I turned to Ethan. His eyes had gone sharp with suspicion.

I held on to my usual gentle smile as I said, "A friend was filling me in on some office gossip. Apparently, a CEO cheated on his wife, and now she's talking about divorce."

If he were set on putting on a show, I'd play my part all the way to the final curtain.

Ethan studied my face, his gaze roaming as if he were looking for a tell. When he didn't find one, his shoulders finally loosened.

He slid an arm around my waist and kissed my forehead. "That guy's an idiot. He doesn't get that the woman waiting up with the light on every night is the one who actually loves him.

"If it were me, I'd rather die than cheat on you."

I met his deep eyes and let out a quiet laugh. "But what if it actually happened? What if—"

Ethan cut me off right away. "Aria, we're not doing hypotheticals. I, Ethan Grant, swear on every bit of wealth and success I'll ever have that I will never betray you."

I shook my head, swallowing the sting in my chest like it was nothing. "Of course. I was just saying."

Ethan went quiet, brushing my cheek with his rough stubble. I could feel how rattled he was.

It didn't make sense. He was sleeping with Sandy, but he still had this stubborn need to keep his claim on me.

"If I ever break my word, then I deserve to lose you forever. You're my angel and my whole life. Aria, without you, I'd be living in hell."

I didn't say a word as I gently eased out of his arms.

I'd be gone in three days, and the consequence he'd sworn to would finally come due.

That was when Ethan's assistant, Nathan Hayes, called from the doorway. "Mr. Grant, everything's ready."

Ethan nodded, then gave me a small, unreadable smile. "Come on. I've got a surprise for you."

He took my hand and led me out to the terrace, then suddenly covered my eyes. He leaned in and whispered in my ear, "Get ready for your surprise. Five, four, three…"

The moment the countdown ended, he pulled his hands away from my eyes.

I froze, completely stunned by what I saw.

The harbor beyond the terrace was washed in light as dozens of LED balloons drifted upward, slowly gathering into the shape of a glowing "six".

Ethan slipped his arms around me from behind, his voice soft with emotion. "Sweetheart, even after six years of marriage, every day with you still feels just as perfect as the day I first met you."

The lights in the sky were dazzling, but something inside me quietly sank.

Six years had passed. I'd gone from the Searles' precious daughter to a Grant by marriage, folded into a life of money and shine.

Six years had changed me a lot. It was long enough for love to rot into betrayal and for vows to turn into lies.

Ethan turned me to face him, looking at me as if I were his entire world. "We'll have countless six-year stretches together, and I'll give you my best in every single one."

He leaned in slowly to kiss me.

If I hadn't found Sandy's pearl earring tucked in the love couch, I probably would've fallen for that look forever.

His phone started ringing right before he reached me. He frowned, clearly annoyed at the interruption.

Perfect. Now I didn't have to figure out how to dodge his kiss.

"Damn it. I said I didn't want anyone bothering me tonight. Let's see who actually has the guts to ignore that!"

But as soon as Ethan saw who was calling, his expression flipped. The name "My Little Pearl" flashed across the screen.

I didn't need a second guess. It was Sandy.

Ethan cleared his throat, tilted the phone away from me, and started tapping at the screen in a rush.

I could see panic and longing in his eyes. Sure enough, he turned back to me a second later with that practiced, guilty look.

"What is it?" I asked calmly, even though my nails were biting into my palms.

I already knew the truth. I just wanted to see which one of us he'd pick.

Ethan slipped his phone into his pocket, apology all over his face. "Sweetheart, something urgent came up at work. I have to take care of it."

"Right now?"

"I'm sorry. I know tonight is important, but I can't put this off. Why don't you go rest in the bedroom? I'll be back soon."

I nodded meekly. "I understand. Work comes first."

Ethan visibly relaxed at my answer. He gave me a quick hug and headed out. His car pulled away from the estate, its taillights disappearing into the dark.

I headed for the driveway. I was going to see for myself just how "urgent" this really was.

I tailed Ethan's car until he pulled into a private club for the upper crust, then I eased in and parked at the curb.

Thankfully, the guard at the gate recognized my car. He just dipped his head in respect and let me pass without a word.

I stayed in the car, watching quietly through the windshield.

