Chapter 10
ETHAN
Ididn’t wait for the music to end before I cut across the dance floor. The moment I spotted Gage across the ballroom, I cut through the crowd, tension rolling off me in waves.
I tapped my friend on the shoulder and leaned in. “I need a word.”
One look at my face was enough. Gage’s expression shifted, the easy smile dropping as he nodded and followed me toward the edge of the room, away from the swirl of guests.
We stopped near a column partially hidden by a tall floral arrangement, just out of earshot, and Gage asked, “What happened?”
I dragged a hand through my hair. “Sophie.”
Gage’s brows knit together. “What about her?”
“She cornered me a few minutes ago.” I exhaled, my jaw tightening. “Told me she has feelings for me.”
Gage’s eyes widened a fraction. “You’re kidding.”
“I wish I were.” I shook my head. “I shut it down immediately. Told her it was inappropriate. That I’m married and her boss. But—” I scrubbed my palm down my face, my frustration bleeding through. “It caught me off guard. I didn’t see this coming.”
Gage studied me for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then he let out a low breath. “You did the right thing.”
“I know.” My voice came out rougher than I intended. “But it shouldn’t have happened at all. I should’ve seen the signs sooner. And shut that shit down before it got to this point.”
“You’re not responsible for someone else crossing a line,” Gage pointed out. “But what happens next is on you.”
I nodded, in complete agreement with his assessment. “Which is why she can’t keep working with me.”
“Agreed.” Gage didn’t hesitate. “I’ll move her. Vanessa goes through assistants like water. Sophie can learn fast or flame out like the others. Either way, she won’t be your problem.”
Being friends with the CEO had its advantages, although I rarely traded on our relationship. “Thank you.”
Gage studied me again, more closely this time. “Is this going to cause more problems with Callie?”
“I hope not.” A slight chill raced up my spine. “I almost lost her once already. I’m not letting that happen again. Not because a spoiled brat crossed a line they shouldn’t have.”
Gage clapped me on the shoulder. “Then you’d better make damn sure she knows that.”
“I will.” My gaze drifted back toward the ballroom, scanning faces until I realized the most important one was missing. “I just need to find her first.”
I turned toward our table and didn’t see her. A flicker of unease slid through me. “She should’ve been back from the bathroom by now.”
“Maybe she stepped out for some air.” Gage followed my line of sight. “Let’s go ask my mom.”
I turned and spotted Mrs. Langford near the edge of the dance floor, chatting with a couple of board members.
“Excuse me,” I said, interrupting gently. “Have you seen Callie?”
She blinked at me. “Did she not find you?”
“Find me?” I echoed, my stomach dropping.
“Yes, she mentioned looking for you.” She glanced toward the table where we’d eaten dinner. “But that was at least fifteen minutes ago.”
I thanked her automatically and turned away, my pulse beginning to race.
I moved toward the far end of the ballroom, weaving through clusters of guests and servers carrying trays of champagne.
I checked near the bar first, then the hallway that led toward the restrooms. There was no sign of my wife.
I pulled my phone from my pocket and sent a quick text.
Me
Where’d you go?
A prickling tension crept up my spine. I tried to shake it off, telling myself I was overreacting. Except she didn’t reply to my message.
The terrace was empty, too. And she wasn’t at the silent auction table.
I checked my phone again and typed another message, faster this time.
Me
Callie? Please tell me where you are.
The seconds ticked by painfully slow.
I stalked over to the terrace to see if she had gone outside for a breath of fresh air. The music from inside thumped faintly behind me, but there was nothing but shadows and the faint glow of the city beyond the railing out here.
My chest tightened as I considered the possibility that she’d overheard Sophie’s declaration when she came looking for me. If Callie had walked away too quickly, she would’ve gotten the wrong impression.
My initial reply when would have sounded like I had been happy to discover Sophie had feelings for me without the context of what had come afterward. Fuck.
I dragged a hand through my hair, dread pooling low in my gut. Pulling my phone out again, my thumb hovered over her name before hitting the call button.
It rang several times before going to voicemail.
