Victoria, we've been hearing interesting things tonight. Richard, Patricia. Victoria's voice was steady now, controlled. I'd like you to meet my husband, Ethan Carter. Patricia Chen smiled warmly.
"It's lovely to meet you, Ethan. Victoria has been keeping you quite the secret. We prefer privacy," Ethan said, especially given how public Victoria's professional life is. Richard nodded like this made perfect sense. "Quite right.
The business press can be invasive, though. I'm surprised Thomas never mentioned Victoria had married. He and I play golf twice a month. Victoria's grip tightened further on Ethan's arm. My father and I have a complicated relationship regarding my personal life.
He had expectations about who I should marry that didn't align with my choices. Patricia made a sympathetic sound. Family expectations can be difficult, but ultimately you have to live your own life. They talked for another 10 minutes. Easy conversation about holidays, Chicago weather, the Meridian Holdings partnership.
Ethan said as little as possible, letting Victoria carry the discussion while he stood beside her, projecting whatever version of supportive husband seemed appropriate. Marcus kept his distance through the rest of the evening, but Ethan could feel him watching, calculating, adjusting whatever strategy he'd had before encountering this new information. At 11:17 p.m., Victoria's composure finally cracked. Ethan felt it in the way her hand started shaking against his elbow, the way her breathing changed, the subtle shift from controlled performance to someone who'd been performing too long. He leaned close enough that his voice wouldn't carry.
Service corridor now. She didn't argue, just let him guide her away from the ballroom. The corridor was empty. Victoria put her back against the concrete wall and slid down until she was sitting on the floor. Her $4,000 dress pulled around her.
She didn't seem to care. I can't believe I just did that. Her voice was hollow. shock setting in as adrenaline faded. I kissed a stranger, lied to everyone, told Richard and Patricia, you're my husband when you're She gestured vaguely at his uniform. When I'm what?
Ethan kept his voice gentle. A maintenance worker. That's what I am. If that's a problem, you should have thought about it before you kissed me in front of 200 people. Victoria laughed.
Broken sound. That was half sob. The worst part is it worked. Did you see Marcus's face? He didn't expect it.
Couldn't process it. And Richard and Patricia actually seemed happy for me. Ethan filled a paper cup with water from the corridor fountain, brought it back, and pressed it into her hands. "What happens now?" he asked. Marcus is going to investigate me.