"What is it?" I ask quietly, moving to a corner of the private dining room.

"Diana and Cassandra just left the Pierce mansion," Marcus reports. "They looked pleased with themselves. And there's more—Nathaniel Pierce has booked a flight to Singapore for tomorrow morning."


Singapore—where Ascendant Group's headquarters are located. Where all our corporate records are kept. This can't be coincidence.

"They're still digging," I conclude. "Trying to find something to use against me."

"Seems that way," Marcus agrees. "Want me to have someone follow Nathaniel to Singapore?"


"Yes," I decide immediately. "And increase security at the office there. Alert Chen to lock down all sensitive files. No access without direct authorization from me."

"Already done," Marcus assures me. "There's one more thing—Isabella Pierce is at Le Cirque tonight. Our sources say she planned to 'accidentally' run into you and Ethan."


"Too late on that warning," I reply dryly. "She's already made her appearance. Very interested in the details of our 'whirlwind romance.'"

"They're coordinating," Marcus observes. "The Pierce siblings and the Morgan women. That's not a combination I like."

"Me neither," I agree. "Keep the surveillance in place. I want to know every move they make."

After ending the call, I return to the table where Ethan waits patiently. "Everything alright?" he asks.

"Just some issues with our Singapore office," I reply, which isn't entirely untrue. "Nothing that can't wait until morning."

Ethan studies me for a moment, as if sensing there's more to the story, but doesn't press. "Shall we skip dessert and head home? I'm sure you're eager to check on Leo."

The consideration touches me—another small kindness that makes it harder to remember that our marriage is supposed to be just business.

"That would be nice," I admit. "It's been a long day."

As Ethan signals for the check, I notice Isabella watching us from across the restaurant, her expression calculating. Whatever she hoped to accomplish with her interruption, she's clearly not satisfied with the outcome.

Good. Let her report back to Nathaniel and Cassandra that their attempt to gather intelligence failed. Let them wonder about the true nature of my relationship with Ethan. The uncertainty might make them careless.

In the car ride home, Ethan respects my need for quiet, though his hand finds mine in the darkness between us, his fingers intertwining with mine in a gesture that feels both possessive and supportive. I should pull away, maintain the emotional distance that my plan requires, but I find myself allowing the contact, drawing comfort from it after the stresses of the day.

When we reach the penthouse, Mrs. Chen reports that Leo went to bed without fuss, though he insisted on sleeping with all three of his favorite dinosaur toys "for protection."

"Protection from what?" I ask, concerned.

"Monsters under the bed," Mrs. Chen explains with a gentle smile. "He said his daddy checked for monsters last night, but since you were both out tonight, the dinosaurs would have to do it."

The casual mention of Ethan's paternal role—checking for monsters, becoming Leo's protector—sends an unexpected pang through my chest. This is what I wanted for my son, isn't it? A father who cares for him, who makes him feel safe?

"I'll go check on him," Ethan says, already loosening his tie as he heads toward Leo's room.

Left alone with my thoughts, I wander to the living room windows, gazing out at the glittering Manhattan skyline. So much has happened in the few weeks since our return to New York—the DNA test, the marriage, moving into Ethan's penthouse, the acquisition of Morgan Group's Asian division. Each step bringing me closer to my ultimate goal of reclaiming what was stolen from me.

Yet each step also entangles me more deeply in this new life, with its unexpected emotional complications. Leo adores his father. Ethan wants our marriage to become real. And I... I'm increasingly torn between my thirst for revenge and the possibility of genuine happiness with this ready-made family.

"He's sound asleep," Ethan reports, returning to the living room. "Surrounded by dinosaurs like a prehistoric security detail."

The image makes me smile despite my troubled thoughts. "Thank you for checking on him."

"It's my pleasure," Ethan replies, moving to stand beside me at the window. "One of the many father duties I'm still learning."

"You're a natural," I say honestly. "Leo adores you."

"The feeling is mutual," Ethan admits, his expression softening. "I never knew I could love someone so completely, so instantly. From the moment I realized he was mine..."

He trails off, emotion making his voice rough. This is a side of Ethan Knight the business world never sees—the devoted father, the man capable of deep feeling beneath his powerful exterior.

"It's getting late," I say, suddenly needing space from the intensity of the moment. "I should get some rest. Tomorrow will be busy with the acquisition paperwork."

Ethan nods, respecting my retreat though disappointment flickers briefly in his eyes. "Of course. Goodnight, Olivia."

"Goodnight," I reply, turning toward my suite.

"Olivia," he calls softly, stopping me. "Whatever you decide—about us, about making this marriage real—know that I'm committed to making it work. For Leo's sake, and for yours."

The sincerity in his voice follows me into my suite, where I prepare for bed with troubled thoughts. How did this happen? How did my carefully constructed revenge plan become so complicated by genuine emotions?

As I slip between the sheets, my phone buzzes with a final text from Marcus: "Nathaniel's flight confirmed. 8 AM to Singapore. Our people will be on the same plane."

Good. At least one part of my plan is proceeding as expected. Whatever Nathaniel hopes to find in Singapore, my team will be watching, ready to counter any threat to Ascendant Group or to my carefully constructed new identity.

But as I drift toward sleep, it's not thoughts of Nathaniel or Cassandra or even my revenge that fill my mind, but Ethan's words: "I'm committed to making it work. For Leo's sake, and for yours."

The sincerity of that commitment—from a man who doesn't know the truth about who I really am or why I came back to New York—is both touching and terrifying. Because the deeper this deception goes, the more devastating the eventual truth will be.

For all of us.