Chapter 10 #2
Something flashed in Victoria’s eyes—relief? panic?—before she nodded. “Okay. Yes. That might actually help.” She paused, glancing briefly at where Ethan was helping Sophia gather her materials. “Fair warning though—Violet will probably be there.”
The mention of Victoria’s wild-child sister should have been another deterrent. Instead, Jason found himself increasingly intrigued by the prospect of watching this new Victoria navigate the Hayes family dynamics.
“Barb, clear my evening schedule,” he said, though his PA was already typing.
“Of course, sir.” Barbara’s professional mask didn’t quite hide her fascination with the situation.
Victoria’s answering smile was nothing like her usual social weapon. This one reached her eyes, transforming her entire face into something dangerously appealing. “My hero,” she said with a touch of irony that was entirely new. “Rushing in to face the dragons.”
“Dinosaurs,” he corrected, earning another of those real laughs.
She turned to leave, then paused, looking back at Sophia and Ethan. Something almost like concern crossed her features before she masked it. “Have a good evening,” she said to them both, though her eyes lingered on Sophia with an emotion Jason couldn’t quite read.
As Victoria headed for the elevator, Jason caught the subtle exchange of looks between his remaining staff members.
Barb’s raised eyebrow spoke volumes about the unprecedented nature of the afternoon.
Ethan’s expression was equally bewildered, though he quickly returned his attention to Sophia, who was still staring after Victoria like she’d witnessed a supernatural event.
His phone rang—Henry Patterson from Patterson & Wright, his lawyer.
“The divorce papers are ready,” Henry said without preamble. “You can come sign them anytime. Finally getting free of the ice queen, eh?”
Through the glass walls of his office, Jason watched Victoria waiting for the elevator.
She looked nothing like an ice queen in her stylish but approachable outfit, her face soft with thought.
She caught Sophia and Ethan’s reflection in the elevator doors and that puzzled frown returned briefly before smoothing away.
“Hold off on those papers,” he heard himself say.
“What? But you’ve been pushing for this divorce for?—”
“Until further notice,” Jason said firmly.
“Something’s… changed.” He paused, watching Victoria’s retreating form.
“But if you don’t hear from me in four weeks, proceed as planned.
” He was a businessman after all, and this sudden change in Victoria might just be another calculated move—a new strategy in their elaborate chess game of a marriage.
He couldn’t let his guard down completely, not yet.
He ended the call before Henry could argue, his mind spinning with possibilities. And questions. So many questions.
“Sir?” Barbara appeared in his doorway. “The quarterly reports you requested.”
Jason nodded absently, still watching through the glass as Victoria texted someone with intense concentration, her brow furrowed in that new, endearingly human way.
“And sir?” Barbara hesitated, then added with careful professionalism, “Mrs. Everett was… not what I expected.”
“No,” Jason agreed softly. “She wasn’t.”
Through the glass, he could see Ethan walking Sophia to her desk, their heads bent close together as they discussed something that was making Sophia smile. Victoria glanced their way again, that flash of confusion crossing her face before the elevator doors finally opened.
Who was this woman wearing his wife’s face? And why did he suddenly want to know everything about her?
More importantly, why did she keep looking at Sophia and Ethan like they were characters in a story that had gone off-script?
Jason moved back to his desk, shuffling through the reports that needed his attention.
Through his office’s glass walls, he could still see Ethan and Sophia by her desk, their heads bent close together as they discussed what he doubted was purely marketing strategy.
Sophia’s cheeks were pink, and Ethan’s usual professional demeanor had softened into something far more personal.
Finally, after what looked like a reluctant goodbye, Ethan made his way to Jason’s office. His CMO’s usual confident stride had a distinctly giddy quality to it as he approached.
“That was… different,” Ethan said, leaning against Jason’s office doorframe. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen Mrs. Everett in the office before, let alone defending the marketing department.”
“Different is one word for it,” Jason murmured, watching as his friend tried—and failed—to maintain his usual professional composure.
“Good different, though, right?” Ethan’s grin was knowing. “I mean, she actually smiled. At people. Without it looking like she was plotting their social demise.”
Jason shot him a look. Ethan raised his hands in mock surrender. “Hey, I’m just saying what everyone’s thinking. Even Sophia said—” He caught himself.
“Even Sophia said what?” Jason asked, amused by his CMO’s sudden interest in the carpet pattern.
