"Mrs. Knight, a package has arrived for you."

Mrs. Chen's voice pulls me from my laptop screen, where I've been reviewing the final details of Ascendant Group's offer for Morgan Group's Asian division. The acquisition is moving forward faster than expected, thanks in part to my father's unexpected interest after meeting me at the gala three days ago.


"Thank you, Mrs. Chen," I reply, closing my laptop. "Who's it from?"

"The card says 'Vivienne Knight,'" she answers, placing an elegantly wrapped box on my desk. "Shall I open it for you?"

"No, thank you. I'll handle it." I wait until she leaves before carefully unwrapping the package.


Inside is a stunning diamond necklace—a delicate platinum chain supporting a teardrop diamond that must be at least five carats. The accompanying note reads: "For tonight's charity auction. Every Knight woman needs her armor. Looking forward to meeting my grandson. —Vivienne"

I stare at the necklace, conflicted. On one hand, it's a peace offering from my mother-in-law, who's coming to dinner tonight to meet Leo for the first time. On the other, it feels like another attempt to remake me in the Knight family image—to dress me up like a doll in clothes and jewels I didn't choose for myself.


My phone buzzes with a text from Ethan: "Mother's gift arrive?"

So he knew about this. I type back: "Yes. It's beautiful but unnecessary."

His response comes quickly: "Humor her. She's nervous about tonight."

Vivienne Knight, nervous? The elegant, formidable woman I met at the gala didn't strike me as someone who gets nervous about anything. But then again, meeting one's previously unknown grandson is hardly an everyday occurrence.

I sigh and place the necklace back in its box. I'll wear it tonight, if only to keep the peace. The last thing I need is tension with Ethan's mother when I'm trying to maintain the facade of our perfect marriage while executing my revenge plan.

Speaking of which...

I unlock my phone and check the encrypted messaging app where my investigator sends updates. The latest report confirms what I've suspected: Diana and Nathaniel Pierce have been meeting regularly, often joined by Maxwell Pierce. Something is brewing there—a counter-move to my acquisition plan, perhaps, or something more personal.

A soft knock at my office door interrupts my thoughts. "Mommy?" Leo's voice calls. "Can I come in?"

"Of course, sweetheart," I reply, quickly closing the messaging app.

Leo bounds in, his face alight with excitement. "Daddy's teaching me chess! I already know how all the pieces move!"

"That's wonderful," I say, pulling him onto my lap. "Chess is an excellent game for smart boys like you."

"Daddy says it teaches stragedy," Leo announces proudly, stumbling over the word.

"Strategy," I correct gently. "And he's right. It's about thinking several moves ahead."

"Like what you do with your business," Leo says, surprising me with his insight.

"Yes," I agree, smoothing his hair. "Very much like that."

"Are you excited to meet Grandma Vivienne tonight?" he asks, changing subjects with the lightning speed only children can manage.

The question gives me pause. In the whirlwind of the past week—the DNA test, the marriage, moving into Ethan's penthouse—I haven't had time to consider what Ethan's family means for Leo. He's gaining not just a father but grandparents, possibly aunts, uncles, cousins. An entire family tree he never knew existed.

"I'm looking forward to it," I say carefully. "She's very eager to meet you."

"Will she bring me presents?" Leo asks, his priorities clear.

I laugh despite myself. "Probably. But remember, it's not polite to expect gifts."

"I know," he sighs dramatically. "Be polite, say please and thank you, don't talk with my mouth full."

"Exactly," I confirm, kissing the top of his head. "Now, why don't you go back to your chess lesson? I need to finish some work before tonight."

After Leo scampers off, I return to my laptop, but concentration proves elusive. Tonight's dinner with Vivienne Knight represents another step deeper into this strange new life I've created—wife to Ethan, daughter-in-law to Vivienne, part of a family I'm using for my own purposes.

The guilt that accompanies this thought is unexpected and unwelcome. I've spent five years planning my revenge, justifying every move as necessary justice for what was done to me. Why am I suddenly questioning my methods?

Because of Leo, whispers a voice in my head. Because he's forming attachments to Ethan, to this new family. Attachments that will be severed when the truth eventually comes out.

