《Double Life Of A Billionaire Wife》 Chapter 1 The morning sunlight poured through the wide windows of their San Francisco apartment, bathing the room in warmth. Lila Harper-Pierce hummed softly as she carefully folded the last piece of tissue paper over a box. On the dining table in front of her lay a collection of carefully chosen gifts: a vintage leather briefcase, a gleaming Patek Philippe watch, and diamond-encrusted cufflinks. Each item symbolized a part of Rowan¡ªa man she had loved fiercely for three years, a man she hoped would understand her truth. Today was their wedding anniversary, and Lila had decided it was time to come clean. She had built her life with Rowan on love, trust, and shared dreams, but one thing she had never told him was the full truth about who she was. Lila Harper wasn¡¯t just a freelance graphic designer with modest clients; she was the only daughter of the Harper family, heirs to a multibillion-dollar real estate empire. She had walked away from it all to live her life on her terms, and until now, she had been content with her choice. But secrets, she had learned, had weight. Tonight, she would lay it all on the table. She could already picture his face when she handed him the watch, then gently explained that her means had never been modest¡ªand neither had her family. After finishing the wrapping, Lila glanced at the clock. There was still time to get ready before Rowan came home. She showered, dressed in a deep blue dress that hugged her figure just enough to feel elegant, and brushed her hair until it gleamed. The door unlocked just as she finished arranging the gifts on the table. Rowan stepped in, his tie slightly askew, his shoulders slumped in the way they always did after a long day. His sandy blond hair was mussed, his face shadowed with faint stubble. ¡°Happy anniversary!¡± Lila greeted him, her voice light and filled with anticipation. He glanced at her, a flicker of something unrecognizable in his hazel eyes, then dropped his keys on the counter. ¡°Hey,¡± he said, his tone flat. The shift in his mood startled her. ¡°Long day?¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± he muttered, but his gaze had already fallen on the table. His brow furrowed, and he stepped closer, his hand brushing over the gift boxes. ¡°What¡¯s all this?¡±The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. ¡°They¡¯re for you,¡± she said softly, her nerves bubbling to the surface. ¡°I wanted to make tonight special.¡± Rowan picked up the smallest box, his thumb running over the edges of the intricate wrapping. ¡°Special, huh?¡± His tone was clipped, cold. ¡°Yes,¡± she said, taking a step closer. ¡°I thought you¡¯d like¡ª¡± ¡°How much did this cost, Lila?¡± His question sliced through the air, his voice louder than she expected. She blinked, confused. ¡°What?¡± ¡°This watch.¡± He pulled open the box, his fingers trembling slightly as he revealed the glittering timepiece. His jaw clenched as he looked at her. ¡°And this briefcase. And whatever else is in these boxes. How much did you spend on this?¡± ¡°I¡ªRowan, I wanted¡ª¡± ¡°How can you even afford this?¡± His voice was rising now, his frustration palpable. He set the box down with a sharp clatter. ¡°These aren¡¯t things people buy on a freelance salary, Lila. Do you think I¡¯m an idiot?¡± Her stomach dropped. ¡°Rowan, I can explain. Just listen¡ª¡± ¡°No, you listen.¡± He stepped toward her, his anger radiating off him. ¡°You¡¯ve been acting weird for weeks¡ªdisappearing, buying things like this. Where is the money coming from, Lila? Are you¡­ are you sleeping with someone?¡± ¡°What?¡± She stared at him, horrified. ¡°Is that it? Is there some rich sugar daddy you¡¯ve been seeing? Because I can¡¯t think of any other explanation for this.¡± The accusation hit her like a slap. ¡°How could you even say that?¡± Her voice cracked, tears pricking her eyes. ¡°How else am I supposed to explain it?¡± he demanded, his voice louder than ever. ¡°What am I supposed to think, Lila?¡± She turned away, trying to steady her breathing. She needed to get control of this situation before it spiraled further. ¡°Rowan, please. Just listen to me. I wanted to¡ª¡± When she moved to walk past him, his hand shot out, grabbing her arm. The force of it made her stumble, and she fell to the floor, her hands catching the edge of the table on the way down. There was a long, heavy silence. Rowan stared down at her, his chest heaving, his face flushed with anger. Lila stayed on the ground, staring up at him, her breath shallow. Her arm throbbed where he had grabbed her, but the ache in her chest was far worse. ¡°You¡¯re a liar,¡± he said, his voice low and venomous. ¡°And a slut.¡± She flinched at the word, her tears finally spilling over. He turned and stormed into the bedroom, slamming the door behind him. For a long time, Lila didn¡¯t move. Her body trembled as the weight of his words sank in. Slowly, she pulled herself to her feet and began gathering the gifts, placing them back in their boxes with shaking hands. The apartment was eerily quiet except for the sound of her own soft sobs. She carried the boxes to the bedroom and placed them on the chair in the corner, far away from the bed. Then she sat on the edge of the mattress, staring at her reflection in the mirror across the room. Her makeup was smeared, her hair disheveled, but it was the look in her eyes that made her throat tighten. She had hoped tonight would be the beginning of something new, something honest. Instead, it had crumbled into something she didn¡¯t recognize. ¡°It was supposed to be a celebration,¡± she whispered, her voice barely audible. Rowan¡¯s even breathing reached her ears. He had fallen asleep, leaving her alone with the wreckage of the night. For the first time in three years, Lila wondered if she had made a mistake marrying the man she had given everything to. Chapter 2 Lila woke to an empty bed. The space where Rowan usually lay was cold, the sheets barely disturbed. Her heart sank as she turned her head and spotted the note he¡¯d left on the nightstand. ¡°Early meeting. Late night. Don¡¯t wait up.