Grace Morgan's POV

My burned hand was the accessory that I never asked for but now serves as a constant reminder of the dangers of Derek's different mood. I stared at my reflection in the mirror, and the black dress I had chosen for the party seemed to match the darkness of my thoughts. The off-the-shoulder design and intricate lace detailing added a touch of elegance. I decided on a sleek, low bun hairstyle to complement the sophistication of the dress, allowing me to feel put together despite the chaos within me.

Two large arms wrapped around me from behind, pulling me into a warm embrace that momentarily eased my troubled mind. The familiar scent of Derek's cologne enveloped me, offering a sense of comfort amidst the uncertainty. I was supposed to hate him for all those terrible things he ever did to me, yet in that moment, all I could feel was a sense of familiarity in his arms. The conflicting emotions within me made it hard to push him away, despite the past betrayals.

"You look so pretty, darling," he whispered softly in my ear, his words causing a flutter in my chest. I couldn't deny the effect he still had on me, even after everything we had been through.

I turned around and fixed his bow tie, our eyes locking in a silent understanding. Despite the hurt and pain, there was still a connection between us that I couldn't ignore. It was a reminder of the complicated history we shared, one that I wasn't sure I was ready to let go of just yet.

His lips brushed against mine, igniting a familiar spark that made me question everything I thought I knew about moving on. Our past betrayals seemed insignificant in that moment, overshadowed by the undeniable chemistry that still existed between us.

"The chauffeur is waiting outside," he said, breaking the tension between us. I took a deep breath, feeling torn between the past and the uncertain future that lay ahead.

"Let's go," I whispered, my heart racing with conflicting emotions.

As we stepped out into the cool night air, I couldn't help but steal glances at him, trying to decipher the thoughts behind his intense gaze. The drive to our destination was filled with a heavy silence, the weight of our unspoken words hanging in the air between us. It was as if we were both afraid to break the fragile peace that had settled over us, afraid of what truths might be revealed in the darkness of the night.

The streetlights flickered overhead, casting long shadows across his face as we drove. I couldn't shake the feeling that this night would change everything. Soon, the city lights began to fade in the distance as we approached our destination.

As we pulled up to the party venue, I could see the twinkling lights and hear the distant sounds of music and laughter beckoning us inside. The place was a grand old mansion, with its towering pillars and sweeping staircase creating an air of sophistication and mystery. I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement mixed with trepidation as we stepped out of the car and made our way towards the entrance. I've been here before once; this is my second time.

The guests were dressed to the nines, with women in elegant dresses and men in sharp suits. It felt like a scene from a movie as we entered the grand foyer, greeted by the sounds of clinking glasses and lively chatter. The atmosphere was electric as we mingled with other partygoers, all decked out in their finest attire. It was a night to remember, filled with laughter, dancing, and a touch of glamour that only a mansion party could provide.

Every year, Derek's office throws this extravagant event, and each time it never fails to impress. The mansion's opulent decor and sprawling grounds added to the air of sophistication and luxury that permeated the evening.

"You finally made it, Grace," Ava exclaimed, offering me a glass of champagne. "I'm so glad you could join us." I smiled, feeling grateful for the invitation to such a spectacular event. Ava is a colleague of Derek, and she always goes out of her way to make everyone feel welcome at these gatherings.

"Derek, nice suit—it looks like you're ready to dance the night away," Ava teased, admiring his sharp attire. Derek chuckled and replied, "Only the best for a party like this."

I noticed that Ava held Derek's hand while smiling, making it look like a friendly gesture. I couldn't help but wonder if there was something more between them than just a friendly connection. Anyone can hold hands, right? I thought to brush off my suspicions and enjoy the party instead.

After exchanging playful banter with Ava, Derek excused himself to grab a drink from the bar. As he walked across the room, I couldn't help but notice Ava's eyes following him with a sly grin. Maybe there was more to their relationship than met the eye. Despite my curiosity, I decided to focus on enjoying the party and socializing with other guests instead of dwelling on their potential connection. Maybe I'm thinking too much about it.

I settle down and stare at the people around me, trying to push those thoughts to the back of my mind. Sometimes it's best to just let things unfold naturally without overanalyzing every little

details. Suddenly, it felt like the time stopped as I lost myself in the music when I saw him. My heart raced as he made his way towards me, a smile playing on his lips. Butterflies fluttered in my stomach, and my eyes felt drawn to his every move. This sexy man in a black suit was none other than Zane Devlin.

I got up from my seat and nervously smoothed out my dress, trying to appear composed as he approached. As he finally reached me, I couldn't help but feel a rush of excitement at the unexpected encounter.

"Grace Baker, we meet again," a sudden female voice interrupted, causing me to turn and see a stunning woman standing beside Zane. I was stunned as I realized it was Freya Adair, my neighbor from earlier. I stared confusingly at Freya, wondering what connection she had to Zane. Before I could say anything, Freya flashed a knowing smile and whispered, "It looks like we have more in common than just being neighbors."