As soon as Ethan opened his door, Sandy burst out of the club in a ridiculously short skirt and threw herself into his arms, clinging to him like a cat in heat.

"Honey, that LED balloon show just now made me so jealous."

Ethan patted her back, his voice dripping with indulgence. "Didn't I throw you that water projection show for your birthday a few days ago? Wasn't that enough for you, Little Pearl?

"Just behave and don't let Aria find out about us, and you won't miss out on anything she gets."

My chest tightened so hard it felt like I couldn't breathe. That lavish water projection show from a few days earlier flashed through my mind.

That night, Ethan had told me he needed to "deal with" an employee who'd leaked confidential information. He never came home.

I'd been up all night, sick with worry about him.

Now I finally got it. The thing he was "dealing with" was actually sharing Sandy's bed.

Sandy let out a light, teasing laugh as her fingers traced slow circles on his chest beneath his shirt. "So, I'm not allowed to be jealous now, huh, Mr. CEO? Figures. What am I even supposed to do with you?

"You're still my man. I've got something special lined up for you tonight."

She leaned in and whispered something in his ear. His eyes darkened with hunger.

Right there in front of everyone, Ethan scooped her up and carried her straight into the club. She breathed out a sultry moan before he kissed her into silence.

Once the elevator doors slid shut, they headed straight for the presidential suite on the top floor.

I stayed in the car, staring after them until they were gone.

That was the moment our six-year marriage finally fell apart. I thought I was past feeling anything, but the tears still came uncontrollably.

When we'd first gotten married, Ethan promised we'd spend every anniversary together. Now, one call from Sandy was all it took for him to forget.

I'd lost in every way that mattered. I took a long breath, forcing the pain in my chest back under control.

I just had to hang on for three more days. After that, I'd finally be free of all this.

…

It was 2:00 am when I finally returned to the estate. I went straight past the master bedroom and into the guest room, locking the door behind me.

Around 3:30 am, Ethan came storming down the hall, shouting my name, his voice slipping further off the rails with every word.

"Aria? Aria! Damn it! Where did she go? What good are any of you if you can't even keep track of one person?"

The butler, Arthur Page, answered in a shaky voice. "Mr. Grant, Mrs. Grant's car isn't in the driveway. She may have gone out."

"Find her! I don't care what it takes. Turn this city upside down if you have to!"

His footsteps drew closer. I killed the light, dove under the covers, and pretended I'd just been jolted awake by the noise.

The door flew open with a bang.

The second Ethan saw me, his anger melted into relief. "Oh God, Aria, you scared me half to death. I almost lost it looking for you!"

He rushed over and pulled me into a tight hug. I could feel his heart racing against my chest.

I patted his back gently. "What's wrong?"

Ethan kissed my crown, his voice threaded with fear. "It's nothing. I just couldn't find you, and I freaked out. Why weren't you in our bedroom?"

"I couldn't sleep, so I thought I'd try a different room."

I'd lived with lies for so long they came out of me without effort.

Relief flashed across Ethan's face. "Don't ever do that again. I can't handle not knowing where you are. You know I'd do anything for you."

If he really meant it, he wouldn't be with Sandy at all.

I closed my eyes and smirked, more determined than ever.

…

The next morning, I put together a small, elegant gift box. Inside, I laid my wedding ring, my prenatal test results, and the divorce papers I had signed in the middle of the night.

I closed the lid, tied the ribbon, and handed it to Ethan. "Ethan, this is my anniversary present for you."

He took the box, a little surprised. "Can I open it now?"

"No. Open it in two days. It'll be more special then."

He nodded and carefully set the box in the safe. "Whatever it is, I'm going to love it."

Great. Just what I wanted to hear.

In two days, I'd be gone from Ethan's life for good. By then, that "gift" would've told him the whole truth.

The words had barely left his mouth when the doorbell rang.

He opened the door to find Sandy standing there, tears streaming her face, looking heartbreakingly fragile.

Ethan's face darkened. He grabbed Sandy by the wrist and dragged her into the backyard.

"I told you not to come here! If Aria finds out, you're finished!"

I slipped behind the curtains on the third floor. From there, I had a clear view of the yard.

In a burst of rage, Ethan shoved Sandy hard. "Have you lost your mind? Are you trying to ruin my life?"