¡± It wasn¡¯t much, but the bluntness of his words stung. She folded the note neatly, setting it aside as she slid out of bed. Her legs felt heavy as she made her way to the kitchen, her eyes falling on the dining table. The gifts she had so carefully chosen for him still sat there, untouched, their glossy wrapping paper mocking her. She pressed her hands against the counter, gripping the edge tightly. Last night¡¯s accusations replayed in her mind, each word cutting deeper than the last. The memory of him calling her a liar, of his hand grabbing her arm, of the venom in his voice¡­ it all left her chest aching. For the first time, anger began to bubble under the surface of her heartbreak. --- At his office, Rowan leaned over his drafting table, glaring at the sketches in front of him without seeing them. The normally soothing routine of his work offered no solace. His mind was too loud, looping back to the confrontation with Lila. He clenched his fist, pushing his chair back sharply. A part of him felt guilty¡ªhe hadn¡¯t meant for things to get so heated. But the image of those extravagant gifts kept resurfacing. How could she afford them? The doubt gnawed at him, making it impossible to think clearly. ¡°Hey, you good?¡± Rowan looked up to see Grant, his closest friend and business partner, standing in the doorway. Grant was holding a coffee cup, his brow furrowed with concern. ¡°Fine,¡± Rowan muttered, sitting straighter. ¡°Yeah, sure you are,¡± Grant said, stepping inside and shutting the door behind him. ¡°You¡¯ve been snapping at everyone all morning. What¡¯s going on?¡± Rowan hesitated. He didn¡¯t want to drag their personal life into the office, but he needed to vent. ¡°It¡¯s Lila,¡± he admitted finally. ¡°I think¡­ I think she¡¯s lying to me.¡± Grant raised an eyebrow, leaning against the edge of the desk. ¡°About what?¡±Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. ¡°Money,¡± Rowan said, his voice tight. ¡°She¡¯s been buying these insanely expensive things. Gifts I know she can¡¯t afford. And¡­ I think she might be getting the money from someone else.¡± ¡°Like who?¡± Rowan hesitated, his jaw tightening. ¡°I don¡¯t know. Someone rich. Maybe¡­ I don¡¯t know.¡± Grant stared at him for a moment before sighing. ¡°Look, man, I don¡¯t know Lila that well, but from everything you¡¯ve ever said about her, she doesn¡¯t strike me as the cheating type. Maybe there¡¯s a good explanation.¡± Rowan shook his head, frustration simmering beneath the surface. ¡°If there¡¯s a good explanation, why won¡¯t she just tell me?¡± ¡°Maybe she¡¯s scared,¡± Grant suggested. ¡°Or maybe you¡¯re jumping to conclusions because you¡¯re insecure about¡­ well, a lot of things.¡± Rowan scowled, pushing back from the desk. ¡°I¡¯m not insecure.¡± Grant shrugged, holding his hands up in surrender. ¡°Alright. But if you want to blow up your marriage over assumptions, that¡¯s your call.¡± --- Later that day, Lila sat on the sofa, her phone buzzing in her lap. The screen lit up with a familiar name: Victoria Harper. She hesitated before answering, her mother¡¯s clipped voice immediately filling her ear. ¡°Lila, I just got off the phone with James. He mentioned you¡¯ve been having trouble with your husband.¡± Lila sighed, leaning back into the cushions. ¡°Of course he did. Is there anything my father doesn¡¯t share with you?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be flippant, Lila. I warned you about this years ago. A man like Rowan Pierce was never going to understand your world. He¡¯s¡­ limited.¡± Lila¡¯s grip on the phone tightened. ¡°He¡¯s not limited. He¡¯s hardworking, loyal, and everything you could never understand.¡± Victoria scoffed. ¡°Loyal? Is that why you¡¯re calling me in tears because he doesn¡¯t trust you? Face it, darling. You made a mistake marrying beneath you. Come home. We¡¯ll sort this out. You belong here, not playing house with someone who resents you.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not leaving him,¡± Lila snapped. ¡°Suit yourself,¡± Victoria said coolly. ¡°But remember, when he turns on you completely, you¡¯ll only have yourself to blame.¡± The call ended, leaving Lila staring at the blank screen. --- Rowan came home late again. The apartment was quiet, the table cleared. Lila sat on the sofa, her knees tucked beneath her. ¡°Hey,¡± she said softly as he walked through the door. ¡°Hey,¡± he replied, his tone guarded. He dropped his keys onto the counter and avoided her gaze as he slipped off his shoes. ¡°Can we talk?¡± she asked, standing. He paused, then shrugged. ¡°Sure.¡± She took a deep breath, stepping closer. ¡°I know you¡¯re upset. I know I¡¯ve been distant, and I know you don¡¯t understand everything. But I need you to trust me.¡± ¡°Trust you?