Chapter 1

Edward Rivers had advanced-stage cancer.

When his mistress came looking for me, I was happily tallying up the inheritance he would leave behind.

She stared at me in shock. "He's dead?"

I told her the truth. "He's about to be."

Seeing the sadness flash across her face, I sighed, forcing myself to part with a portion of what was mine. "I'll give you two of his properties, but promise me you won't tell him."

"Deal."

*****

Edward Rivers hadn't come home in three days. That wasn't exactly shocking to me—but his stunning secretary showing up at my door was.

Chloe Summers stood there holding a stack of documents that apparently needed his signature. When she heard he wasn't home, her expression instantly fell.

I could tell delivering the papers wasn't her real purpose. She was clearly here for Edward.

I was just about to shut the door when she stopped me. "Mrs. Rivers, do you know where Mr. Rivers is right now?"

"No idea," I replied.

Probably tangled up in some mistress's sheets again—how could I possibly guess which one this time?

My calm answer seemed to throw her off. She bit her lip before speaking again. "Mr. Rivers has been seen spending time with a rising young actress lately. There've been some rumors. It could hurt the company's image. I was hoping you might talk with him."

Talk with him?

I almost laughed, "Even if I did, he wouldn't come running back to you. You know his type—none of his flings last more than three months."

Her face drained of color. She waved her hands quickly. "No, that's not it, Mrs. Rivers, you've misunderstood. There's nothing between us—"

I gave her shoulder a sympathetic pat. "No need to explain. It's not easy for you, either. I get it."

Among all of Edward's women, Chloe was probably the most special case.

Of all people to seduce, he had to pick the daughter of a local business tycoon.

Her father had entrusted Edward to mentor his daughter, to help her gain experience.

And Edward, ever the gentleman, decided the best training could be done in bed.

Now Chloe was still stuck working as his secretary—seeing him every single day. Even I felt secondhand embarrassment for them both.

Chloe kept fumbling through her excuses, her voice trembling, eyes glistening.

Imagine that—a mistress needing comfort from the wife. "It's all right," I told her softly. "When he sweet-talked you, he probably said he was single, didn't he? It's not your fault. He's got enough charm to fool anyone."

Chloe's eyes widened. "I thought you'd slap me, pull my hair, scream that I'm shameless, and order me to stay away from him."

"You should stop watching so many soap operas." I rolled my eyes.

After seeing Chloe out, I casually flipped through the company papers she'd left behind—and stumbled upon Edward's medical report.

Page after page listed one issue after another—kidney deficiency, liver cirrhosis, gastric ulcers, and so on.

He looked like he was about to die. It was wonderful.

Wait—

He really might be about to die.

One line stood out in bold: [Possible cancer in the intestines. Urgent hospital visit needed—get checked, start treatment, pronto.]

To confirm if the report was real, I decided to have Edward redo the tests.

But the moment I sent him a message, he replied instantly: [What?]

Edward: [Just did a physical. No need for another one.]

Damn, I totally slipped my mind.

While I was racking my brain for a way to persuade him, a news alert popped up on my phone: [Edward Rivers Throws Lavish Yacht Party for Girlfriend's Birthday—One-Week Celebration at Sea.]

So that was where he'd been hiding—sailing away with his new toy.

A moment later, another message from him appeared. [What's going on?]

Staring at the photo of him and his girlfriend smiling on deck, I typed without thinking: [It's nothing. I just want a baby.]

Then I added: [Your report says you have kidney problems. I'm worried you might not perform.]

Men really couldn't stand being told they were not up to it. Edward fired back instantly: [That doctor's just an idiot.]

Edward: [When's the checkup, and where do I go?]

I sent him the clinic's address. I almost asked if he was still on the yacht and if he could make it back in time tomorrow.

But in the end, I said nothing.