Chapter 1Sunlight and Secrets in Maldives

My wife, Elena, bailed on our daughter’s Annual Spring Showcase, claiming a last-minute work emergency. She even insisted we skip it too.

Seeing the disappointment cloud my daughter Sophie’s face, I decided to take her myself.

The moment we stepped onto the school grounds, my blood ran cold. There, on the main stage, sat Elena. And next to her, nestled on a plush sofa like they owned the place, were her high school sweetheart, Adrian Vance, and his son. They looked for all the world like a perfect family of three.

Elena was holding a microphone, speaking eloquently about achieving the perfect work-life balance. Every so often, she’d glance at Adrian, sharing a private, knowing smile. The crowd of parents and students erupted in applause. The adoration fueled her, a smug satisfaction spreading across her face. Even the little boy beside her wore a look of arrogant pride.

Then came the Q&A. I shoved my way to the front and snatched a microphone from one of the ushers.

“Excuse me, Ms. Sterling,” I called out, my voice booming through the speakers. “I have a question. Since when did you have a son? And does your husband know about it?”

...

My words hung in the air, instantly replaced by a wave of angry whispers from the parents and students around me. Their gazes, sharp with disdain, cut right through me.

“Who is that guy? So rude.”

“He’s probably just some nobody, jealous of Elena’s husband. Trying to get her attention this way. She runs a billion-dollar company; it’s not surprising she has a few delusional stalkers trying to worm their way in.”

“Pathetic.”

On stage, a flicker of panic crossed Elena’s face when she saw me, but she masked it in an instant. Adrian, however, wasn’t so composed.

He put on a show of wounded indignation. “Elena, honey, what is he talking about?”

I ignored him completely, my eyes locked on Elena. “You haven’t answered my question, Ms. Sterling.”

She reflexively tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, then, in front of everyone, she took Adrian’s hand and squeezed it tight.

“This,” she declared, “is my answer.”

Adrian’s expression softened with emotion as he pulled her into a deeper embrace.

The crowd collectively gasped, “Awww!”

“This is true love, right in front of us! So brave!”

“Elena Sterling is an absolute icon. A powerhouse CEO who adores her husband and child. She’s perfect!”

Their glares toward me intensified, dripping with contempt.

“Yeah, that shut him up. Tried to stir up trouble and got put in his place.”

“Look at that loser. Does he really think he can compare to Elena’s husband? Everyone knows her husband holds a top position at Apex Holdings, that he’s her right-hand man. What a joke, comparing a titan like that to this… this nobody!”

Just then, my phone vibrated. A text from Elena.

“Ethan, don’t misunderstand. I promised Adrian I’d pretend to be Dylan’s mom for the day. He’s never had a mother, the poor thing. But you… you not only disobeyed me, you came here to publicly humiliate me. Stop this nonsense right now.”

A cold, bitter laugh escaped my lips. Elena always had a fiercely competitive streak. It’s why, after we married, I poured everything I had into supporting her career, making her the General Manager while I managed the real power behind the scenes. But now, it seemed she’d forgotten who was king and who was the pawn.

Apex Holdings was founded by my grandfather. I hold 75% of the shares.

My fingers flew across the screen, firing off messages to the heads of HR and Legal at Apex. Today, in front of this entire audience, I was going to strip her of that title.

My daughter, Sophie, couldn’t stand hearing them insult me. Her voice, though trembling, rang out with fury.

“What are you talking about! That’s my mom, Elena, on stage! My dad is her husband! That man is the other woman—I mean, the other man!”

The crowd burst into laughter, their mockery growing louder.

“Like father, like daughter. So young and already a little gold-digger. Truly rotten to the core!”

“Are you blind? Ms. Sterling is showing off her perfect family. How could they be fake?”

Suddenly, the boy from the stage, Dylan, stormed over to us. He glared at Sophie with pure malice. “Who are you calling a homewrecker? Are you and your dad that desperate to latch onto a rich family? Have you no shame!”

He raised his hand to strike her, but I caught his wrist in a vice grip. My gaze lifted past him, settling on Elena, who stood just a few feet away.

“Elena,” I said, my voice dangerously low. “I’m giving you one last chance. Are you going to tell them the truth?”