¡± Rowan let out a bitter laugh. ¡°How am I supposed to trust you when you can¡¯t even be honest with me?¡± ¡°That¡¯s not fair,¡± she said, her voice trembling. ¡°I wanted to tell you. I was going to tell you. Last night was supposed to be¡ª¡± ¡°Was supposed to be what? Another performance? Another lie?¡± Her patience snapped. ¡°You¡¯re the one who¡¯s lying to yourself, Rowan. You¡¯ve convinced yourself I¡¯m some villain because it¡¯s easier than admitting you¡¯re insecure about where we stand.¡± Rowan¡¯s face hardened. ¡°If that¡¯s how you feel, maybe I shouldn¡¯t be here.¡± He grabbed his coat and stormed out, slamming the door behind him. --- Later that night, Rowan saw her. Lila, stepping out of a black car in front of an upscale restaurant. She was wearing a sleek black dress, her hair cascading down her back as she walked inside to meet her father. He followed. Inside, he spotted her at a private table, sitting across from a distinguished older man. The man leaned forward, smiling as he spoke, and Lila¡¯s expression softened in a way that made Rowan¡¯s stomach churn. He turned and walked out, the image seared into his mind. Back at the apartment, Rowan waited. When Lila walked in, her eyes widened at the sight of him. ¡°Who is he?¡± Rowan asked, his voice low and cold. ¡°What?¡± ¡°The man at the restaurant,¡± he said. ¡°Who is he? Your lover? Your sugar daddy?¡± Her face paled. Rowan stepped closer. ¡°I followed you, Lila. So don¡¯t you dare lie to me again.¡± Her lips parted, but no words came out. The silence between them was deafening. Chapter 3 Lila stood frozen in the doorway, her hand still clutching the strap of her purse. Rowan¡¯s words hung in the air, each one sharp enough to draw blood. ¡°I saw you,¡± he said again, stepping closer. His hazel eyes burned with accusation, his jaw tight. ¡°At the restaurant. Sitting there with some rich guy. Laughing with him. You didn¡¯t even try to hide it.¡± Her pulse quickened, and for a moment, she couldn¡¯t find her voice. ¡°You followed me?¡± she finally asked, her tone sharp with disbelief. ¡°What else was I supposed to do?¡± Rowan shot back. ¡°You¡¯ve been lying to me for weeks¡ªmonths, maybe. I couldn¡¯t just sit here and wait for you to come home with more lies.¡± Lila dropped her purse onto the floor, the leather thudding softly against the hardwood. ¡°That man wasn¡¯t¡ª¡± She stopped herself, catching the words before they could slip out. If she told him it was her father, the truth would unravel far too quickly. ¡°That man wasn¡¯t what?¡± Rowan pressed, his voice rising. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me he¡¯s just a friend, Lila. Don¡¯t insult me.¡± ¡°He¡¯s not my lover,¡± she snapped, her own anger flaring now. ¡°You have to stop jumping to the worst possible conclusions.¡± ¡°Then explain it!¡± Rowan shouted. ¡°Explain the gifts, the money, the restaurant, all of it! Because from where I¡¯m standing, nothing about you makes sense anymore.¡± Lila¡¯s heart pounded in her chest, her throat tightening as tears threatened to spill. She had been so close to telling him the truth last night, and now the distance between them felt insurmountable. ¡°You don¡¯t trust me,¡± she said softly, her voice trembling. ¡°You¡¯ve already decided what you believe, and nothing I say is going to change that.¡± Rowan scoffed, running a hand through his hair. ¡°What do you expect me to believe, Lila? You keep disappearing, you show up with thousands of dollars¡¯ worth of gifts, and now I catch you with some guy in a five-star restaurant. What am I supposed to think?¡± She took a step back, her shoulders slumping. ¡°You¡¯re supposed to think the best of me,¡± she said, her voice barely above a whisper. ¡°You¡¯re supposed to know who I am.¡± Rowan laughed bitterly. ¡°Who you are? I don¡¯t even know who you are anymore.¡± The words hit her like a punch to the gut. For a long moment, they stood in silence, the weight of the conversation pressing down on them both. Finally, Lila took a deep breath, steadying herself. ¡°I can¡¯t do this right now,¡± she said, her voice firmer than before. She turned and headed for the bedroom, shutting the door behind her before Rowan could say another word.Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon. --- The next morning, Lila sat on the edge of the bed, staring at her phone. Her father¡¯s name flashed on the screen, accompanied by a text: ¡°Call me. We need to talk.¡± She set the phone down without replying, her mind racing. Her dinner with James Harper the night before had been tense but predictable. He had been trying to convince her to return to the family, to embrace the life she had walked away from. And as always, she had refused. But Rowan¡¯s reaction to seeing them together had shaken her. If he could jump to such cruel conclusions so easily, how would he react to the truth? A knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts. Rowan stood in the doorway, his expression guarded. ¡°Can we talk?¡± he asked, his tone softer than the night before. She hesitated, then nodded. ¡°Okay.¡± They sat across from each other in the living room, the tension between them palpable. ¡°I need to know the truth, Lila,¡± Rowan said, his voice low. ¡°I can¡¯t keep doing this¡ªthis guessing game, this¡­ spiral. If there¡¯s something you¡¯re hiding, just tell me.