“In public, we act like a married couple. In private, we’re business partners. You have your life. I have mine.”
It was exactly what she had wanted.
So why did disappointment flicker inside her?
The week passed in a strange, careful peace. Cameron worked from home, ruthless and brilliant on business calls, quieter at dinner. They spoke around personal topics, never into them.
Then came the shareholder dinner at the Four Seasons.
By then Simone had stopped hiding. She wore an elegant black dress, her hair down, no glasses.
When Cameron saw her, he went still.
“You look incredible.”
She tried to brush it off, but he held her gaze. “I mean it.”
At the dinner, the room buzzed with shock. Cameron arrived in a formal wheelchair. Simone walked beside him like she belonged there.
Then Diana Young appeared.
She was glamorous, sharp, beautiful, and visibly furious. A former ally—perhaps more—she had history with Cameron.
She smiled at Simone like a knife.
“The Harts are known for opportunism. Be careful, Cameron. Your little wife might be using you.”
Before Simone could respond, Cameron said coldly, “My marriage is none of your business.”
Diana leaned closer, ready to strike again.
And then Cameron stood.
The entire ballroom went silent.
He rose smoothly to his full height, adjusted a loose strand of hair, and offered Simone his hand.
Her mind stopped.
He could walk.
He had never been paralyzed.
When she took his hand, he tucked it into his arm and guided her from the ballroom while chaos exploded behind them.
Back at the penthouse, Simone rounded on him.
“You lied to me.”
“Yes,” Cameron said calmly.