She was shaking, her fingers clumsy as she rummaged through her bag until she finally pulled out a medical report. Even from this far away, her voice carried straight up to me.

"I know I shouldn't have shown up, but I'm pregnant. I'm ten weeks along, and the doctor already says it's high-risk. Ethan, I'm terrified. Is the baby going to be okay?

"This is your first child, the one who's supposed to be your heir."

My world caved in. It was like my heart had cracked clean in two and someone had sucked all the air out of the room.

So, Sandy was pregnant with Ethan's child, too?

Back when Ethan and I had just gotten married, we talked about having kids. He took my hand and told me he didn't want any yet.

"I want our love to stay pure. I don't want it weighed down by responsibility," he'd said.

And I'd believed him. I went on birth control like an idiot.

Only now did it finally click. His idea of "pure" love actually meant keeping things open for somebody else.

Ethan froze at the word "pregnant". His gaze dropped to her belly, disbelief flashing across his face.

He always used protection. So, how was this even possible?

The doubt, though, vanished almost as soon as it appeared.

Ethan rested a hand on Sandy's shoulder, and his voice softened all at once. "Ten weeks already? Then we need to be extra careful. Nothing can happen to this heir. Wait in the car.

"I'll have the best private physician check you over."

Her tears faded into a smile as she rose on her toes to kiss him.

Ethan's eyes darkened, and he gently turned away. "Remember where we are. This is the Grant estate. Take care of the baby you're carrying, Little Pearl. And don't tempt me."

Then he headed back inside with a faint, expectant smile.

I went back to the dining room and sank into my chair, my fingers ice-cold.

Ten weeks. So, whatever was between them had started long before I ever found out.

I pressed a hand to my belly, a dull ache spreading through my chest. This was all on me. I'd failed to give this baby a real family.

A moment later, Ethan walked in as if nothing had happened. "Aria, I'll be gone for two days. Our competitor's making a move, and I have to handle it myself. Just stay home and wait for me, okay?"

I nodded quietly.

When Ethan saw how composed I looked, he exhaled in relief, gave me a quick hug, and headed out. His performance was flawless, slipping between Sandy and me as if it cost him nothing.

I watched him go and then glanced at the calendar hanging on the wall.

This might be the last time we ever see each other in this life.

That afternoon, a photo of an ultrasound report popped up on my phone, followed immediately by a video.

In it, Ethan was holding Sandy gently by the waist, kissing her belly. The tenderness on his face was something he'd never shown me.

The sender showed up as an unknown number, but I couldn't have been more sure who it was.

Sandy was bold enough to taunt me, probably because she was carrying the Grants' heir. What she didn't realize was that none of it worked on me anymore.

My heart was already burned out, and I'd already decided to disappear.

…

Two days went by without a single word from Ethan. I spent them wiping away anything that proved I'd ever been there.

I donated every piece of jewelry, every painting, every antique I could, burned what was left, and ended up with just one suitcase.

On departure day, I was awake before dawn, quietly waiting for the research team's car to pull up.

Right before I left, my phone started buzzing. It was the same number that had been texting me before.

"Aria, the doctor says I'm having a boy. Ethan says he's going to make sure the baby and I get everything we deserve. A useless woman like you, who can't even give him an heir, should just leave the Grant family already!"

This time, I actually texted back, "Congrats. You're about to get exactly what you wished for."

The car pulled away.

As we passed Lanora Jewelry Studio, the sky suddenly opened up. Rain hammered the windows, smearing the world into gray.

Through the downpour, I caught sight of a row of familiar black cars outside the studio. That was where Ethan and I had bought our wedding rings six years ago.

The diamond ring he'd had custom-made was from a brand that claimed a man could buy only one in his entire life. He'd said it was his vow of loyalty.

Now Ethan walked out holding Sandy's hand, his other hand lifting the umbrella to keep the rain off her.

Sandy was in a white maternity dress, bright and impossible to miss in the rain. The huge pearl ring on her finger drew just as much attention.

A sudden gust tore through the sheet of rain.

Ethan glanced up and, by pure chance, his eyes found mine. Through the rain-streaked window, we locked eyes again in the spot that had once watched over our vows.

He froze, shock and raw panic flooding his eyes, his lips moving like he was calling out my name.

I looked away without a word, leaving the rain to wash away whatever was left between us.