¡± She looked at him, her chest aching at the vulnerability in his eyes. She wanted to tell him everything, to take away his doubt and confusion. But she couldn¡¯t¡ªnot yet. ¡°There are things I can¡¯t tell you,¡± she said carefully. ¡°Not because I don¡¯t trust you, but because it¡¯s not the right time. You have to believe me when I say that I¡¯m not cheating on you, and I never would.¡± Rowan¡¯s jaw tightened, and he looked away, his hands clenched into fists. ¡°How am I supposed to trust you when you¡¯re keeping secrets?¡± Lila felt a flicker of frustration. ¡°Everyone has secrets, Rowan. That doesn¡¯t make them a liar.¡± He stood abruptly, pacing the room. ¡°But this isn¡¯t just a small secret, Lila. This is¡­ I don¡¯t even know what this is. It feels like you¡¯re living a double life.¡± Her stomach twisted. In a way, he wasn¡¯t wrong. ¡°I love you,¡± she said, her voice trembling. ¡°Isn¡¯t that enough?¡± He stopped pacing and turned to face her. ¡°It used to be,¡± he said quietly. ¡°But now? I don¡¯t know.¡± The silence that followed was suffocating. --- That afternoon, Rowan left the apartment without saying where he was going. Lila watched him go, her heart heavy with the knowledge that their marriage was hanging by a thread. As she sat alone in the quiet apartment, her phone buzzed again. This time, the message was from her mother: ¡°Your husband doesn¡¯t deserve you. Come home.¡± Lila clenched her jaw and deleted the message. She wasn¡¯t going back to the Harper estate, not now, and not ever. But as she stared at the blank screen, a terrible thought crept into her mind. What if Rowan never forgave her? Late that night, Rowan returned home. His expression was unreadable, but there was a heaviness in his posture that made Lila¡¯s stomach drop. He set his keys on the counter and stood in the doorway to the living room, his gaze fixed on her. ¡°We need to talk,¡± he said, his voice cold and resolute. Lila¡¯s heart pounded as she sat up straighter, clutching the hem of her sweater. ¡°Rowan¡­¡± He held up a hand, stopping her before she could say anything more. ¡°This isn¡¯t working.¡± Her breath caught. ¡°What do you mean?¡± He exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. ¡°I can¡¯t do this anymore. The lies, the secrets, the constant doubt¡ªit¡¯s killing me, Lila. And if I¡¯m being honest, I don¡¯t think I can trust you again.¡± Her chest tightened, her voice trembling. ¡°Rowan, please don¡¯t say that. We can work through this. I love you.¡± His expression didn¡¯t soften. If anything, her words seemed to harden his resolve. ¡°Love isn¡¯t enough. Not when I don¡¯t even know who you really are.¡± She stood, stepping toward him, desperation clawing at her. ¡°Rowan, please. You can¡¯t just give up on us.¡± He stepped back, shaking his head. ¡°I¡¯m not giving up. I¡¯m protecting myself. I¡¯m protecting us from dragging this out longer than we should.¡± He paused, his voice dropping lower. ¡°I think we need a divorce.¡± The word hung in the air like a death sentence. Lila stared at him, her mind struggling to process what he had just said. ¡°No,¡± she whispered, shaking her head. ¡°You don¡¯t mean that.¡± ¡°I do,¡± he said firmly, though his voice cracked just slightly. ¡°I can¡¯t live like this, Lila. And I don¡¯t think you can either.¡± Tears streamed down her cheeks as she reached for him, but he stepped away, his hands clenching into fists. ¡°Rowan, don¡¯t do this. Please.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± he said, his voice barely audible. Without another word, he turned and walked into the bedroom, closing the door behind him. Lila sank back onto the sofa, her body trembling as sobs wracked her chest. She buried her face in her hands, the weight of his words crushing her. Divorce. The one thing she had never thought possible was now staring her in the face. And for the first time, she didn¡¯t know if she could fix what had been broken. Chapter 4 Lila woke to the sound of voices in the living room, sharp and accusatory. Her heart sank as she recognized one of them: Elaine Pierce, Rowan¡¯s mother. Memories of the night before, of Rowan¡¯s icy demeanor and cutting words, surfaced, making her chest tighten. Pulling on a sweater, Lila stepped into the living room. She froze at the sight in front of her. Elaine stood near the center of the room, her posture rigid, her face set in a disapproving scowl. Beside her was Serena Hayes, Rowan¡¯s ex-girlfriend and the woman Elaine had always wanted for her son. Serena was stunning as ever, dressed in a tailored jumpsuit that hugged her athletic figure. Her perfectly styled hair and confident smile were designed to make an impression, and they did. ¡°Well, look who finally decided to grace us with her presence,¡± Elaine said, her tone dripping with disdain. ¡°Good morning, Lila. Or should I say, good-bye?¡± Serena stood silently, but the faint smirk on her lips spoke volumes. ¡°What is this?¡± Lila asked, her voice steady despite the nervous knot forming in her stomach. Elaine folded her arms across her chest. ¡°This is me protecting my son. You¡¯ve done enough damage to him. It¡¯s time you packed your things and left.¡± Lila¡¯s eyes flicked to Rowan, who was leaning against the kitchen counter, his arms crossed. He looked tired, his expression unreadable. ¡°Rowan,¡± she said softly, pleading for him to intervene. He didn¡¯t move. ¡°Just let her finish, Lila.¡± Elaine¡¯s lips curled into a satisfied smile. ¡°Thank you, dear,¡± she said to Rowan before turning back to Lila. ¡°You¡¯ve been lying to my son for years, haven¡¯t you? Showing up with expensive gifts, disappearing for hours. What are we supposed to think? That you¡¯re just misunderstood?