Chapter 1

“Your husband is seeing another woman, Naomi. How can you sleep? Aren’t you worried about losing your position as Mrs. Ludwig?”

In her villa's bedroom, Heather Quinlan voiced her disappointment to Naomi Goodwin, whose reaction wasn't what Heather expected.

Naomi, eyes sleepy, asked, “Who’s the lucky lady tonight, Mom?”

During their two-year marriage, Naomi had stepped aside for other women, yet her mother-in-law, Heather, regularly accused Brendan Ludwig of infidelity. Naomi was used to it.

But she'd never found proof.

“I’ll text you the hotel room number. Go get him back,” Heather paused. “If you don’t care about Brendan, I can’t help you.”

Did Naomi not care about Brendan? It was Brendan who hadn't given her the chance. For two years, he rarely came home, and their encounters always ended in discord. He avoided her; how could she care?

Their relationship hadn't always been this way. He'd been kind and tolerant, but something had changed.

Naomi closed her eyes, silent for a moment. Then, in a lazy tone, she said, “I understand, Mom. Send me the address.”

Half an hour later, as Naomi collected the room key from hotel manager Bailey Jenkins, Naomi's friend, Bailey arrived. They reached the suite's door.

Naomi, about to unlock it, felt a surge of annoyance. While this was common, having her things taken still upset her.

The door opened, and a voice from inside said, “Four of diamonds.”

Naomi and Bailey were puzzled. They'd expected to catch Brendan with another woman, not a poker game.

Even so, the sight of men with young women was unpleasant, especially Brendan. A cigarette dangled from his lips as he picked a card; Chloe Yates sat beside him, affectionately holding his arm.

The poker players were Ashburgh's elite; Brendan, however, was the most striking. Extremely handsome, he wore gold-rimmed glasses and slicked-back hair. A roguish charm tempered his gentleness; he remained captivating. Two years after taking over Ludwig Corporation, he'd become Ashburgh's leader, commanding respect.

If not for "that matter," he would have been the perfect husband. He was kind, just not to her.

Mason Stone, seated facing the door, was surprised to see Naomi. He started to greet her, but Brendan's cold glare interrupted. Mason's smile faltered before he finished, less enthusiastically, “Ms. Naomi, why are you here?”

Naomi smiled politely and entered calmly. “I missed you! So I came to see you.”

“Please don’t, Na…” Mason glanced at Brendan. “Ms. Naomi, I dare not continue that joke.”

Naomi's arrival was obvious. This had become their routine. Why would Brendan ignore such a beautiful wife?

Naomi wore a black, knee-length V-neck dress and her wavy black hair hung loosely. She was irresistible.

As she approached the table, the women were captivated. Chloe released Brendan’s arm and greeted her, “Naomi.”

Naomi ignored Chloe, focusing on Brendan’s arm. Chloe quickly explained, “Brendan just won, and I was happy for him, so…” Before she finished, Naomi pinched her wrist. “Touch him again, and I’ll chop off your hand.”

Brendan looked coldly at Naomi. “If you don’t let go, I’ll chop yours off first.”

Chloe, shaken, stepped back, rubbing her wrist. “Brendan,” she complained, her eyes red.

Brendan remained calm. “Why are you afraid of her? Sit down.”

A woman beside Mason, sensing tension, asked curiously, “Who is she, Mr. Ludwig?”

Brendan flicked ash from his cigarette. “I don’t know her.”

The men were shocked. They all knew he'd known her for twenty-three years—Naomi's age.

Naomi, angry yet amused, walked to Brendan. “It’s 2:30 AM. Time to go.”

Brendan, cigarette in hand, remained a gentleman. “Full House.” He treated her as if she were a stranger.

Chloe tried to smooth things over. “Men will be men, Naomi. Mason and the others are here too. Don't worry.”

Naomi detected the sarcasm. “Why don’t you get married, then let me play with your husband?” Chloe fell silent.

Naomi approached Mason, tapping the table. “Can you get up, Mason?” He asked, “Want to play, Ms. Naomi?”

Bailey, who'd come to help, laughed. “Only men play? What about women?”

Bailey, with her short hair and Hawaiian shirt, could easily be mistaken for a man and Naomi's lover. She offered, “Naomi, I hear the guys at this hotel's club are good. Why don’t I get you two?”

Naomi sat, unfazed, and played Mason's hand. “Three of hearts.” Brendan finally looked at her. She ignored him.