"You two know each other?" I asked, feeling a mix of surprise and curiosity. Freya chuckled softly before responding, "Oh, well, he is my boyfriend."

My heart dropped as I processed Freya's words. Zane, her boyfriend?

As I tried to make sense of the situation, Zane stepped forward and wrapped an arm around Freya's waist, confirming her statement. I felt a pang of jealousy and confusion wash over me as I struggled to understand the dynamics of their relationship. What was I even thinking? I'm married, I have a husband, and I should not even think about pursuing anything with Zane. This realization hit me like a ton of bricks, causing me to take a step back and reevaluate my feelings. Perhaps it was just a fleeting moment of attraction that I needed to let go of.

"You won't believe it, baby. Me and Grace met this morning at the coffee shop, and we ended up talking for hours," Zane said excitedly, snapping me out of my thoughts. As much as I wanted to feel happy for him, a small part of me couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that lingered within me. Did he say that part to her where he was asking for my number? I guess not.

"The world is such a small place sometimes," I replied, trying to mask my true emotions.

"So do you work for this firm as well?" Freya asked.

"No, it's my husband; he works there, Derek Baker." I replied back.

"Oh, he's the senior manager there, right? I've heard good things about him." Zane said, making me wonder what exactly he had heard about my husband. Then again, Derek is really good at what he does, so it's not surprising that his reputation precedes him.

"What about you? Do you work here too?" I asked while staring at Zane with curiosity.

"No, I work at the city hospital; I'm a psychiatrist," Zane replied with a smile. "It's Freya who works here."

"You should have my card; if you need any sessions, just ask me." Zane handed me his card with a smile.

I nodded, impressed by Zane's profession. "Thank you; I'll keep that in mind," I replied with a smile. It was always good to know a psychiatrist, just in case. I couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration for both of them and their dedication to their respective careers.

Although deep down, a thought crossed my mind that maybe they are not as perfect as they look. Just like my life, theirs could be broken like a glass window waiting to shatter at any moment. The grass always appears greener on the other side. After all, nobody can have a perfect relationship.

Zane Devlin, Are you happy in this relationship? Or are you just like me, good at masking your true feelings and pretending everything is okay?

"What happened to your hand?" Freya asked, pointing to the bandage on my hand, breaking me out of my thoughts. I hesitated for a moment before replying , "Oh, it's nothing serious. Just a little accident in the kitchen." But deep down, I knew it was a physical manifestation of the cracks in my seemingly perfect facade.

I stared at my watch and realized that I needed to find Derek, as it's been getting late. It's my fault for not being with him all this time. I should have been by his side during this party, yet here I was getting mesmerized by someone else's man.

"Now, if you would excuse me, I need to go find Derek," I said with a forced smile before quickly making my way through the crowded room. Guilt gnawed at my insides as I scanned the sea of faces, wondering if he was looking for me too. The music throbbed in my ears, drowning out the sound of my own racing heart as I navigated the maze of bodies.

Derek would be angry if he saw me talking to Zane and not being with him. My mind raced with thoughts of how to explain myself, but I knew deep down that I had crossed a line.

I saw a familiar face—one of Derek's colleagues. I approached him with a smile.

"Hey, have you seen Derek around?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady despite the nervous flutter in my stomach. Without saying much, he pointed me in the direction of the backyard. As I made my way through the crowd, I couldn't shake the feeling that I had betrayed Derek's trust by talking to Zane.

As I reached the backyard, I was met with a beautiful scene. The lush green lawn was freshly mowed, and colorful flowers adorned the edges of the yard. A cozy seating area with string lights hung above provided a warm, inviting atmosphere. Despite the inner turmoil I was feeling, the peaceful ambiance of the backyard helped to calm my nerves.

As I walked deeper into the backyard, I heard the sound of moaning and pleasure coming from under a canopy. Curious, I made my way over and saw Derek and Ava locked in a passionate embrace, kissing each other with abandon.

I blinked in surprise. My heart sank as I realized they had betrayed me by hiding their relationship from me. Feeling hurt and betrayed, I turned away, unable to witness any more of their intimate moments. A mix of anger, sadness, and confusion swirled in my mind as I tried to process what had just happened. With a heavy heart, I made my way back into the party, unsure of how to confront Derek and Ava about their secret affair.

I should have known the moment when they started avoiding eye contact and acting strangely around each other. The signs were there, but I chose to ignore them, hoping it was all in my head. Is it the reason why Derek hated me so much for questioning his loyalty? Was Ava really using me as a cover for her betrayal? These questions plagued my thoughts as I struggled to come to terms with the harsh reality of their deception. So bringing me all those gifts was just a way to distract me from the truth.

As my head spun and I saw blurry faces, the truth hit me like a ton of bricks. Derek and Ava had been having an affair right under my nose. The betrayal cut deep, leaving me reeling as I fell into a state of shock. How could I have been so blind to their deceit? All those moments that seemed innocent now make sense in light of their secret relationship. With each passing second, the world around me faded into void, mirroring the darkness that now clouded my mind and heart.