¡± ¡°That¡¯s exactly what you¡¯re supposed to think,¡± Lila snapped. ¡°Because I¡¯ve done nothing to deserve this kind of treatment.¡± Elaine let out a sharp laugh. ¡°Oh, please. The only thing you deserve is a swift exit from this family. Someone like Serena¡ª¡± She gestured toward the woman beside her. ¡°¡ªis the kind of partner Rowan needs. Honest, respectable, someone who won¡¯t make him a laughingstock.¡±Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions. Serena finally spoke, her voice soft but calculated. ¡°I¡¯m just here to support Rowan, Lila. I¡¯ve always wanted what¡¯s best for him.¡± Lila¡¯s fists clenched. ¡°You¡¯ve got some nerve showing up here, pretending like this is your business.¡± ¡°It is my business,¡± Serena said, her smile widening. ¡°I was his fianc¨¦e before you came along. I could¡¯ve been his wife if you hadn¡¯t¡­¡± ¡°Enough!¡± Rowan¡¯s voice cut through the room, startling them all. He stepped forward, glaring at both women. ¡°This isn¡¯t about you, Serena, and it¡¯s not about you, Mom. This is between me and Lila.¡± Elaine rolled her eyes. ¡°Oh, Rowan, stop trying to be noble. You know she doesn¡¯t belong here.¡± Rowan¡¯s jaw tightened. ¡°Maybe she doesn¡¯t,¡± he said quietly, his words like a knife to Lila¡¯s chest. --- Lila packed her things in silence, her hands trembling as she folded her clothes into a suitcase. She couldn¡¯t cry anymore; her tears had dried up somewhere between Elaine¡¯s cruelty and Rowan¡¯s indifference. A knock at the door startled her. Rowan entered, a checkbook in hand. ¡°What now?¡± she asked, her voice tired. ¡°I don¡¯t want you thinking I owe you anything,¡± he said flatly. He scribbled onto the check and tore it out, holding it toward her. ¡°This is two times every penny I¡¯ve ever spent on you since the day we met. Take it.¡± Lila stared at the check, the blood rushing to her ears. She didn¡¯t take it. Instead, she reached for the envelope she had tucked into her suitcase. ¡°You don¡¯t need to give me anything,¡± she said, handing the envelope to him. ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± Rowan asked, frowning as he opened it. ¡°Everything I¡¯ve saved for you since the day we got married,¡± she said, her voice trembling. ¡°Every birthday gift, every dinner you paid for, every expense. I put it into investments with my brother¡¯s help. I doubled it, Rowan. Because I wanted you to have a safety net, in case your business ever hit a rough patch. That¡¯s how much I believed in you.¡± Rowan froze, the weight of her words sinking in as he pulled out a stack of financial documents from the envelope. ¡°I didn¡¯t need your money then and I don''t need it now,¡± Lila continued, her voice cracking. ¡°I just needed your trust. But I guess that was asking too much.¡± Rowan looked up at her, his expression unreadable. But it was too late. She pulled out her phone and made a single call. --- Twenty minutes later, the low rumble of engines filled the air. Elaine and Serena stared, dumbfounded, as a fleet of black SUVs arrived in front of the apartment building. Private security guards stepped out, moving with quiet efficiency as they began loading Lila¡¯s bags into the vehicles. Elaine¡¯s mouth fell open. ¡°What¡­ What is this?¡± Lila didn¡¯t answer. She simply walked to the door, her head held high, her steps steady. She stopped in front of Rowan, her eyes meeting his for what felt like the last time. ¡°I loved you,¡± she said quietly. ¡°I still do. But love without trust isn¡¯t enough. I hope one day you realize what you lost.¡± For a moment, Rowan looked like he might say something, but the words never came. Lila turned and walked out, the door clicking shut behind her. --- When Lila arrived at the Harper estate, her father was waiting at the grand entrance. He opened his arms, and she stepped into his embrace, her resolve breaking as tears spilled down her cheeks. ¡°You¡¯re home,¡± James Harper said softly. ¡°You¡¯re safe now.¡± But as Lila stepped inside, the weight of what she had lost remained heavy on her shoulders. --- Rowan sat in the empty apartment, staring at the stack of documents she had left behind. The reality of what she had done¡ªthe sacrifices she had made for him¡ªhit him like a freight train. He reached for the torn check on the table, his hands trembling. For the first time, doubt crept into his mind, followed by guilt so sharp it left him breathless. And for the first time, Rowan Pierce wondered if he had just made the biggest mistake of his life. Chapter 5 The Harper estate was as imposing as ever, with its grand marble pillars and sweeping driveway. Lila sat in the quiet of her father¡¯s study, the dark oak furniture and soft hum of the clock on the wall amplifying the tension in the air. Across from her, James Harper regarded her with the same piercing gaze he always used when he wanted to push her into a decision. ¡°You should attend the charity gala tomorrow evening,¡± he said finally, his tone leaving little room for argument. Lila crossed her arms, leaning back in the plush leather chair. ¡°I¡¯m not sure that¡¯s a good idea,¡± she replied evenly. ¡°It¡¯s been years since I¡¯ve been to one of these events, and honestly, I don¡¯t see the point.