Chapter 3
CHRIS
The sharp chime of the morning alarm pulled me from a restless night.
I didn’t bother looking at my wife beside me; her side of the bed had remained cold, the silence between us thick enough to cut.
After she had kicked me out last night, I ended up falling asleep in my study, only moving back into the bedroom in the early hours to avoid questions from the staff.
I swung my legs off the bed and stood, my reflection in the full-length mirror was not exactly one that matched how I was feeling this morning.
My hair was a mess, but there were more pressing matters to handle before dealing with Beth’s ongoing frustration.
The fallout from last night’s gala was already making waves.
It didn’t matter that I’d left the table for a brief, albeit critical, business discussion.
The optics were not on our side. The press had gotten wind of the empty seat at my table.
Rumors would circulate, as they always did, and I needed to get ahead of them.
My mind immediately shifted into corporate mode.
It was my default, the only space where I felt like I could regain some semblance of control.
I walked over to my phone, which was already buzzing with early notifications from our PR team, and scrolled through the messages quickly.
It was just like them to jump into overdrive at the first whiff of scandal, even if it wasn’t a real one.
“Great,” I muttered to myself as I read the headline that was already making its rounds on major Seattle business blogs.
CEO of Lewis Enterprises and Wife Seen Having Disagreement at Prestigious Charity Gala.
There was even a candid shot from someone who had been at the event, one where Beth was speaking on stage with an award, and I was nowhere near my table.
My stomach tightened, not with guilt, but with the realization that this would become an issue I had to manage, something to smooth over with a carefully crafted statement or a public appearance. My team was already on it, of course.
I pulled on a tailored navy suit jacket, the crisp fabric pulling snug across my shoulders.
As I adjusted my collar in front of the mirror, the door creaked open behind me.
It was one of the house staff, discreet as always, with a perfectly pressed shirt draped over her arm.
She laid it across the chair in front of my desk, bowed her head slightly in acknowledgment, and left without a word. Efficient. That was what I paid for.
I dressed quickly, my thoughts still lingering on Beth.
I knew she was upset, but I couldn’t wrap my head around the level of reaction.
It was a dinner, for Christ’s sake. Yes, I left the table at a key moment, but it was a split-second decision for a deal that could shape our entire financial future.
It wasn’t something I could just put aside for the sake of appearances.
Yet, there she was, acting like it was some unforgivable betrayal.
I fastened my cufflinks, the cool metal a familiar comfort in my hands, and checked my watch.
My first meeting was in thirty minutes downtown, and the clock was already ticking.
There wasn’t time to deal with this right now.
I could try again later when we both had space to calm down. Right now, I needed to focus.
Stepping out of the bedroom, I cast one last glance at the bed.
The sheets were still untouched from Beth’s side, a reminder of the distance she had put between us last night.
My chest tightened momentarily, but I pushed the feeling aside.
We’d argue, she’d cool off, and in the end, she’d understand. She always did.
I made my way through the silent, sprawling apartment, the morning light filtering through the floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating the pristine white decor.
The kitchen was empty, the coffee already brewed and left on the counter by the staff, just how I liked it.
I poured myself a cup and took a sip, savoring the sharp, rich taste.
It was one of the few small indulgences I allowed myself in the mornings, a brief pause before the day’s chaos kicked in.
My driver was waiting outside when I reached the lobby, the black luxury sedan polished to a perfect shine.
The moment the door shut behind me, the car began moving smoothly through the streets, the city waking up around us, skyscrapers catching the first rays of sunlight.
It was going to be a busy day, the kind that left little room for anything other than strategy, numbers, and boardroom decisions. That was my life, and I thrived in it.
The car slowed as we approached the office tower, and I leaned back against the leather seat, exhaling slowly.
The PR issue would be handled, just like all the others.
I’d smooth it over with a carefully placed statement, maybe a candid interview with a friendly business outlet where I’d emphasize the importance of my charity work and how committed I was to both my foundation and my company.