I push the thought away. Leo is resilient. And when this is over, he'll still have me. He'll still have his father, assuming Ethan wasn't complicit in my destruction. That's more than many children have.

With renewed determination, I return to my work, finalizing the acquisition proposal that will be the first step in reclaiming what was stolen from me.

---

"Leo, come meet your grandmother," Ethan calls, his hand resting lightly on his mother's back as they enter the penthouse living room.

Leo looks up from his dinosaur book, suddenly shy in the presence of this elegant stranger. Vivienne Knight is impeccably dressed in a cream Chanel suit, her silver-blonde hair styled in a perfect chignon, diamonds glittering at her ears and throat.

"Hello," Leo says quietly, hanging back near my side.

Vivienne's expression softens as she looks at him, her composure cracking slightly. "Hello, Leo," she replies, her voice gentler than I've heard it before. "I'm very happy to meet you."

She kneels down, an unexpected gesture from a woman who looks like she's never knelt in her life, bringing herself to Leo's eye level. "Your father tells me you like dinosaurs. Is that right?"

Leo nods, warming slightly at the mention of his favorite subject. "T-Rex is my favorite. He's the king."

"Well, I happen to have something for a boy who likes dinosaurs," Vivienne says, reaching into her handbag and withdrawing a small wrapped package. "May I give it to you?"

Leo looks to me for permission, and at my nod, steps forward to accept the gift. He unwraps it carefully to reveal a small silver dinosaur figurine—exquisitely crafted, clearly an expensive piece.

"It's a T-Rex," Vivienne explains. "Sterling silver. Your grandfather—your father's father—collects silver animals. I thought you might like to start your own collection."

"It's beautiful," Leo breathes, turning the figurine to catch the light. "Thank you, Grandma Vivienne."

The title—used for the first time—brings a suspicious sheen to Vivienne's eyes. She blinks rapidly, composing herself as she rises to her feet. "You're very welcome, Leo."

Ethan watches this exchange with an expression I can't quite decipher—pride, perhaps, or relief that his mother and son are connecting. His eyes meet mine over Leo's head, and he mouths a silent "Thank you."

For what? For allowing this meeting? For giving him a son? For agreeing to this elaborate charade of a marriage? I'm not sure, but I nod in acknowledgment anyway.

"Dinner is ready," Mrs. Chen announces from the doorway. "Shall I serve?"

"Yes, please," Ethan replies. "Leo, why don't you wash your hands before we eat?"

As Leo scampers off to the bathroom, Vivienne turns to me, her eyes dropping to my throat where her diamond necklace now rests. "The necklace suits you," she observes. "Though I see you already have quite a collection of fine jewelry."

Her gaze shifts meaningfully to the sapphire ring on my right hand—the replica Ethan gave me of my mother's heirloom. There's a question in her eyes, one I'm not prepared to answer.

"Thank you for the necklace," I say instead. "It's exquisite."

"It was my grandmother's," Vivienne replies. "I wore it when Ethan was born. It seemed fitting that you should have it now."

The sentiment behind the gift—a family heirloom, not just an expensive bauble—catches me off guard. This isn't simply about dressing me appropriately for my role as Ethan's wife; it's about welcoming me into the family legacy.

The realization sits uncomfortably alongside my plans for revenge. These people—Ethan, Vivienne—they're not just pawns in my game. They're real, with histories and emotions and attachments forming to both me and Leo.

"I'm honored," I say finally, meaning it despite my reservations.

Dinner is a surprisingly pleasant affair. Vivienne, for all her intimidating elegance, is wonderful with Leo, asking him questions about his interests and listening attentively to his rambling answers about dinosaurs and space and his new school that he'll start next week.

"He's remarkably articulate for his age," she observes during a moment when Leo is distracted by dessert. "And so poised. You've done an excellent job raising him, Olivia."

The compliment, delivered with apparent sincerity, catches me off guard again. "Thank you," I reply. "It hasn't always been easy, but he's worth every challenge."

"Children usually are," Vivienne agrees, her eyes drifting to Ethan. "Though I won't pretend I did it alone. We had nannies, of course, and Jonathan was... well, present, if not always engaged."