“Callie,” I muttered, scanning the room again as though she might materialize if I just looked hard enough. “Please pick up.”
A knot formed in my chest when she didn’t. I turned slowly, the noise of the gala rushing back in around me—and that was when I saw my mother approaching.
“Ethan.”
I didn’t bother with pleasantries. “Do you know where Callie is?”
“I believe she wasn’t feeling well and decided to head home.”
None of this made sense. I might not have been aware of it until recently, but my mother was the last person Callie would confide in. “She didn’t mention that to me.”
“She seemed overwhelmed.” My mother shrugged delicately. “These sorts of events can be a lot for someone not accustomed to them.”
My eyes narrowed. “What exactly do you mean by that?”
She lifted a shoulder. “Oh, Ethan. Don’t be defensive. I’m only saying she looked uncomfortable. I’m sure galas can be a bit much when you’re not used to our world.”
As far as I was concerned, the only world that mattered was the one with my Callie in it.
“You might not have been able to tell from the table where you were seated, but my wife wasn’t struggling tonight,” I retorted, knowing my choice of words would sting. “We had a great time.”
Unease flickered in her eyes for a moment, but then she smoothed her expression. “I only meant that some people aren’t suited to the expectations that come with your life. It takes a certain resilience.”
My mother was so wrong about Callie, and I couldn’t lie to myself anymore and say that her comments came from a good place.
My wife had ripped the blinders away. “I’m not disappointed in Callie.
The only expectations she hasn’t met are the ones you set.
And even though they’re unreasonable, she’s been bending herself into knots to try to get your acceptance. That’s on you, Mother.”
Her lips pressed together. “I’m trying to protect you.”
“No.” I shook my head. “You’re trying to shape things to your liking. There’s a difference.”
Her gaze hardened. “You’re overreacting.”
“I’m not,” I disagreed. “What I’m doing is finally paying attention.”
The music swelled behind us, laughter ringing as if nothing had changed. But it had for me.
“Do you even know where she went? Or were you just guessing?” I asked, already knowing I wouldn’t like the answer.
Her silence told me everything.
“Right.” I heaved a deep sigh. “I would say that I hope you enjoy the rest of your evening, but you taught me not to lie. So have the night you deserve.”
Turning on my heel, I headed for the exit. Time was slipping through my fingers. I needed to find my wife.
Unfortunately, the universe seemed to be conspiring against me. It took ten minutes for the valet to bring my car around, and I hit every red light on the way home.
The penthouse was dark when I stepped inside.
“Callie?” I called.
There was no answer except silence.
I dropped my keys onto the entry table and headed for the bedroom, my chest tightening with every step. There was no sign that Callie had been home. The lights were off, and the bed was made.
Wondering if I’d somehow missed her at the club, I finally noticed the closet door stood open.
I crossed the room in two strides and stopped short. Half of her side of the closet was bare. Her favorite sweaters were gone. Her jeans. The sneakers she wore to the gym.
I yanked open the top dresser drawer and found it empty. No lacy bras and panties, or even the comfortable cotton ones she wore when she wasn’t feeling well. The next three drawers had been picked over too. And two of her suitcases were gone.
“No.” I turned toward the vanity, my pulse roaring in my ears.
Her jewelry tray sat where it always did, except it wasn’t full.
The earrings she wore every day were gone. And carefully placed in the center were her wedding and engagement rings.
My world tilted as I reached for them. A hollow sound tore from my chest. Closing my fist around the rings that belonged on my wife’s finger, I sank onto the edge of the bed.
I dragged in a breath and pulled out my phone with shaking hands. There were no missed calls or messages from Callie.
Pressing my palms to my eyes, I breathed through the ache that spread through my chest. Somewhere deep down, I’d known this was coming. I’d felt it in the distance between us. Seen how she’d been bracing herself for disappointment.
I just hadn’t believed she’d actually go. I thought I had time to fix my mistakes. To make things good between us again. But as I stood there in our silent home, her absence screamed louder than any argument ever could.
I’d waited too long.
And now she was gone.