¡± James sighed, removing his glasses and setting them on his desk. ¡°The point, Lila, is to remind people that you¡¯re still a part of this family. The Harper name carries weight, and while you¡¯ve chosen to live your¡­ simpler life, people talk. It wouldn¡¯t hurt to remind them of who you are.¡± She stiffened, her father¡¯s words cutting deeper than she wanted to admit. ¡°Who I am?¡± she repeated. ¡°You mean a Harper heiress?¡± James didn¡¯t answer right away, his expression softening slightly. ¡°I know things have been hard for you lately. I¡¯m not saying this to punish you, Lila. I just think it¡¯s time you stop hiding.¡± ¡°Hiding?¡± Her voice rose slightly, frustration bubbling to the surface. ¡°I wasn¡¯t hiding, Dad. I was building a life that wasn¡¯t dictated by the Harper name, one that I wanted.¡± ¡°And look where that¡¯s gotten you,¡± a sharper voice cut in. Lila turned to see her mother, Victoria Harper, sweeping into the room. Clad in a perfectly tailored dress, she was the picture of composure and authority. ¡°Victoria,¡± James said in warning, but she ignored him. ¡°Lila, your little experiment in living a normal life has clearly backfired,¡± Victoria continued, her tone clipped. ¡°You¡¯re back here, aren¡¯t you? That should tell you everything you need to know.¡± Lila¡¯s jaw clenched. ¡°I came back because I needed space. Not to rejoin the circus.¡± If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. Victoria smirked, her perfectly manicured hand resting on the edge of the desk. ¡°Call it what you will, darling, but you can¡¯t run forever. The gala is tomorrow, and you will be there. Nathan will escort you. It¡¯s non-negotiable.¡± Lila opened her mouth to argue, but Nathan¡¯s voice came from the doorway, calm and steady. ¡°She doesn¡¯t need to be forced into this, Mom.¡± Her older brother stepped inside, his broad shoulders and confident stride commanding attention. He shot Lila a sympathetic look before turning his focus to their parents. ¡°I¡¯ll go with her,¡± Nathan said. ¡°If she wants to leave early, we¡¯ll leave early. But this is her decision.¡± Victoria looked less than pleased, but James nodded, his tone final. ¡°That settles it. Lila, you¡¯ll go. It¡¯s time to remind people of your place in the world.¡± Lila bit back a retort, feeling cornered. She glanced at Nathan, who gave her a small, reassuring nod. She sighed, resigning herself to the inevitable. ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll go. But only for a few hours.¡± --- The next evening, Lila stood in front of the floor-length mirror in her suite, smoothing her hands over the sleek black gown she had chosen. The fabric clung to her frame elegantly, the understated design a deliberate choice to avoid drawing too much attention. Her hair fell in soft waves around her shoulders, and her makeup was minimal, accentuating her natural beauty. Nathan appeared in the doorway, adjusting the cufflinks on his tailored suit. ¡°You look amazing,¡± he said with a small smile. ¡°Thanks,¡± Lila murmured, her nerves bubbling under the surface. He stepped closer, his voice lowering. ¡°Are you sure you¡¯re ready for this? We don¡¯t have to stay long. Just make an appearance, talk to a few people, and we¡¯re out.¡± She met his gaze in the mirror, grateful for his support. ¡°I¡¯ll be fine,¡± she said, though she wasn¡¯t sure she believed it. Nathan nodded and offered his arm. ¡°Let¡¯s get this over with, then.¡± Lila took a deep breath and looped her arm through his, bracing herself for the night ahead. --- When they arrived at the gala, the opulence of the event was almost overwhelming. The grand ballroom was bathed in golden light, the glittering chandeliers casting a warm glow over the sea of designer gowns and tailored tuxedos. As Lila and Nathan stepped onto the red carpet, the buzz of whispers followed them like a shadow. Cameras flashed, and reporters murmured among themselves, trying to identify the striking woman on Nathan Harper¡¯s arm. ¡°She¡¯s stunning,¡± someone whispered. ¡°Must be his girlfriend,¡± another voice speculated. Lila forced herself to keep her head high, her grip on Nathan¡¯s arm tightening slightly. He leaned down and whispered, ¡°Ignore them. You¡¯re doing great.¡± She nodded, taking a steadying breath as they entered the ballroom. --- Across the room, Rowan Pierce adjusted his tie, his jaw tightening as Serena Hayes clung to his arm. Her laughter tinkled like glass, drawing the attention of several guests, but Rowan barely noticed. His eyes scanned the room, searching for something¡ªor someone¡ªhe couldn¡¯t admit to himself. Then he saw her. Lila stood near the bar, her hand resting lightly on Nathan¡¯s arm as they talked with a small group of guests. She looked radiant, her smile soft and genuine, her black gown hugging her figure in all the right ways. Beside her, Nathan exuded charm and confidence, his hand lingering protectively at the small of her back. Rowan¡¯s stomach churned. He recognized Nathan Harper immediately¡ªone of the wealthiest and most influential investors in the city. His jaw tightened as jealousy flared, raw and consuming. Of course she¡¯d moved on. Of course it would be with someone like him. ¡°Looks like she didn¡¯t waste any time,¡± Serena murmured, following his gaze. ¡°Nathan Harper, huh? Guess we know her type, rich and powerful.