Chapter 12
Rowan's POV
"Rowan!" Nora's voice was bright, eager. "You're still coming tonight, right? Please tell me you didn't forget."
Her birthday. Christ.
"I'll be there," I said, forcing my tone into something resembling warmth.
"Thank you." Relief flooded her voice. "I know you're busy with the expansion, but it means so much that you're coming. Lucas keeps asking if you've confirmed—I think he's more excited than I am."
"Tell Lucas I'll be there at seven."
"Perfect! Oh, and Rowan? Don't bring anything. Your presence is gift enough."
I ended the call and immediately texted Jack: [Prepare the car. Kane estate. Leaving in twenty minutes.]
Then: [Is the gift ready?]
His reply came seconds later: [The sapphire from last week's auction is wrapped and in the trunk. Certificate of authenticity included.]
Good. Nora had mentioned wanting something from that collection months ago, back when we'd run into each other at a gallery opening. I'd barely paid attention at the time, but Jack had taken notes. That's what good assistants did—they remembered the things you were supposed to care about.
I headed upstairs to change, avoiding the master bedroom. Let Lena have her space. Let her call whoever she wanted, make whatever plans she needed for her post-contract life.
None of my business.
The lie tasted bitter even as I thought it.
---
The drive to the Kane estate took forty minutes through morning traffic. I spent most of it staring out the window, watching the city lights blur past, trying not to think about Lena's voice on the phone. That careful, controlled tone she used when she was protecting herself.
"Our contract expires in three weeks. After that, who I talk to, who I'm with—none of your business."
She was right, of course. She was always right when it came to the terms of our arrangement. Cool. Professional. Rational.
Everything I'd wanted when I'd signed that contract.
Everything that now felt like glass shards under my skin.
Jack glanced at me through the rearview mirror. "Sir? We're arriving."
I straightened, adjusting my cufflinks. Time to put on the appropriate face—the one that didn't show how much I wanted to drive back to Lakeview Estate and demand answers to questions I had no right to ask.
The Kane estate sprawled across ten acres of perfectly manicured grounds, the main house a colonial-style mansion with white columns and enough windows to light up the night. Cars lined the circular drive—Mercedes, Teslas, a vintage Aston Martin that probably belonged to one of Lucas's finance buddies.
I stepped out, and Lucas Kane materialized at my elbow like he'd been waiting. Probably had been. He looked the part of the successful older brother in his tailored suit, hair perfectly styled, smile practiced and easy.
"Rowan." He clapped me on the shoulder, that familiar gesture that was half-greeting, half-assessment. "Good to see you, man. Been too long."
"Busy month," I said.
"I heard about the European expansion. Ambitious move." His smile widened. "But then, you always did think big."
We started toward the house, and Lucas dropped his voice conspiratorially. "Listen, I know things have been... complicated for you lately. But I want you to know—whatever you need, we're here. The Kanes have always stood with the Reynolds family."
Translation: We're watching your marriage implode, and we're ready to welcome you back into Nora's life.
"Appreciate it," I said neutrally.
Lucas's hand squeezed my shoulder. "Nora's been looking forward to this all week. She's... well, you know how she gets about birthdays. But having you here means everything to her." A pause, weighted with meaning. "To all of us."
Before I could respond, the front door burst open and Nora appeared, a vision in pale pink silk that caught the light like water. Her face lit up when she saw me, and she practically flew down the steps, heels clicking on stone.
"Rowan! You came!"
She threw her arms around my neck—too close, too familiar—and I automatically put my hands on her waist to steady her. The movement was instinctive, muscle memory from years of knowing her, but it felt wrong now. Foreign.
"Happy birthday, Nora," I said, stepping back as much as her grip would allow.
"I was worried you'd be late. Or that work would keep you away entirely." She kept one hand on my arm, fingers curled possessively around my bicep. "Come inside. Everyone's dying to see you."
She tugged me toward the house, and I found myself following because refusing would cause a scene. Lucas walked beside us, that knowing smile still playing at his lips.
Inside, the party was in full swing—crystal chandeliers, live string quartet, champagne being passed on silver trays. At least fifty people milled through the grand foyer and adjoining rooms, a mix of old money families and young professionals. The kind of crowd where everyone knew everyone's business.
The kind of crowd where every gesture would be noted, analyzed, reported.
Nora kept her hand on my arm as she led me through the sea of guests, introducing me to people I already knew, laughing at jokes that weren't funny, playing the perfect hostess with me as her... what? Date? Old friend? Future something?
I caught several people raising phones, snapping casual photos. Social media fodder. By morning, images of me and Nora would be circulating through our entire circle.
If Lena sees these...
The thought hit before I could stop it, followed immediately by bitter amusement.
She's already planning her next contract. Why would she care?
"Rowan?" Nora tilted her head up at me, concern flickering across her features. "Are you alright? You seem distracted."
"Fine," I said. "Just thinking about work."
"Always work with you." She squeezed my arm, pressing closer. "You need to learn to relax. Enjoy the moment. We're not in college anymore—you don't have to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders every second."
Easy for you to say, I thought. You weren't the one who just heard your wife planning her exit strategy while your contract was still warm.
But I smiled, played the part, let her lead me to the bar for drinks I didn't want and conversations I couldn't focus on.
All the while, my mind kept circling back to Lakeview Estate. To Lena's calm voice saying, "I don't need to explain my private conversations to you."
To the casual way she'd dismissed me. Like I was already gone.
Like I'd never mattered at all.