Chapter 4 - THE WOMAN HE NEVER KNEW
Grant refused to believe it.
Not because Claire loved him.
Not because she had been his wife for six years.
Because he knew Claire.
Or at least he had believed he did.
“She wouldn't sabotage the company.”
Daniel leaned against the conference table.
“She had access through your home computer.”
“That proves nothing.”
“The leak happened twelve hours after she left.”
Grant's gaze hardened.
“Then somebody wants it to look like her.”
Daniel studied him.
“You're certain?”
“Yes.”
That certainty surprised them both.
The board did not share it.
By afternoon, Mercer Development's general counsel wanted Claire questioned.
Grant refused.
By evening, the story leaked to financial media.
Mercer Development shares were privately valued lower.
Two investors suspended negotiations.
The Hudson project threatened to collapse.
Grant should have been consumed by it.
Instead, at 6:40 p.m., he stood across the street from an old warehouse in Brooklyn.
He had not followed Claire.
Rachel had finally given him the address after he promised not to approach her unless she wanted him there.
Through tall windows, Grant saw children painting a mural.
Claire stood among them.
Paint covered her jeans.
Her hair was tied messily behind her head.
She was laughing.
Grant froze.
He had forgotten that laugh.
Not the polite laugh she used at corporate dinners.
Not the quiet breath of amusement she gave him when he made some dry joke.
This was Claire before money.
Claire before Mercer Development.
Claire before he had mistaken exhaustion for ambition and ambition for purpose.
A little girl painted a blue streak across Claire's arm.
Claire gasped theatrically.
The children erupted in laughter.
Grant smiled despite himself.
Then Ethan Cole walked over.
Tall.
Calm.
Annoyingly handsome.
He handed Claire a coffee.
She smiled at him.
Grant's smile disappeared.
Jealousy rose instantly.
Then shame followed.
He had ignored his wife for years and now resented another man for remembering her coffee.
Grant turned away.
“Mr. Mercer?”
He stopped.
Ethan stood behind him.
Grant hadn't heard the door open.
“You're Ethan Cole.”
“And you're the man pretending not to watch his wife through my window.”
Grant's jaw tightened.
“I wasn't—”
“You were.”
Fair.
“Is she happy here?”
Ethan's expression changed.
“Sometimes.”
Grant looked through the window.
“Is there something between you?”
Ethan almost laughed.
“You really don't know her anymore, do you?”
Grant stepped closer.
“Answer the question.”
“No.”
Grant waited.
Ethan continued.
“I offered Claire a job because she's talented. I offered her a studio because she needed somewhere to work. And I hugged her because eleven months ago, my sister was in the hospital room next to hers.”
Grant's anger vanished.
“What?”
“My sister lost a pregnancy the same night Claire did.”
Ethan looked through the glass.
“They met in a grief group afterward.”
Grant felt another piece of Claire's hidden life reveal itself.
“She never mentioned you.”
“She barely mentioned you.”
That hurt.
Ethan wasn't finished.
“But when she did, she defended you.”
Grant looked at him.
“Every time.”
“Why?”
“Because she loved you.”
Past tense.
Grant looked away.
Ethan folded his arms.
“If you came here to drag her back because your pride is injured, leave.”
“I didn't.”
“If you came because another man standing near her suddenly made you realize she has value, leave faster.”
Grant's eyes narrowed.
“And if I came because I finally understand what I did?”
“Then don't tell her.”
Grant frowned.
“Show her.”
The door opened.
Claire stepped outside.
She stopped when she saw Grant.
Ethan quietly returned inside.
Grant kept several feet between them.
“I won't stay.”
“Then why are you here?”
“I wanted to see that you're okay.”
“You could've asked Rachel.”
“I did.”
Claire almost smiled.
Of course he had.
Grant pulled something from his coat.
Her wedding ring.
Claire's expression tightened.
“I found it.”
“I know.”
“I brought it because I thought maybe you dropped it accidentally.”
“I didn't.”
Grant nodded.
He held it out.
Claire stared at the ring but didn't take it.
“Keep it.”
His hand fell.
“Why?”
“I don't want it right now.”
“Right now?”
He hated how much hope those two words gave him.
Claire noticed.
“Don't.”
“I'm not asking you to come back.”
“Good.”
“I'm asking one question.”
She waited.
“Did you leak the Hudson documents?”
Her face went cold.
Grant immediately regretted it.
“You think I did?”
“No.”
“Then why ask?”
“Because someone used your credentials.”
Claire froze.
“What?”
“The environmental reports were leaked through your old company login.”
“I haven't used that account in months.”
“I know.”
“How?”
“I checked.”
Claire folded her arms.
“So you investigated me.”
“I investigated the breach.”
“Same difference.”
“Claire, whoever did this knew you were leaving.”
Silence.
That landed.
“When did you decide to leave?”
“Thursday.”
“Did anyone know beforehand?”
Claire thought.
“My therapist knew I was considering it. Rachel knew I was unhappy.”
“Anyone else?”
She hesitated.
“Melissa.”
Grant frowned.
“My assistant?”
Claire nodded.
“She called me Wednesday.”
“Why?”
“She said you were worried about me.”
Grant stared.
“I never told her that.”
Claire's face changed.
“What?”
“I didn't ask Melissa to call you.”
They looked at each other.
A cold understanding passed between them.
Grant's phone rang.
Daniel.
Grant answered.
“Tell me.”
Daniel sounded tense.
“We traced the login.”
Grant looked at Claire.
“And?”
“It came from inside Mercer Tower.”
“Whose terminal?”
A pause.
“Melissa's.”
Grant's eyes lifted to Claire.
But Daniel continued.
“And Grant?”
“What?”
“Security footage shows she wasn't alone.”
Grant's stomach tightened.
“Who was with her?”
May you like
Daniel answered.
“Me.”
