Chapter 1: The Hidden Truth Behind the Prize
The envelope felt heavier than it should have.
Not because of the paper—but because of what it represented.
“Ethan!” I called, forcing excitement into my voice. “Come look at this!”
My husband, Ethan Cole, stepped into the kitchen, loosening his tie. He looked worn out—the kind of exhaustion that comes from chasing a life just out of reach.
“What is it?” he muttered. “Another bill?”
“No,” I said, handing it over. “Remember that travel giveaway I entered? We won. A week at a five-star resort in the Maldives. Everything covered.”
He scanned the voucher—and I watched the shift happen instantly.
The fatigue vanished. In its place: hunger.
“A luxury resort?” he said, pulling out his phone. “Do you have any idea what this costs? This is insane.”
He grinned.
“Finally… I get to live the life I deserve.”
Not we. Him.
I smiled anyway. “I thought it could be good for us. And for Leo—he’d love the ocean.”
“Yeah, sure,” Ethan said distractedly, already typing. “I’m calling my dad. And Sophie. We’re not going alone—we need to make an impression.”
My stomach tightened.
“I thought it could just be us,” I said carefully. “Your father… he’s hard on Leo.”
“Don’t start,” Ethan snapped. “Dad’s just tough. And Sophie needs a break. They’re coming.”
He didn’t know the truth.
There was no contest.
Three months earlier, my grandfather—whom Ethan believed was a retired mechanic—passed away and left me control of a massive global corporation worth billions.
I had quietly purchased the resort chain soon after.
I stayed silent.
I needed to know whether Ethan loved me—or what I could give him.
—
Three days later, we stood on the runway.
The private jet—part of the “prize package”—waited behind us.
Ethan’s sister, Sophie, arrived in oversized designer sunglasses, dragging luxury luggage that looked expensive… but wasn’t.
She glanced at my simple dress and sandals.
“Seriously?” she sighed. “You look like you’re heading to a grocery store. Try not to embarrass us.”
She shoved her bag into my hands.
“Hold this.”
I looked at Ethan.
He was laughing with his father, already celebrating.
So I boarded last—carrying their bags onto a plane I owned… heading to a place that belonged to me.
One week, I told myself.
Just one week to see who they really are.
—
Chapter 2: Paradise Turned Ugly
The resort was breathtaking—overwater villas, glass walkways, endless blue ocean.
At reception, staff lined up to greet us.
The general manager, Victor Hale, met my eyes briefly.
I gave the smallest shake of my head.
Don’t say anything.
He understood immediately.
“Welcome, Mr. Cole,” he said smoothly to Ethan.
Ethan straightened, acting like he owned the place.
“Make sure we get the best villa,” he said. “And bring drinks. Fast.”
Victor nodded, though I could see the tension in his jaw.
—
The next two days were miserable.
They relaxed.
I worked.
Running errands. Fetching things. Taking photos for Ethan’s social media.
“Angle it better!” he barked from the pool. “You’re making me look bad.”
By the third night, we were at the resort’s most exclusive restaurant—surrounded by glass walls filled with marine life.
Sophie, already tipsy, smirked at me.
“So,” she said loudly, “you still doing those little drawings?”
“I’m an illustrator,” I replied quietly.
She laughed.
“That’s a fancy way of saying unemployed.”
Ethan said nothing.
His father grunted. “She’s too small-town. No ambition.”
The word stung.
Small-town.
