Lena had barely slept that night. Ethan's words lingered in her mind like a puzzle she couldn't quite solve. *I needed someone real.* The phrase echoed in her thoughts, stirring a strange mix of curiosity and something she couldn't name.
The next morning, she was back at the company building, a new resolve coursing through her. If she was going to keep up with Ethan's plan, she needed to understand the world he lived in and the man behind it. She would play the part of the perfect wife, yes, but on her terms.
As she entered the lobby, she spotted Andrew waiting near the elevator. He smiled, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Good morning, Lena," he said smoothly. "I see Ethan's already working you hard."
Lena forced a polite smile, resisting the urge to match his sarcasm. She knew Andrew's attention came with a price, and she couldn't afford to be careless around him. "Just doing my part," she replied lightly. "He has high expectations."
Andrew chuckled. "Of course he does. Ethan never settles for less than perfect." He stepped closer, lowering his voice. "But perfection has its costs, doesn't it? Sometimes, it means hiding things you'd rather keep secret."
Lena's stomach tightened. Andrew's words seemed innocent enough, but the look in his eyes told a different story. She managed a polite nod, then quickly excused herself and hurried toward Ethan's office.
As soon as she stepped in, Ethan looked up from his desk, a flicker of relief in his eyes. "Good. I've made some adjustments to today's schedule," he said, handing her a sheet of paper. "We'll be meeting a few of my investors tonight."
Lena scanned the schedule, noting the precise times and locations. She glanced up, catching a hint of tension in his expression. "What's going on, Ethan? Why do you seem… tense?"
Ethan paused, his gaze dropping momentarily before he answered. "Andrew's been… probing into my business dealings lately. I don't know what he's looking for, but I can't let him find any weaknesses."
Lena frowned, sensing there was more he wasn't saying. "Do you think he's trying to undermine you?"
Ethan's jaw clenched. "Maybe. He's always been competitive, but this feels different." He looked her in the eyes, his expression a mix of frustration and something more vulnerable. "Lena, tonight is important. These investors need to believe in us, in what we're building. I need you to be on your best game."
Lena nodded, feeling the weight of his request. "I'll be ready."
The evening arrived faster than she expected, and soon Lena found herself standing beside Ethan in a grand ballroom filled with influential figures. She kept her posture poised, the perfect picture of a supportive partner, yet her mind was sharp, analyzing the guests' expressions, their whispers, their glances toward Ethan. Each interaction revealed hints of admiration, envy, and something darker—doubt.
At one point, a tall, gray-haired man approached them, his smile polite but his eyes cold. "Ethan, Lena," he greeted, his gaze lingering on Lena for a moment longer than she liked. "It's good to see you both. Rumor has it that Rivers Corp is experiencing some… challenges?"
Ethan's face remained calm, but Lena could feel the subtle tension in his posture. "Every business has its ups and downs," he replied smoothly. "We're adapting and moving forward, as always."
The man gave a noncommittal nod, his gaze shifting to Lena. "And you, Mrs. Rivers. Are you ready for the demands that come with being a part of Ethan's world?"
Lena forced a warm smile. "I wouldn't be here if I wasn't prepared."
The man chuckled, a hint of skepticism in his eyes. "Well, I suppose time will tell." With that, he moved on, leaving a chill in his wake.
Once he was out of earshot, Ethan leaned close to her. "That was Marcus Pierce, one of my biggest investors. He's always looking for signs of weakness."
Lena glanced at him, seeing the strain in his gaze. "I'm starting to understand why you keep your guard up around people like him."
Ethan gave a faint smile. "In this world, you can't afford to show vulnerability."
But as the evening wore on, Lena began to see cracks in his armor. At one point, Ethan excused himself to make a call, leaving her alone at the bar. She sipped her drink, watching the crowd, when she noticed Andrew approaching.
"Quite the crowd Ethan's gathered, don't you think?" Andrew said, leaning against the bar beside her. "Though I wonder how long he'll be able to keep them loyal."
Lena's grip on her glass tightened. "Ethan's earned their respect. He knows what he's doing."
Andrew raised an eyebrow, his expression amused. "Does he? Or is he just putting on a good show?" He paused, lowering his voice. "You don't know him as well as you think, Lena. Ethan has a way of hiding things, even from those closest to him."
The words stung, but Lena forced herself to remain calm. "Maybe. But I think there's more to him than you realize, too."
Andrew chuckled, shaking his head. "Believe what you want. Just remember, in this game, trust is a luxury none of us can afford." With that, he walked away, leaving Lena with an unsettling feeling that twisted in her gut.
When Ethan returned, she could see the tension in his eyes had only deepened. "Are you all right?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
He hesitated, then nodded curtly. "Fine. Let's get back out there."
They moved through the room together, their conversations flowing easily, but there was an edge in Ethan's demeanor that hadn't been there before. Lena tried to brush it off, to focus on the part she was playing, but Andrew's words kept coming back to her. *You don't know him as well as you think.*
Later that night, as the last of the guests trickled out, Ethan turned to Lena, a guarded look in his eyes. "Thank you for tonight. You handled yourself well."
She nodded, searching his face. "Ethan… Can I ask you something?"
He tensed slightly but gave a nod. "Go ahead."
"Why did you agree to this arrangement in the first place? Not just the business aspect, but… this whole facade of a marriage."
He looked away, his jaw tightening. "It was a necessary move. Investors trust stability, and in their eyes, marriage represents that."
Lena frowned, feeling an ache in her chest at his cold reply. "But is that all it is to you? Just a strategy?"
Ethan's gaze softened slightly, but his expression remained distant. "Lena, you need to understand that in this world, emotions are a liability. If you start caring too much, you'll only end up getting hurt."
She held his gaze, searching for any sign of the man she had glimpsed earlier, the one who had shown vulnerability, even if just for a moment. "Maybe," she whispered. "But sometimes, caring is what makes us stronger."
Ethan looked at her, something unreadable flickering in his eyes. But before he could respond, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out, his face darkening as he read the screen.
"What is it?" Lena asked, her voice tinged with worry.
Ethan's expression hardened, his jaw clenched. "It's Andrew. He's threatening to expose a deal I made years ago, one that could ruin everything."
Lena's heart raced. "What does he want?"
Ethan's gaze turned steely, his voice barely above a whisper. "He wants me to step down, to hand over everything I've built." He looked at her, a hint of desperation in his eyes. "If he succeeds, it's all over."
Lena swallowed, feeling a surge of determination. She reached out, touching his arm. "Then we won't let him win. Whatever it takes, we'll fight this together."
Ethan looked at her, his eyes softening for the briefest of moments before hardening again. "I don't know if it's possible, Lena. Andrew knows things… things I've kept buried."
He glanced at the door, his voice heavy with resignation. "If he gets his way, this may be the last night I stand here."
The weight of his words hung in the air, suffocating, as Lena stared at him, realizing just how much he stood to lose. And for the first time, she saw just how vulnerable he truly was.