The ballroom at The Zenith hummed with energy. Crystal chandeliers cast a warm glow over crisp white tablecloths and shiny silverware. Tonight was the Global Hospitality Awards, the biggest night of the year.
Chloe Beaumont smoothed her silk gown, her stomach churning with nerves and excitement. Sterling Hotels, the chain she ran with her husband Richard, was up for Best Luxury Experience. A win would put them at the very top.
She scanned the fancy room for Richard. He was supposed to be here with her. But all she caught were whispers and pitying looks from the crowd.
"Can't believe he'd do this to her," someone muttered.
"Right under her nose," another voice hissed.
"And with her own sister," a third added.
Her sister? Isabella? Chloe's blood turned to ice. A tight knot formed in her chest. What did they mean?
She noticed Mrs. Davenport, a rival's wife, giving her a look of fake sympathy. It made Chloe's skin crawl.
She had to find Richard. Right now.
Ignoring the waiters with champagne trays, she headed to the edge of the ballroom, her heart racing.
Someone said they saw Richard near the service corridors in the east wing.
Chloe slipped through a heavy velvet curtain into a quiet, plain hallway. The loud gala noise faded behind her.
Then she heard it. Soft voices. Voices she knew too well.
Her steps slowed. A heavy dread settled in her gut.
She turned the corner and stopped dead.
There, against the cold marble wall, was Richard. Her husband. His arms were around a woman pressed tight to him.
It was Isabella. Her younger sister.
Chloe couldn't breathe. It felt like someone punched the air out of her.
Isabella laughed, a sound that always annoyed Chloe but now cut like broken glass. She leaned back, looking up at Richard with a flirty smile.
Then, with a slow, dramatic move, Isabella took Richard's hand. She guided it down, pressing it against her stomach. A stomach with a small, clear bump under her tight dress.
Chloe watched, frozen, as Richard's face softened. He gently rubbed Isabella's belly.
"Isabella," Chloe whispered, her voice barely a sound.
They both turned to her. Richard's eyes widened a bit, but showed no guilt. Just annoyance.
Isabella, though, smirked with pure victory.
"Chloe," Richard said, his tone cold and distant. He didn't move away from Isabella. "We need to talk."
"Talk?" Chloe's voice shook. "What is this, Richard? What the heck is happening?"
Isabella stepped closer, keeping Richard's hand on her belly. "Isn't it clear, dear sister? I'm pregnant. Richard and I are having a baby."
The words hit Chloe like a slap. Pregnant. Her husband. Her sister.
"Richard?" Chloe looked at him, begging with her eyes for him to say it wasn't true.
He sighed, running a hand through his neat hair. "It's true, Chloe. Bella is pregnant."
"How could you?" Tears blurred her eyes. "With my sister?"
"Let's be real, Chloe," Richard said, his voice turning hard. "Our marriage was just business. You were great at managing things, I'll admit. But love? Passion? We never had that."
Business. Her years of hard work, her sacrifices, her loyalty. Just business.
"And you have that with her?" she snapped, pointing at Isabella. "Passion with her?"
"I need an heir, Chloe," Richard said coldly, ignoring her. "Someone to carry the Sterling name. Isabella can give me that. You couldn't."
His cruel words took her breath away. He knew she struggled to have kids, but he never seemed to care. Until now.
"So you just threw me away?"
Isabella moved closer, her eyes shining with spite. "He chose me, Chloe. He chose us. Our family."
Chloe felt sick. The distant gala noise grew louder as the corridor door opened a bit. Curious faces peeked out, then quickly disappeared.
They were causing a scene. Here. Tonight.
From the corner of her eye, she saw a tall man down the main hallway, half-hidden by a pillar. He wore a perfect suit, watching with a calm, intense stare. Julian Devereux. Their biggest rival.
He saw. He saw her shame.
Anger burned through Chloe, hotter than the pain. Years of being the strong one, the one who fixed everything while Richard took the glory and Isabella charmed everyone.
Richard looked annoyed. "Look, Chloe, let's keep this quiet."
Quiet. After showing off his affair with her sister at the biggest event of the year.
She raised her hand.
A sharp slap rang out in the corridor as her palm hit Richard's cheek.
His head jerked back. A red mark appeared on his skin.
Isabella gasped, overdoing it.
Richard stared at Chloe, shocked, touching his face slowly.
Chloe stood there, shaking, her hand stinging, her world broken at her feet. Julian Devereux's cold gaze seemed to pierce her from afar.