“Nothing. Just that… Mrs. Everett was surprisingly nice when they went shopping. Bought the whole collection or something.” Ethan cleared his throat. “Speaking of Sophia?—”
“Speaking of work,” Jason interrupted, enjoying the faint color that rose in Ethan’s cheeks, “those marketing mock-ups were impressive.”
“Right. Work. Yes.” Ethan straightened, professional mask sliding back into place. Though Jason noticed his eyes drifting toward Sophia’s desk again. “The green initiative campaign could be huge for us. If we launch next quarter like Mrs. Everett suggested—” He paused. “You know, it’s weird.”
“What is?”
“The way she kept looking at me and Sophia during the meeting. Like she was… I don’t know, worried? But not in her usual the help is getting ideas above their station way. More like…” Ethan frowned, searching for words.
“Like she was watching a story unfold differently than expected?” Jason supplied, remembering Victoria’s puzzled expressions.
“Yeah, exactly! How did you?—”
“Just a theory I’m working on.” Jason glanced at his watch. If they were really doing this Hayes family dinner, he should head home soon. “Send me those mock-ups before you leave. And Ethan?”
“Sir?”
“That coffee with Sophia… keep it professional.”
Ethan’s face fell slightly. “Of course, sir. I wouldn’t?—”
“At least until after the campaign launches,” Jason added with a slight smile. “I’d hate to lose my best CMO to HR complications.”
The grin that spread across Ethan’s face could have powered the entire building’s green initiative by itself.
* * *
An hour later, Jason stepped out of the private elevator into what he initially thought must be the wrong penthouse. Gone was the tomb-like silence Victoria insisted upon. Instead, the space hummed with life, soft instrumental music playing in the background, and… was that laughter?
“Maybe the blue one?” a voice that sounded like his wife’s—but far more animated—called from somewhere upstairs.
“The blue suits you perfectly, Mrs. Everett,” Anna responded.
“You think so?” Victoria appeared at the top of the stairs, holding up two dresses. “Kate? Thoughts?”
“The blue does bring out your eyes, Mrs. Everett,” Kate offered.
Samantha appeared from one of the rooms, tablet in hand, efficient as always. She paused upon seeing Jason. “Oh! Mr. Everett! I didn’t realize you’d be home so early.”
Victoria’s head popped over the railing, hair in elegant disarray. “Jason?” Her eyes widened. “Is that the time? I’m not… I mean, I’ll be ready soon.”
From the kitchen came the sounds of cooking and the rich aroma of something that made Jason’s eyebrows raise.
“Mrs. Everett requested a light meal before the dinner engagement, sir,” Gregory explained when he caught Jason’s questioning look. “She mentioned something about… sustenance being necessary.”
The staff exchanged knowing glances, having witnessed their employer’s newfound appreciation for Gregory’s cooking during last night’s impromptu gathering.
“A welcome change from the usual mineral water,” Kate remarked to Anna, just loud enough for Jason to hear.
Victoria rushed past them, now wearing a different dress entirely. “Oh, that smells amazing,” she said, peering into the kitchen. “Gregory, you’re a miracle worker.”
Gregory’s professional mask softened with a small smile. “Thank you, Mrs. Everett. It’s just a simple risotto?—”
Victoria darted into the kitchen, emerging with a spoonful of creamy risotto that made her eyes close in bliss.
“This is incredible,” she said between bites, then caught sight of Jason watching her.
“I mean… I thought it prudent to…” She straightened, attempting her usual imperial pose, but with a grain of rice clinging precariously to her lip, it came across more endearing than intimidating.
Sam stepped forward, tablet in hand. “Mrs. Everett, about the seating arrangements your mother sent over?—”
“Oh God, the seating arrangements,” Victoria muttered, taking another spoonful. “Though why anyone needs a diagram for five people…” She caught herself, offering a bright smile that made Sam’s lips twitch in response.
Kate and Anna exchanged amused glances. Victoria turned back to the stairs, nearly colliding with Mrs. Martinez who was carrying a selection of evening bags.
“Sorry! I mean, pardon me. I mean…” Victoria took a breath, then offered her spoon to the housekeeper. “You have to try this. Gregory’s outdone himself.”
Mrs. Martinez’s professional demeanor wavered slightly, a small smile touching her lips as she politely declined.
“Mrs. Everett,” Sam tried again, following Victoria up the stairs while carefully avoiding the trail of discarded evening bags. “Your mother’s email specifically mentioned?—”
“One second,” Victoria called from her dressing room, emerging moments later in yet another dress, spoon still in hand. “Gregory, I’m keeping this spoon. It’s my emotional support spoon now.”
A soft chuckle escaped from the kitchen.