Chapter 1: The Woman Who Wanted Him Gone
"You're leaving this house tonight.""
I whispered the words so softly that Ethan almost didn't hear me.
But when he finally looked up, I knew he understood.
Across the polished dining room table sat three hundred thousand dollars in neatly stacked bundles, beside a sealed white envelope bearing his name.
ETHAN COLE.
Twenty-three years old. His father's only son. And, according to me, the biggest obstacle standing between my husband and the perfect marriage I had spent eighteen months building.
Ethan stared at the money.
Then he looked at me.
"Vanessa, what is this?""
I lifted my wineglass and took a slow sip.
"An opportunity.""
"An opportunity to do what?""
"Start over somewhere else.""
His eyebrows drew together.
"Why would I need to start over?""
I smiled.
"Because you're old enough to understand that not everyone wants you around.""
The words landed exactly where I intended.
Ethan pulled out a chair but didn't sit.
"Does Dad know about this?""
"Your father has enough responsibilities without worrying about your personal decisions.""
"He's my father.""
"And he's my husband.""
For eighteen months, that sentence had been my favorite weapon.
I had married Marcus Cole, a wealthy real estate developer who owned properties across three states. He was fifty-four, generous, handsome in an understated way, and still carrying the grief of losing his first wife seven years earlier.
His son had never accepted me.
At least, that was what I had convinced Marcus to believe.
I had worked hard to make it happen.
A misplaced watch became an accusation.
A missing document became Ethan's carelessness.
An overheard conversation became proof that he wanted his father to himself.
And every time Marcus questioned me, I cried just enough to make him feel guilty.
Ethan, unfortunately, had never learned when to stop fighting.
Tonight, I intended to give him a reason to stop.
"Open the envelope," I said.
He didn't move.
"What's inside?""
"Something important.""
"Then tell me.""
"Three hundred thousand dollars and a document explaining how you can leave without making this unpleasant.""
His face changed.
"Are you trying to buy me?""
"I'm trying to make your departure easier.""
"You're unbelievable.""
"Careful, Ethan.""
He pushed the chair away.
"Did you steal this money?""
I placed my glass down.
"Excuse me?""
"Where did it come from?""
"That's none of your business.""
"Then why is it sitting in front of me?""
I leaned forward.
"Because your father has spent years giving you everything. A house. An education.
A comfortable life. And you still behave like a spoiled child.""
Ethan stared at me.
"You've been trying to get rid of me since the day Dad proposed.""
"That's not true.""
"You told him I stole his mother's necklace.""
"I never said that.""
"You told him I was taking money from his account.""
"I raised a concern.""
"You told him I threatened you.""
I tilted my head.
"Perhaps you should consider why your father believes those things.""
His jaw tightened.
For a moment, I saw the anger I had been waiting for.
"You're not going to get away with this.""
I laughed softly.
"With what?""
"Whatever you're planning.""
I reached across the table and pushed the envelope toward him.
"Take the money. Sign the document. Leave tonight.""
Ethan looked down.
Then he did something unexpected.
He took out his phone.
"I'm calling Dad.""
I stood immediately.
"Put that away.""
"No.""
"Ethan.""
"Dad deserves to know what's happening.""
I reached for the phone.
He pulled it back.
"Don't touch me.""
His voice was louder now.
I glanced toward the staircase.
Perfect.
"Don't speak to me like that.""
"Then stop trying to control my life!""
I looked at the red silk dress I had chosen for the evening.
Then at the glass beside my hand.
I had rehearsed this moment in my bedroom mirror.
The trembling lip.
The frightened expression.
The sudden cry for help.
Everything.
I grabbed the front of my dress.
And tore it.
The fabric ripped from the neckline to my shoulder.
Ethan froze.
"What the hell are you doing?""
I swept my arm across the table.
The glass crashed against the marble floor. Several bundles of cash scattered.
Then I slapped my own cheek.
Hard.
"Help!""
Ethan stepped backward.
"Vanessa, stop!""
"Get away from me!""
"What are you doing?""
I stumbled against the dining chair and screamed again.
Footsteps thundered down the staircase.
Marcus appeared in the doorway, still wearing his navy business suit.
His eyes moved from my torn dress to the broken glass, then to his son.
"Vanessa?""
I covered my chest.
"Marcus...""
He rushed toward me.
"What happened?""
I pointed at Ethan.
"Your son attacked me!""
Marcus turned.
"What?""
Ethan immediately raised both hands.
"Dad, wait. She—"
"Did you touch her?""
"No!""
"Then why does she look like that?""
"Because she did it herself!""
I buried my face against Marcus's shoulder.
"He demanded money. When I refused to give him more, he grabbed me.""
Marcus looked at the scattered cash.
"Is that what this is about?""
Ethan shook his head.
"She put that money there. She offered me three hundred thousand dollars to leave!""
Marcus looked at me.
I let my lower lip tremble.
"Please don't make me talk about it.""
Ethan took one step forward.
"Look at me, Dad. Just look at me.""
Marcus's expression hardened.
"Did you attack my wife?""
"No!""
"Don't lie to me.""
"She's setting you up!""
Marcus's fist connected with his son's jaw.
The sound echoed through the dining room.
Ethan stumbled sideways and struck the edge of a chair.
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Then he touched his split lip.
"You hit me?""
Marcus stepped between us.
"You will not touch her again.""
Ethan stared at him.
"She's lying.""
"Go upstairs.""
"Dad—"
"NOW!""
Ethan slowly shook his head.
Then his eyes moved toward the ceiling.
A small black security camera was mounted near the chandelier.
He pointed at it.
"Good.""
Marcus frowned.
"What?""
"That camera records everything, doesn't it?""
My stomach tightened.
Marcus glanced upward.
"Yes. I had it installed last month.""
"Then play the recording.""
I tightened my fingers around Marcus's sleeve.
"Darling, please. I'm exhausted.""
Ethan wiped blood from his mouth.
"Of course she wants to leave.""
Marcus pulled out his phone.
"There's no need for this.""
"Then you'll have no problem watching it.""
A blue loading circle appeared on Marcus's screen.
I felt the room shrinking around me.
"Marcus," I whispered.
He didn't look at me.
The recording loaded.
And the first thing that appeared on the screen was me standing beside the table, holding the envelope.
Then came my voice.
"Take the money and disappear.""
Marcus stopped breathing.
But the recording hadn't reached the worst part yet.
Because seconds later, the camera captured something I had completely forgotten.
May you like
Something that would destroy more than my marriage.
It would expose why I had chosen Ethan as my enemy in the first place.