¡± Rowan tore his eyes away, but the image of Lila and Nathan laughing together burned in his mind. chapter 6 Rowan couldn¡¯t keep his eyes off Lila. The sound of Serena¡¯s chatter faded into the background as he watched her tilt her head back slightly, laughing at something Nathan said. Her hand brushed his arm, a gesture that made Rowan¡¯s stomach twist. It was as if the world around him ceased to exist. The hum of the gala, the clinking of glasses, the murmured conversations¡ªall drowned out by the image of Lila standing beside Nathan Harper. To everyone else, they looked like the perfect couple. ¡°She¡¯s really laying it on thick, isn¡¯t she?¡± Serena¡¯s voice cut through his thoughts. Her tone was sharp, bordering on smug. ¡°You¡¯d think she¡¯d at least wait a decent amount of time before flaunting her new¡­ whatever that is.¡± Rowan didn¡¯t reply, his jaw tightening. He knew Serena was trying to rile him up, but the sight of Lila with Nathan was doing that all on its own. ¡°I need some air,¡± Rowan muttered, stepping away from Serena. ¡°Don¡¯t be too long,¡± she called after him, but he was already weaving through the crowd, his gaze fixed on Lila. --- Lila felt Rowan¡¯s presence before she saw him. The hairs on the back of her neck prickled, her body instinctively tensing. She turned her head slightly and spotted him approaching, his expression unreadable but his eyes burning with intensity. Nathan noticed her change in demeanor and followed her gaze. ¡°Is that him?¡± he asked quietly. ¡°Yes,¡± she said, her voice tight. Nathan stepped closer, lowering his voice. ¡°Do you want me to handle this?¡± ¡°No,¡± Lila said quickly, though her heart was racing. ¡°I¡¯ll take care of it.¡± Nathan hesitated but nodded, staying close enough to intervene if necessary. Rowan stopped a few feet away, his posture stiff. ¡°Lila,¡± he said, his voice low.This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience. ¡°Rowan.¡± Her tone was polite, but there was an edge to it. ¡°I didn¡¯t think I¡¯d see you here,¡± he said, his gaze flicking briefly to Nathan. ¡°I didn¡¯t realize I needed to clear my schedule with you,¡± she replied coolly. Rowan¡¯s lips pressed into a thin line. ¡°So this is what you¡¯ve been up to? Moving on so quickly?¡± Nathan raised an eyebrow but didn¡¯t speak, letting Lila handle the situation. Lila¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°I don¡¯t see how my life is any of your concern.¡± ¡°It is my concern,¡± Rowan snapped. ¡°Or at least it was, until you decided to¡ª¡± ¡°To what?¡± Lila interrupted, her voice sharp. ¡°To leave? Because you asked me to, Rowan. Or did you forget that part?¡± Rowan faltered, the reminder cutting through his anger. But he quickly recovered, gesturing toward Nathan. ¡°So what¡¯s this, then? Didn¡¯t take long for you to find the next rich guy, did it?¡± Lila¡¯s cheeks flushed with anger, her hands clenching at her sides. Before she could respond, Nathan stepped forward, his voice calm but firm. ¡°You should leave her alone.¡± Rowan¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°And who are you to tell me what I should do?¡± Nathan smiled faintly, the kind of smile that wasn¡¯t meant to be kind. ¡°Someone who has no patience for men who can¡¯t handle their own mistakes.¡± The words hit Rowan like a slap, but instead of backing down, he stepped closer. ¡°You don¡¯t know anything about us.¡± ¡°I know enough,¡± Nathan replied smoothly, his tone steady. ¡°I know she deserves better than whatever this is.¡± ¡°Stop,¡± Lila said sharply, stepping between them. She looked at Rowan, her eyes blazing. ¡°You don¡¯t get to do this, Rowan. Not here, and not now.¡± Rowan stared at her, his chest heaving, his emotions churning between anger, guilt, and something he couldn¡¯t quite name. Nathan placed a hand on Lila¡¯s arm, a gesture of reassurance. ¡°Come on,¡± he said softly. ¡°We don¡¯t need to stay for this.¡± She nodded, casting one last glance at Rowan. ¡°Goodbye, Rowan.¡± She turned and walked away, her head held high, Nathan by her side. --- Rowan stood frozen, the sound of the gala buzzing faintly around him. He watched as Lila disappeared into the crowd, her gown trailing elegantly behind her. Nathan glanced back briefly, his expression unreadable, before escorting her out of the room. Serena appeared at his side, a glass of champagne in hand. ¡°That was¡­ dramatic,¡± she said, her tone laced with amusement. Rowan didn¡¯t reply. ¡°You should be glad she¡¯s gone,¡± Serena continued. ¡°You deserve someone who actually appreciates you.¡± He turned to look at her, his eyes cold. ¡°I think I need to be alone.¡± Without waiting for a response, Rowan walked toward the balcony, the cool night air hitting him as he stepped outside. His chest tightened as he gripped the railing, his mind racing with everything he¡¯d just seen and heard. He couldn¡¯t shake the image of Lila walking away with Nathan Harper. And for the first time, he wondered if he had truly lost her for good. chapter 7 The night after the gala, Rowan sat alone in his dimly lit apartment, a glass of whiskey untouched on the table before him. The image of Lila standing beside Nathan Harper played on a loop in his mind. Her laughter, her hand brushing against Nathan¡¯s arm, the way they seemed so¡­ connected. It gnawed at him. He reached for his phone and opened a search browser. Typing Nathan Harper into the search bar, he hit enter. The results were staggering. Articles and profiles described Nathan as one of the wealthiest investors in the city, a financial genius who had turned a modest inheritance into an empire. Rowan clicked through photo after photo of Nathan at charity events and galas, each one featuring a different stunning woman on his arm. But none of those women were Lila. ¡°Rich, powerful, charming,¡± Rowan muttered bitterly, shutting the screen off. ¡°Of course.