Chapter 7
Laura's POV
I watched Grace leave the dining room, my heart pounding. She knew—or at least, she suspected. I caught Richard's worried glance and gave him a subtle nod. Not now. We'll talk later.
Richard and I had been together since our sophomore year of college. His father, old Mr. Harrison, had made it clear I wasn't suitable for his son—my family wasn't wealthy or well-connected enough. When Richard's father threatened to cut him off financially if we married, we found a solution.
Richard would find someone his father approved of to be his wife on paper, while we maintained our real relationship in secret. We had secretly married six years ago on a small Caribbean island. Emma was our daughter—our actual, biological daughter—though the world believed she was adopted by Richard and his "wife" Grace.
He had promised me that once his inheritance was secured, we would go public with our relationship. In our plan, Grace was only a temporary tool.
Looking at the mark on my daughter's hand, I felt a surge of anger. Her physical punishment of Emma felt like a warning to me.
---
Grace's POV
After leaving home, I hurried to Harrison Group headquarters to search Richard's office thoroughly, rummaging through drawers and file cabinets for my research data. His computer was password protected, but I knew his habits—he used the same password everywhere: Emma's birthday plus his mother's name.
The screen unlocked, revealing dozens of folders. I searched quickly, aware that my time was limited before someone might interrupt. Nothing. No scans of my notebooks, no digital files containing my research data.
A knock on the door made me jump. I quickly closed the browser windows.
"Mrs. Harrison?" Richard's executive assistant poked her head in. "Here are several contracts that need your signature immediately—they've been waiting for three days."
She handed me a thick folder. I skimmed through it briefly. These were all projects I had personally negotiated over the past few months.
"Did Richard specifically say I should sign these?" I asked.
"Yes, ma'am. I called him this morning, and he said 'if anything comes up, have Grace handle it.'"
I almost laughed at the irony. For two years, Richard had given me the illusion of authority without actual power. I made decisions in his absence, only to be reprimanded later for overstepping. Any success would be credited to him; any failure would be mine alone to bear.
"I'll need to review these first," I said, taking the folder.
Her expression grew anxious. "But it's extremely urgent. Mr. Harrison said you would sign right away."
"I'm sure he did," I replied coolly. "But I need to step out for a bit right now. I'll sign them when I return after reviewing them."
"But—"
"Thank you, that will be all," I said firmly, ending the conversation.
I looked at the contracts in my hand, knowing that further delay in signing might cause the partnerships to fall through. But that was exactly the outcome I wanted.
After a fruitless search, I put the contracts in a drawer and left the company. Now I needed to organize my new residence.
---
The evening sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of my new apartment, casting long shadows on the floor. This luxurious space near Central Park represented my fresh start.
I was placing a few precious items in the walk-in closet when my phone rang, Richard's name flashing on the screen. I took a deep breath, making my voice sound normal.
"Hello?"
"Where are you?" Richard's voice carried obvious displeasure. "It's already eight in the evening."
I easily told a lie: "Meeting with several fragrance material suppliers. It's running late, so I'll probably stay at a hotel tonight."
"You should have told me earlier," his tone softened, trying to sound concerned. "I miss you."
His fake sweet talk made my stomach churn. Once, such words would have made my heart race; now they only made me sick.
"I'll try to wrap up my business quickly," I replied calmly, my gaze sweeping across my new home—a space without Richard, without lies. "Don't wait up."
After hanging up, I continued arranging the personal items I had brought from the mansion.
---
Richard's POV
I stared at the phone, feeling a strange emptiness from the sudden disconnection.
It was odd. For years, every sweet word and tender gesture I offered Grace was a calculated performance, never containing genuine emotion. Yet now, when she no longer responded, I felt a strange void.
My thoughts were interrupted by Laura embracing me from behind.
"Richard, do you love me?" she asked softly.
I turned to caress her hands. "Do you even need to ask? You're the only woman I've ever truly loved. For you, I'd do anything."
I meant it. Laura was the only woman who truly occupied my heart.
I remember when I was sixteen at our private high school, Laura helped me through the darkest period of my life. I vowed then to ensure she would always be happy and protected.
"But I'm scared," Laura whispered.
"What are you afraid of?" I asked.
"I'm afraid your parents will never approve of us being together, I'm afraid of losing Emma and you," Laura replied.
I turned to face her, cupping her cheeks in my hands.
"Laura, listen to me. Nothing will come between us. Nothing."
Her eyes filled with worry. "But what if she finds out? What if Emma never gets to publicly call me mom? What if..." Her voice cracked. "What if you eventually choose to actually marry her for business reasons?"
I pulled her closer, brushing my lips against her forehead. The familiar scent of her shampoo filled my nostrils. "I promise you that no one will stop us from being together. Once the IPO goes through, we'll have enough security to weather any storm."
She reached up, drawing my mouth to hers. As our lips met, an unexpected image flashed in my mind—Grace's face, and a surge of irritation flooded my heart.
I pulled away abruptly, confused by my own reaction.
"What's wrong?" Laura asked, insecurity evident despite her attempt to hide it.
"Nothing," I said quickly. Too quickly. My mind raced for an excuse. "I think that lobster from last night isn't sitting well. My stomach feels off."
I turned toward the bathroom, needing a moment alone. What the hell was that? Why would Grace's face appear in my mind while kissing Laura? Her behavior these past few days seemed like she was hiding something. Irritation and panic began to build in my chest.