People loved a narrative, and I was more than capable of controlling the story.
As I walked into the building, the familiar hum of activity surrounded me.
My team was already moving, eyes on screens, phones glued to ears as the workday began in earnest. I gave them all a brief nod as I passed, my focus already narrowing to the series of meetings ahead of me, one of which involved the deal I’d secured with Jessica’s family’s venture fund the night before.
It had been risky, timing it during the gala, but worth it in the end.
My secretary greeted me outside my office with a stack of messages, already sorted by urgency. “Good morning, sir,” she said, her tone crisp and professional. “Ms. Martin is waiting for you inside.”
I raised an eyebrow, not expecting to see Jessica this early. “Let her in,” I replied, already moving toward my office. Jessica’s voice greeted me before I even stepped inside.
“Chris, I trust the morning has been kind to you?” She stood by the large window, a perfectly tailored blazer cinching her waist, her posture as impeccable as always.
I shut the door behind me, setting my briefcase down by my desk. “It’s been eventful,” I replied dryly, sinking into my chair.
Jessica flashed me a knowing smile, her eyes narrowing with understanding.
She had been at the heart of last night’s impromptu discussion, after all.
She walked over and perched on the edge of my desk, her long legs crossed elegantly.
“I saw the headlines,” she said, her voice smooth and confident.
“You know I can help with the PR side if you need me to.”
I nodded, appreciating her offer, though I doubted I’d need it. My own team was capable, but Jessica always liked to be involved, especially where her interests overlapped with mine. “It’s a minor blip. We’ll manage.”
She tilted her head slightly, studying me with those cool, calculating eyes. “And Beth? Is she still upset about last night?”
A flash of annoyance passed through me, but I kept it from my face. “She’ll get over it.”
Jessica chuckled, a soft, knowing sound. “Of course she will. You know how she is.”
I shot her a sharp look, not appreciating the slight at my wife, but Jessica didn’t seem to notice.
She leaned back a little, resting her hands on the desk behind her.
“Speaking of the deal,” she began, shifting the topic easily, “my family’s impressed.
They’re ready to move forward by the end of the week. ”
That was good news, the kind of news that could put some of the morning’s stress to rest. “Excellent. Let’s have the legal team start drawing up the documents.”
Jessica gave me a pleased nod, but her expression didn’t fully mask the concern she was still holding on to. “Chris,” she said quietly, “if you’re worried about Beth, don’t be. I’ll make sure the media knows this is all about the fund and not your domestic issues.”
I didn’t like the way she said domestic issues, as if my marriage was some sort of liability in our world of business deals and corporate politics.
But I held my tongue. Jessica was useful, and now wasn’t the time to alienate her, not when the deal was so close to being finalized. “It’s handled, Jessica.”
Her lips quirked into a small, secretive smile as if she had won some unspoken victory. “I’m sure it is.” She stood from the desk and adjusted her blazer. “I’ll leave you to it, then. But if you need me for anything else, you know where to find me.”
With that, she slipped out of the room, leaving me alone with the weight of the day pressing down.
I shook my head, pushing the thoughts of Jessica and Beth aside for the time being.
There were too many things to focus on, and letting personal matters cloud my judgment wasn’t something I could afford.
I stood, straightening my jacket before opening the door to my office. “Let’s start with the quarterly reports,” I called to my secretary, my mind already shifting to the numbers and strategies that would define the rest of my day. Personal matters would have to wait. Business always came first.
The drive home that evening felt heavier than the morning.
The sun had already set, and the city was alive with twinkling lights as the car wove through the streets, heading toward the penthouse.
I knew Beth would be there, waiting for me, probably still fuming about the night before.
I ran a hand through my hair, already formulating how I’d approach her when I got home.
Maybe an apology would help. It wasn’t my style to cave so quickly, but I needed to get her off this ledge.
Her frustration was becoming an unnecessary distraction, and I couldn’t have that.