Chapter 1
The ballroom was filled with the sound of laughter and clinking glasses—Murray Johnson's and my engagement party was in full swing. I wore a custom white gown, and on my wrist rested the Johnson family heirloom—a stunning emerald bracelet worth millions.
"You look incredible tonight, Elizabeth," Murray whispered, his breath warm against my ear.
As I passed the VIP lounge, a familiar voice stopped me in my tracks.
"You promised me, Murray. You said we'd be together." It was Sylvia Wright, his assistant.
"Sylvia, just be patient a little longer," he whispered. "Elizabeth's situation is complicated. The moment those shares are mine, I'll end the marriage. Then we can be together."
"But Murray..." she whispered, tears in her voice, "I'm pregnant. Two months."
I turned and walked away, my whole body shaking.
Back in the glittering ballroom, Murray's charming smile made my skin crawl.
On our wedding night, he took my hand, his thumb brushing my knuckles. "Tonight is our night. Nothing else matters but you."
The words would have melted my heart before. Now, they just sounded hollow.
*****
The champagne tower glittered, catching the light as I moved through the room. I wore a custom white gown, and on my wrist rested the Johnson family heirloom—a stunning emerald bracelet worth millions.
All evening, guests had been showering me with compliments, telling me how lucky Murray Johnson was to have found a talented jewelry designer like me. Soon, I'd be Mrs. Johnson.
"You look incredible tonight, Elizabeth," Murray whispered, his breath warm against my ear. I felt my cheeks flush.
After five years together, we'd finally make it official tomorrow.
"I'll be right back," I said softly. "Just need to use the restroom."
"Let me come with you," he offered.
"No, it's fine—stay with everyone."
I lifted the hem of my dress and slipped away. But as I passed the VIP lounge, a familiar voice stopped me in my tracks.
"Murray, when this is over, we need to talk about us." It was Sylvia Wright, his assistant.
I froze just outside the door.
"Sylvia, not now. You know what tonight means," Murray replied, his voice low and tense.
"That's why I'm asking. You promised me, Murray. You said we'd be together," Sylvia pressed.
My heart pounded. I edged closer, peering through the narrow gap in the doorway.
There they were—Murray pressing Sylvia against the wall, his arms wrapped tightly around her.
"Sylvia, just be patient a little longer," he whispered. "Elizabeth's situation is complicated. Her father owns Sampson Jewelry. I can't just walk away."
"So you're actually going to marry her?" Sylvia's voice trembled.
"It's only on paper. You know you're the only one I want," Murray murmured, brushing his lips against her forehead. "The moment those shares are mine, I'll end it. Then we can be together."
My clutch felt tight in my grip, nails leaving half-moon marks on my palms.
I realized that our entire relationship had just been part of his plan.
"But Murray..." she whispered, tears in her voice, "I'm pregnant. Two months."
He stared at her in disbelief. "You're... what?"
"I can't keep waiting. Our baby deserves more than this."
The silence stretched between them before he finally drew her into his arms. "I'll make this right, Sylvia. You and our child will have everything."
I turned and walked away, my whole body shaking.
Back in the glittering ballroom, Murray's charming smile made my skin crawl.
"Elizabeth, you look pale. Are you feeling unwell?" he asked, all manufactured concern.
"Just tired," I managed, forcing my lips to curve.
"Then let's wrap things up as soon as possible," he said, all smooth concern.
*****
Murray drove me home after the engagement party, the city lights blurring past the window.
"Elizabeth, tomorrow we'll be legally married," he said, his face cast in thoughtful shadows beneath the streetlights, one hand steady on the wheel.
"I know," I murmured, my voice barely audible."
"You've been quiet all night. Is everything okay?"
"Just nervous," I lied.
His hand found mine. "Don't be. We're going to be so happy together."
The word "happy" tasted bitter. How could he talk about happiness when he was already having a child with someone else?
As soon as I got home, I fired up my laptop and started digging into Murray's recent movements.
As a jewelry designer, I moved in circles with wealthy clients who always knew everyone's business.
It didn't take long to connect the dots.
Three months ago, when Murray was in Mirand on business, Sylvia had conveniently been there for a jewelry exhibition.
Two months ago, there was a charge from an exclusive maternity hospital on his credit card statement.
Then last month, Sylvia took three days of sick leave.
The pieces fit together perfectly.
I walked to the safe, opened it, and took out the stock transfer agreement my father had given to me.
My father had promised me twenty percent of Sampson Jewelry as my wedding gift.
Now I understood that was the real prize Murray had been after all along.
A cold smile touched my lips as I locked the documents back in the safe.
If he wanted those shares so badly, I'd make sure the price was higher than he ever imagined.
*****
The next morning, I arrived at city hall right on schedule.
Murray stood waiting at the entrance, a bouquet of white roses in his hand.
"You look beautiful today, Elizabeth," he said, offering me the flowers.
I accepted them, my mind still lingering on everything I'd uncovered last night.
"Shall we go in?" I asked.
"Wait." His hand caught mine. "There's something I need to say."
For a moment, my heart leaped. Was he finally going to tell me the truth?
"I love you. You're the only woman for me. Nothing will ever change that," he said softly.
The words sounded so sincere. If only any of them were true.
"I love you too," I said, matching his tender tone.
The ceremony passed in a blur, and before long, we were holding our marriage certificates.
"My dear wife," Murray murmured, kissing my cheek.
"My dear husband," I replied with a perfect smile.
We stepped out into the morning light, and just then, his phone rang.
"What?" He sounded surprised. "Okay, I'll be right there." After he hung up, his expression looked apologetic. "There's an emergency at the office. I need to go handle it."
"It's okay. I understand," I said.
"How about I pick you up tonight and we go celebrate?" he offered.
"Sure," I agreed.
Instead of heading home after Murray left, I made my way straight to a private detective agency.
"Ms. Sampson, you want me to look into your husband?" Eric Wilson, the private detective, blinked in surprise.
"Yes, I think he's cheating on me," I replied.
"Do you have any proof?" Eric asked.
I passed him the file I'd put together last night. "Will this do?"
Eric looked through the documents carefully and then nodded. "This is plenty. We'll get right on it and collect all the evidence you need."
"How long will it take?" I asked.
"About a week," Eric replied.
"You've got just three days," I said, pushing a check across the desk. "Here's the deposit. When the job's done, you'll get another check for the same amount."
Eric's eyes lit up at the figure written on the check. "You have my word, Ms. Sampson. Three days, and you'll have exactly what you want."