¡± He leaned back on the couch, rubbing his temples. The jealousy burning in his chest was a mix of anger and self-loathing. He hated the way he couldn¡¯t stop thinking about her. Hated the way the sight of her with another man¡ªsomeone like Nathan¡ªhad gutted him. And yet, some part of him still couldn¡¯t believe she¡¯d moved on so quickly. --- At work the next day, Rowan¡¯s distraction hadn¡¯t gone unnoticed. Grant, his business partner, leaned against the doorframe of Rowan¡¯s office, arms crossed. ¡°You¡¯re completely useless today,¡± Grant said with a half-smile. Rowan glared at him. ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± ¡°Sure you are. You¡¯ve been staring at the same blueprint for an hour.¡± Grant stepped inside and dropped a file onto Rowan¡¯s desk. ¡°Anyway, thought you¡¯d want to see this. Harper Investments is opening up bids for their latest project. Rumor has it they¡¯re looking for something big.¡± Rowan frowned, flipping through the file. ¡°Harper Investments?¡± Grant nodded. ¡°Yeah, you know, Nathan Harper¡¯s company. The guy¡¯s a legend in the investment world. This project could be huge for us if we land it.¡± Rowan¡¯s stomach twisted. Harper Investments. Nathan Harper. Lila¡¯s Nathan Harper. He closed the file and leaned back in his chair. ¡°I¡¯m not sure it¡¯s worth the trouble.¡± Grant raised an eyebrow. ¡°What are you talking about? This is the kind of opportunity that could put us on the map. You¡¯d be crazy not to go for it.¡±Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. Rowan hesitated. He knew Grant was right. Professionally, this project was exactly what his firm needed. But the thought of pitching his work to Nathan Harper¡ªand possibly seeing Lila again¡ªmade his chest tighten. ¡°I¡¯ll think about it,¡± Rowan said finally. ¡°You¡¯d better do more than think,¡± Grant replied, heading for the door. ¡°The deadline for proposals is next week. Don¡¯t let your personal drama screw this up.¡± Rowan clenched his jaw, watching as Grant walked away. --- Meanwhile, at the Harper estate, Lila sat in the sunlit drawing room, a stack of papers spread out in front of her. Nathan leaned against the windowsill, scrolling through emails on his phone. ¡°I don¡¯t know why you¡¯re dragging me into this,¡± Lila said, setting down one of the proposals. ¡°Because you¡¯re good at this,¡± Nathan replied without looking up. ¡°That doesn¡¯t mean I want to be,¡± she muttered. Nathan finally looked up, giving her a small smile. ¡°You don¡¯t have to make any big decisions. Just tell me what you think. You¡¯ve got an eye for detail, Lila. It¡¯d be stupid not to use it.¡± Lila sighed, picking up the next proposal. She¡¯d agreed to help Nathan with his business dealings as a way to stay busy, but the truth was, it was starting to feel overwhelming. Nathan stepped closer, his tone softening. ¡°You¡¯re good at this because you care. That¡¯s rare in our world.¡± She looked up at him, her expression softening. ¡°Thanks.¡± Nathan grinned. ¡°Anytime.¡± --- Rowan spent the next few days preparing his pitch for Harper Investments. Despite his reservations, he couldn¡¯t ignore the potential impact the project could have on his career. He poured himself into perfecting every detail, determined to make an impression. When the day of the meeting arrived, Rowan stood outside the gates of the Harper estate, his nerves rattled by the grandeur of the place. The sleek black gates, manicured lawns, and sprawling mansion seemed overwhelming. A guard escorted him through the estate, leading him into a conference room with vaulted ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows. Rowan set up his materials, carefully arranging his blueprints and sketches on the long mahogany table. He was reviewing his notes when the door opened, and Nathan Harper stepped inside. ¡°Mr. Pierce,¡± Nathan said, offering a handshake. His tone was polite but distant. ¡°Mr. Harper,¡± Rowan replied, shaking his hand. Nathan took a seat at the head of the table, flipping through Rowan¡¯s portfolio. ¡°Let¡¯s see what you¡¯ve got.¡± Rowan launched into his presentation, his voice steady as he outlined his vision for the project. He felt confident, his nerves fading as he focused on the work. Then the door opened again. Rowan¡¯s words faltered as Lila walked in. She was dressed in a sleek navy suit, her hair pulled back into a loose bun. She carried a tablet and a leather portfolio, looking every bit like a high-powered executive. Her gaze met his briefly before she turned to Nathan. ¡°Sorry I¡¯m late,¡± she said, taking a seat beside him. Rowan¡¯s stomach dropped. She wasn¡¯t just attending the meeting; she was part of it. Nathan gestured for Rowan to continue, but the sight of Lila sitting beside Nathan¡ªlooking so composed, so at home¡ªcompletely threw him off. He stumbled through the rest of his presentation, his confidence unraveling. When he finished, Nathan leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. ¡°You¡¯ve got some interesting ideas,¡± he said finally. ¡°We¡¯ll be in touch.¡± Rowan nodded, gathering his materials with trembling hands. As he walked toward the door, he felt Lila¡¯s eyes on him. But she didn¡¯t say a word.