Chapter 1

Ten minutes before the charity party began, I got a call from my secretary as I stood outside the hotel.

Her voice was low. My secretary said, "Ms. Hughes, someone's already taken your seat."

I figured the organizers had made a last-minute change, and I was about to ask when she went on. "And that couture gown you left in the brand's care? Ms. Grant is wearing it."

Outside the car window, the red carpet at the hotel entrance was still gleaming.

I gripped my phone, watching the guest list for tonight scrolling across the big screen at the entrance.

[Claire Hughes.]

Chairman of the Hughes Foundation.

Wife of Andrew Lane, Executive Director of Lane Holdings.

Tonight, every one of those identities should have belonged to me.

I pushed the car door open and stepped out, my dress fluttering in the breeze. The driver reached out to take my handbag, but I waved him off and carried it myself as I walked into the hotel.

At the entrance to the banquet hall, the media were still clustered around the sign-in wall. The organizer's face went pale for a split second when he saw me, then he hurried over.

"Ms. Hughes, you're here."

His voice was strained, like he was choking on something.

I shot him a look. "Did you move my seat?"

He broke out in a sweat. "Mr. Lane said you might not make it tonight, and he didn't want the main table to look empty, so he went ahead and..."

He cut himself off.

I didn't stop, walked around him, and went into the banquet hall.

The lights poured down from the ceiling, the crystal chandeliers so bright they hurt my eyes. The main table was right up front, close to the auction stage, dead center, with the best view in the house.

I spotted Sophia Grant right away.

She was sitting in my seat.

She was wearing the black-and-gold mermaid gown I'd had made three months earlier. The surface worked with hand embroidery, the shoulder line cut sharp and clean, and fastened at the collar with an emerald brooch.

That brooch was my mother's, and it rarely left the safe.

Sophia was turned toward someone, listening, and her fingers moved lightly over the brooch.

Her makeup was light, and the corners of her eyes were red at exactly the right level, as if she had come in out of a snowstorm and somebody had held an umbrella over her.

Andrew stood right beside her.

Someone approached with a glass, smiling. "Mrs. Lane, you look stunning tonight. That dress suits you perfectly."

Sophia glanced up at Andrew, offering no explanation.

Andrew stayed silent too.

He simply reached out and blocked the drink for her, his tone gentle. "She just got back to the country, and she's not great with alcohol. I'll take it for her."

Everyone around them burst out laughing.

"Mr. Lane, you're really protective tonight."

"That gown from the Hughes Foundation is definitely the highlight of the evening."

"Mrs. Lane, this is exactly where you belong. You'll be the one bidding at the auction later."

I stood at the edge of the light and listened to all of it, and the whole scene struck me as something new.

After four years of marriage, this was the first time I'd ever seen another woman step into my role as Mrs. Lane.

Even the dress seemed made for her.

My secretary stood behind me, her face grim. "Ms. Hughes, should I go talk to the organizers?"

I raised a hand and stopped her before she finished.

The host on stage was introducing the first auction item of the night, and the lights dimmed, leaving only the main table illuminated.

Sophia seemed to sense something and turned her head to look over.

When she saw me, her smile faded a bit. The next moment, she stood up, her fingers pressed to her chest, looking a little flustered.

"Claire, you're here."

She called out softly, and a few people nearby turned to look at me.

Andrew saw me too.

His face flickered for a moment, and he quickly walked over, blocking my way to the main table.

Andrew said, "Didn't you say your flight was delayed?"

I looked at him. "So you let her wear my couture gown?"

He frowned, lowering his voice. "We'll talk about this later. All the guests are here tonight. Don't embarrass us in front of everyone."

I turned to Sophia.

She was standing next to my seat with my auction paddle in her hand. The Hughes Foundation crest was printed on it, and the number was the seven I used every year.

Her fingers were wrapped so tightly around it, like she couldn't bear to let it go.

I took two steps forward.

Andrew reached out to stop me. "Claire."

I stared at his hand.

He paused for a split second, then pulled his hand back.

Everyone around the main table went quiet. A few of the executives shot each other looks, and the organizer stood off to the side, sweating bullets but too nervous to come over.

I walked right up to Sophia.

Her eyes were already welling up with tears. "Claire, I'm really sorry. I didn't realize you'd care. Andrew said you probably wouldn't make it back tonight, and it just seemed like such a waste to leave the dress and seat empty, so I just..."

I reached out, letting my fingertips linger on the dark gold embroidery at her shoulder.

"Do you have any idea what this dress cost?" I said, and my voice came out level.

Sophia froze.

She hadn't expected that to be my first question.

Andrew's face darkened. "Claire, it's just a dress."

I turned to him. "Are you going to pay for it?"

Andrew's frown deepened. "Do you really have to talk about money right now?"

I couldn't help but laugh.

He thought I was being too focused on money.