Chapter 1: The Anniversary Joke
The first thing my husband did on our tenth wedding anniversary was throw me into a swimming pool in front of one hundred guests.
The second thing he did was laugh.
And the third thing he did was tell me to stop embarrassing him.
I wish I could say I saw it coming.
But ten years of marriage had taught me to recognize Brandon Carter's moods, not the cruelty he'd become capable of displaying in public.
The party had taken three weeks to organize. White roses decorated the entrance to our mansion outside Atlanta, Georgia. Hundreds of tiny lights hung above the swimming pool, reflecting against the water like stars.
A string quartet played near the outdoor terrace. Waiters carried trays of champagne. Business executives, family friends, and several members of Brandon's board of directors filled the garden.
I had chosen an elegant champagne-colored dress with delicate crystal details.
Brandon had insisted on inviting his entire executive team.
"It's important for people to see that we're still strong after ten years," he'd told me.
I thought he meant our marriage.
Apparently, he meant his public image.
"Emily, sweetheart!""
My mother, Margaret, approached me with a smile.
She adjusted the small diamond necklace around my neck.
"You look beautiful.""
"Thank you, Mom.""
"Where's Brandon?""
I glanced toward the bar.
"There.""
Brandon stood beside a tall blonde woman wearing a tight black dress.
Vanessa Reed.
His twenty-nine-year-old executive assistant.
For the past eight months, I'd watched her become increasingly comfortable around my husband. She attended meetings that had nothing to do with her position, traveled with him on business trips, and somehow always appeared whenever he hosted private dinners.
I'd asked Brandon about it twice.
Both times, he'd called me insecure.
Now Vanessa was holding his arm.
Her fingers rested against his jacket as she leaned close to whisper something into his ear.
He laughed.
Not the polite laugh he gave business associates.
The genuine one I'd once believed belonged only to me.
I approached them.
"Brandon, can I borrow you for a minute?""
He barely looked at me.
"What is it?""
"I wanted to take our anniversary photograph before dinner.""
Vanessa glanced at my dress.
"Oh, Emily, you're so traditional.""
I smiled politely.
"It's our tenth anniversary. I thought a photograph would be nice.""
She laughed.
"Don't be so possessive. He's busy.""
I turned toward my husband.
"Can I have five minutes with my own husband?""
Brandon finally faced me.
His expression changed.
"Do you have to do this right now?""
"Do what?""
"Act like I'm doing something wrong every time I talk to another woman.""
"I asked you for a photograph.""
Vanessa lifted her champagne glass.
"Brandon, I think your wife needs a vacation.""
Several people nearby chuckled.
I felt heat creeping up my neck.
"Vanessa, this is a private conversation.""
She widened her eyes.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't realize I wasn't allowed to speak.""
Brandon shook his head.
"See? This is exactly what I'm talking about.""
I stared at him.
"You're standing with your secretary at our anniversary party. I'm asking for one photograph. How is that unreasonable?""
His jaw tightened.
Then he looked over my shoulder toward the swimming pool.
A strange smile appeared on his face.
"Maybe you need to lighten up.""
"Brandon—"
He placed both hands against my shoulders.
I thought he was going to move past me.
Instead, he shoved.
Hard.
My heels slipped against the wet stone.
My arms flew outward.
For one terrible second, I saw the faces of our guests.
Then the water swallowed me.
The cold hit my chest. My expensive dress twisted around my legs, and my necklace caught briefly against the fabric.
I struggled upward.
When I surfaced, I heard laughter.
Vanessa was practically doubled over.
"Oh my God! Brandon! You actually did it!""
Brandon stood at the pool's edge, laughing with her.
"Anything to make my favorite girl smile.""
A few guests laughed awkwardly.
Others looked away.
I grabbed the pool ladder and pulled myself out.
Water streamed from my hair. My dress clung to my body. One of my earrings was missing.
I searched the crowd for my husband.
He pointed toward the mansion.
"Go change. You're embarrassing me in front of my investors.""
I stared at him.
"You pushed your wife into a swimming pool.""
He shrugged.
"It was a joke, Emily. Stop being dramatic.""
Vanessa approached him and brushed a water droplet from his sleeve.
"Don't worry, Brandon. I thought it was hilarious.""
Something inside me went very quiet.
For years, I'd made excuses for this man.
I'd told myself his long hours were necessary. His temper was temporary. His increasingly expensive gifts were signs that he still cared.
I'd even convinced myself that Vanessa was simply ambitious.
But standing there, soaked and humiliated, I finally understood something.
Brandon didn't respect me.
He respected what I represented.
The beautiful house. The expensive parties. The family connections.
And the financial security he'd enjoyed since the beginning of our marriage.
I reached into my waterproof handbag.
My phone was still working.
Brandon frowned.
"Who are you calling?""
"My father.""
He laughed.
"Seriously? You're calling Daddy because you got wet?""
I ignored him.
The phone rang twice.
Then Richard Carter answered.
"Emily? Is everything all right?""
I looked directly at my husband.
"Dad, remember the shares you placed in our family trust when Brandon started his company?""
There was a brief silence.
"Of course. Why?""
I took a breath.
"I think it's time we exercised our seventy-five percent voting rights.""
Brandon stopped laughing.
"What?""
I continued.
"I want the board to begin the process of removing Brandon as CEO.""
The entire terrace seemed to go silent.
My father asked one question.
"Emily, did something happen?""
I looked at the man I'd married.
"Yes, Dad. My husband just threw me into a swimming pool to entertain his secretary.""
Then I put the call on speaker.
May you like
And my father said something that made Brandon's face lose every trace of color.
"Brandon, I suggest you explain yourself before Monday morning.""
