked flawless under the streetlights. No blood. No injuries. He looked exactly like the monster who had ordered my baby’s death.

"Victoria," he said. His voice wrapped around my name like a warm blanket.

I forced my muscles to relax. I needed him to believe I was falling for his act. I needed to study him.

"Are you alright?" I asked, keeping my tone light and concerned.

"Just a minor detour." He stepped away from the damaged car and closed the distance between us. He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a small, silver-wrapped box. "I wanted to give you this in person."

I took the box. I didn't need to open it to know what rested inside. The faint scent of jasmine and white musk lingered on the ribbon. *Fleur de Lune.* My signature perfume from my past life.

"You shouldn't have," I said.

"A woman I knew used to love this scent," Daniel murmured.

His eyes darkened. He stared at my face, but he wasn't looking at me. He was looking right through me.

"Zoe," he whispered. "She had an exceptional eye for beauty."

There it was. The flash of obsession. The ghost he wanted me to play. Seven years ago, I thought he was just sharing a painful memory. Now, I recognized the madness hiding behind his gentle smile.

"I will treasure it," I lied.

"I can send another car," Daniel offered. "We can still make our dinner reservation."

"It has been a long day," I said, stepping backward toward the lobby doors. "I need to rest. But I will see you at the investment gala tonight."

Daniel’s expression stiffened for a fraction of a second before smoothing into a perfect smile. "I will look for you."

***

"You are going to ruin the batch," Chloe argued.

I poured the crushed pearl extract into the glass mixing bowl. "Watch the consistency."

She peered over my shoulder. "Wow. It binds perfectly."

"We aren't making cheap lip-gloss anymore," I said. I set the beaker down and wiped my hands on a towel. "We are building a high-end line. I need this prototype ready for the gala tonight."

"Daniel is going to fund us," Chloe insisted. "Why are you pushing yourself so hard? Just let him write the check."

"I am not taking his money."

"Are you crazy?" Chloe yelled. "He is the biggest tech investor in the city!"

"His terms require too much control," I countered. "I am not going to be his pet project. I am going to pitch to his rivals."

Chloe threw her hands up. "You are going to make him furious."

"Good," I said.

***

The ballroom buzzed with wealthy investors and socialites. Crystal chandeliers cast a warm glow over the crowd.

Daniel found me near the entrance. He immediately reached for my hand.

"You look stunning," he said.

I pulled my fingers away and grabbed a champagne flute from a passing waiter's tray. "Thank you. Have you seen the representatives from Holt Retail?"

"Don't worry about business tonight," Daniel urged, stepping closer. "Let me introduce you to my inner circle."

"Mr. Miller!" a loud voice boomed from the left. A group of older executives waved him over.

"Give me one moment," Daniel said. His jaw tightened in annoyance. He shot a warning glare at the executives before walking away.

I turned my back to him and faced the bar.

A tall man in a navy velvet blazer stood next to me. He pointed at the leather portfolio tucked under my arm.

"You guard that like it holds nuclear launch codes," the man noted.

"It holds my future," I replied.

He laughed. "Igor Belmont."

"Victoria."

"I know who you are." Igor took a sip of his drink. "You are the girl turning down Daniel Miller's exclusive funding offers. The whole room is talking about it."

"Let them talk."

"Why reject him?" Igor asked, tilting his head.

"I prefer to steer my own ship," I said. I met his gaze directly. "His money comes with invisible strings. I am looking for a partner, not a dictator."

Igor’s eyes lit up with genuine interest. "Most people would kill for his backing. You are playing a dangerous game, Victoria, using his gala invites to pitch to his rivals."

"Are you a rival, Mr. Belmont?"

"I am an opportunist." He set his glass down on the marble counter. "Victoria, a truly smart woman doesn't need to depend on any man. Let me see the portfolio."

I handed the leather folder to him. He opened it and flipped through the first three pages, nodding slowly.

"What is going on here?" Daniel's voice sliced through the music.

He stepped between Igor and me. His shoulders squared, blocking my view of the room.

"Victoria and I are discussing cosmetics," Igor said smoothly, tapping the open folder.

"Victoria doesn't need outside investors," Daniel snapped. He reached for my waist.

I sidestepped, letting his hand grasp empty air.

"Actually, Daniel, I do," I said.

Daniel stared at me. A muscle feathered in his cheek. Pure panic flashed in his eyes, quickly masked by rising anger. He wasn't in control, and the realization terrified him.

"We already discussed this," Daniel insisted, his voice dropping to a harsh whisper. "I am handling your brand."

"You are handling your own investments," I corrected. "Igor is reviewing my formulas."

Igor closed the folder and handed it back to me. "I am very impressed, Victoria. Call my office tomorrow morning. We will set up a formal meeting."

"Thank you, Mr. Belmont," I said.

Daniel glared at Igor. "She won't be calling."

"I will," I promised.

I turned away from both of them. "Excuse me. I need to use the restroom."

I didn't wait for Daniel to argue. I walked quickly across the ballroom, pushing through the heavy oak doors of the women's lounge.

Silence greeted me. The thick walls blocked out the noise of the party.

I walked over to the marble sinks and turned on the cold water. I pressed my wet fingers against my temples, washing away the tension. Daniel's reaction confirmed everything. He needed me isolated. He needed me dependent.

A stall door clicked open behind me.

Footsteps tapped against the tile floor.

"Do you have a tissue?" a soft, melodic voice asked.

I grabbed a paper towel from the dispenser and held it out.

I looked up into the wide mirror above the sinks.

The paper towel slipped from my fingers, fluttering to the wet floor.

The woman standing behind me had pale skin, large doe eyes, and a small, heart-shaped birthmark just below her left collarbone.

Zoe.

"Thank you," she said, bending down to pick up the fallen towel.

My heart slammed against my ribs. I couldn't speak. I couldn't move.

She wasn't a ghost. She wasn't a memory.

Zoe was alive.