Alice Kelly was amazed by how different her old friend seemed around his wife and children. She had known Aaron since she was fourteen; back then, he was a cold fish, seemingly indifferent to everything. She'd accepted his prom invitation because her then-fiancé was going with his girlfriend, and she'd hoped to make him jealous. Unfortunately, her plan failed.

By then, she'd heard rumors about him and a scholarship student, but hadn't cared enough to inquire. She never imagined he would actually marry the girl.

Alice worried about his parents' reaction. He didn't just have a secret wife; he had two secret children! Could he really think he'd get away with this unscathed?

Then again, Aaron wasn't like her. He had no attachment to his parents or social circles. Alice wasn't a fan either, but it was her reality. She loved her husband, and he loved high society. Unfortunately, he also loved someone else. Everyone knew about his mistress, though they wouldn't say it to her face. Even her mother-in-law constantly berated her for not bearing a son.

It wasn't her fault! Brock was rarely home, and when he was, he wouldn't sleep with her; he had his mistress for that.

Her heart ached watching Aaron interact with his wife. Jennica—who, Alice learned, was married to Cameron—was laughing, and a soft smile graced Aaron's face. Had Brock ever looked at her like that? Probably not.

If Aaron, the coldest person she'd ever known, could find love and genuine happiness, didn't Alice deserve the same? She'd accepted her arranged marriage to Brock, the inevitable fate of a Wheatley daughter. As a young romantic, she'd fallen for him as they were thrown together. He was her future husband; she was supposed to love him! But he'd never given her the time of day.

Seeing Aaron's children especially affected her. Alice wanted to be a mother, but that seemed unlikely as long as Brock had his mistress. Still, no child deserved to be born into such an unhappy family.

It was time to leave Brock. Falling in love with someone she chose sounded liberating.

But how could she get a divorce? The Kellys were top lawyers in New York City; they could easily prevent her from getting a good lawyer or even a divorce. They cared too much about their image, considering their son's indiscretions.

Aaron, her ally, might know good lawyers. He could help, but she didn't want to bother him; he had much on his plate. Maybe she should wait until after the takeover.

Alice sighed. There was so much love at that table. She should never have married someone who didn't love her.

Keeley, observing with a pensive expression, noticed Alice's distress. Alice didn't expect anything to come of it, but when she went to the bathroom, Aaron's wife followed.

"Kaleb needs his diaper changed," she said, smiling.

She changed the diaper in the accessible stall with a changing table, leaving Alice alone. Yet, Alice waited for her to return, hoping for advice.

Keeley was surprised to find Alice waiting. Diaper bag slung over her shoulder, she cradled her son.

"What's up?" she asked casually.

"I noticed you looking at me earlier."

"Sorry. You reminded me of myself—in a relationship, yet alone, surrounded by couples."

Alice was surprised by her perceptiveness. But Keeley couldn't be talking about her relationship; Aaron clearly adored his wife.

"You aren't talking about your husband, are you?"

A wry smile touched Keeley's lips. "No, it was someone a long time ago. He made you feel alone even when he was right beside you. But…is your husband like that?"

That described Brock perfectly. He was rarely around, and acted as if they weren't married unless his parents were present. Then, he expected her to be the perfect daughter-in-law.

Alice nodded. "I want to leave him, but his family are high-profile lawyers. I'm worried they'll blacklist me."

Keeley raised an eyebrow. "Wow, and you're telling this to a stranger?"

Alice shrugged, unfazed. "You're Aaron's wife; I trust him, so I trust you."

Alice had observed Keeley throughout dinner. Her smile and laugh were infectious, smoothing out the tension Aaron brought. She was kind, funny, and warm—the polar opposite of her icy husband. Maybe that's what Aaron liked about her.

The final promotional sentence has been removed as it is not part of the story.