There's a story there—some tension between Ethan and his father that explains his determination to be an involved parent to Leo. I file the observation away for later consideration.

After dinner, Leo proudly shows Vivienne his dinosaur room, leaving Ethan and me alone in the dining room for a moment.

"That went well," he says, refilling our wine glasses. "My mother likes you."

"How can you tell?" I ask, genuinely curious. Vivienne Knight is not an easy woman to read.

"She gave you her grandmother's necklace," Ethan replies simply. "She's never done that with anyone before—not even women I dated seriously."

The implication that our marriage of convenience somehow means more to his family than his previous relationships is unsettling. "I'm the mother of her grandson," I point out. "That makes a difference."

"It's more than that," Ethan insists, his blue eyes intent on mine. "She sees something in you that she respects. That's rare."

Before I can respond, Vivienne and Leo return, the latter yawning widely despite his attempts to hide it.

"I think someone is ready for bed," I observe, rising from my chair. "Say goodnight to Grandma Vivienne, Leo."

To my surprise, Leo throws his arms around Vivienne's waist in a spontaneous hug. "Goodnight, Grandma. Will you come back soon?"

Vivienne's hand comes to rest gently on Leo's head, her expression softening again. "Of course I will. Perhaps next time you can come visit my house. I have a garden with a pond full of fish."

"Real fish?" Leo asks, eyes widening.

"Real fish," Vivienne confirms. "Some as big as your arm."

With promises of fish-viewing in his future, Leo allows me to lead him to bed. By the time I return to the living room, Vivienne is preparing to leave, Ethan helping her with her coat.

"Olivia," she says, turning to me. "I hope you'll join us at the charity auction tomorrow night. It's for the children's hospital—a cause dear to my heart."

"Of course," I reply automatically, though this is the first I'm hearing of it.

"Excellent. It's black tie, at the Waldorf. I've taken the liberty of reserving seats for you and Ethan at our family table." She kisses my cheek, a gesture that surprises me with its warmth. "The necklace will be perfect for the occasion."

After she leaves, I turn to Ethan with raised eyebrows. "Another social event? Were you planning to mention it?"

"I was waiting for the right moment," he admits. "It's an important night for my mother—she chairs the hospital board. And it's a good opportunity for us to continue establishing ourselves as a couple in society's eyes."

He's right, of course. The more we're seen together, the more legitimate our sudden marriage appears. And these high-profile events are exactly where I need to be to execute my plan—to be seen by the right people, to make connections that will further my goals.

"What time tomorrow?" I ask, resigned.

"Car will pick us up at seven," Ethan replies, relief evident in his voice. "Thank you for being so accommodating with all of this. I know it's not what you signed up for."

"Actually, it's exactly what I signed up for," I remind him. "A year of playing the perfect wife in public, remember? That includes charity auctions and family dinners."

Ethan studies me for a moment, his expression thoughtful. "You're very good at it, you know. Sometimes I almost forget this isn't real."

The admission sends an unexpected pang through my chest. Because sometimes, in unguarded moments, I forget too.

"It's late," I say, changing the subject. "I should get some rest if we have another event tomorrow."

Ethan nods, though something in his eyes suggests he wanted to say more. "Goodnight, Olivia."

"Goodnight," I reply, retreating to my suite before I can do something foolish—like ask him to stay, like admit that sometimes, when he looks at me with those blue eyes so like our son's, I wonder what it would be like if our marriage were more than a business arrangement.

Such thoughts are dangerous, a distraction from my purpose. I can't afford to develop genuine feelings for Ethan Knight—not when I'm still not sure whether he was complicit in my destruction five years ago, not when my plans for revenge will eventually shatter this fragile family we've created.

As I prepare for bed, my phone buzzes with a text from Marcus: "Diana Morgan and Nathaniel Pierce spotted at Chimera Holdings office today. Something big is happening. Call me."

I glance at the time—nearly midnight. Too late to call without raising Ethan's suspicions. It will have to wait until morning.

Whatever Diana and Nathaniel are planning, I need to be one step ahead. The charity auction tomorrow presents another opportunity to observe them, to gather intelligence while maintaining my cover as Ethan Knight's devoted wife.

The perfect charade, for just a little longer.