Chapter 1: The Silent Agreement
Ethan Caldwell sat at the head of the long, polished conference table, his piercing gray eyes scanning the room. As the CEO of Caldwell Enterprises, he was known for his sharp decision-making and unwavering discipline. Employees whispered about his cold demeanor, his refusal to mix emotions with business. What they didn't know—what no one knew—was that the woman sitting across from him, the company's brilliant Marketing Director, was his wife.
Sophia Caldwell—though she went by her maiden name, Sophia Grant—kept her expression neutral, her hands folded neatly on the table. She listened intently as the team discussed the upcoming product launch, nodding at the right moments, asking insightful questions. To everyone else, she was just another high-ranking executive, respected for her creativity and leadership. To Ethan, she was the woman he shared a home with, the one who knew him beyond the suits and strategies.
They had agreed from the start: no one in the company could know about their marriage. Not because they were ashamed, but because they wanted to be judged solely on their abilities. Ethan didn't want whispers about favoritism, and Sophia didn't want her successes overshadowed by her husband's influence.
As the meeting progressed, Ethan stole a quick glance at Sophia. She looked effortlessly professional in her navy-blue blazer, her dark curls pulled into a sleek bun. Her eyes flicked to his for the briefest moment, a silent exchange only they understood. No one in the room noticed. They never did.
"That concludes today's meeting," Ethan finally announced. "Sophia, a word in my office."
A few colleagues exchanged knowing smirks—thinking it was just another one of Ethan's notoriously intense discussions. They had no idea that behind the closed doors of his office, the CEO would let down his guard, and the woman he just called in for a 'meeting' was the same woman he would hold in his arms every night.
As Sophia followed him out, she hid her smile. No one had figured it out yet. And she intended to keep it that way.
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To be continued…