Chapter 1

My husband finally comes to one prenatal appointment and walks out five minutes later for an "emergency."

I'm eight months pregnant, and this is the first appointment Ethan has managed to attend.

We barely make it through the hospital doors when his encrypted government phone starts buzzing.

A name flashes across the screen.

Ethan, normally calm under pressure, suddenly looks tense.

"Baby, it's a priority federal alert. An international fugitive just entered the country. I have to go."

He gives me a quick apology and rushes out before I can answer.

I stand there clutching my appointment paperwork as his SUV speeds away.

An international fugitive?

What a joke.

My father runs a federal law-enforcement agency. If there were an alert that serious, I'd know about it.

So what emergency could possibly have my husband running out on his wife when she's eight months pregnant?

I hail a cab.

"Follow that SUV."

The driver glances at my stomach in the mirror.

"Cheating husband?"

"That's what we're about to find out."

He hits the gas.

I don't know where Ethan is going, but the sick feeling in my stomach gets worse with every turn.

Finally, his SUV pulls into an upscale gated community.

I exhale.

At least it's not a hotel.

Ethan bought a house here after becoming chief. We lived here briefly before my first pregnancy, until he insisted we move closer to the hospital.

But today, luxury cars line the street outside the house.

Flowers and decorations cover the entrance.

It looks like someone is throwing a huge party.

I start toward the gate, but a security guard blocks me.

"Private event, ma'am."

"I'm Ethan Cole's wife."

The guard looks me up and down.

Then he laughs.

"Chief Cole's wife is Chloe Hayes."

My entire body goes still.

"What?"

"Maybe figure out who you're impersonating before you try something like this."

Chloe Hayes.

The woman my family once helped because she had the rare blood type I needed.

I push past him.

"Sienna! Ma'am, you can't—"

I don't stop.

The house is packed with local officials, senior officers, their spouses, and people I recognize from political circles.

Then I see Diane.

My mother-in-law, who usually avoids social events, is moving through the room like a proud hostess.

And beside her, Ethan is holding a baby, feeding him a bottle with one hand while smiling down at the petite woman pressed against his side.

Years ago, during my first pregnancy, doctors warned that my rare Rh-negative blood type could complicate delivery.

My family found Chloe through a donor network.

She was a struggling college student back then. We covered her medical expenses and tuition.

After I gave birth, Ethan wanted nothing more to do with her.

I felt bad for her.

So I helped her get a stable administrative job at Ethan's department.

I even asked Ethan to check on her from time to time.

And this is how they repay me.

The house Ethan once told me was meant for us has become their home.

They even have a baby.

"Congratulations, Chief Cole!" a woman calls. "Beautiful wife, beautiful son. You've got everything."

Diane beams.

"Ethan's the lucky one. Chloe is the best daughter-in-law I could've asked for."

Ethan leans down and whispers something in Chloe's ear.

She blushes.

"I know some of you wondered why Ethan and I kept our marriage private. We didn't want our personal life affecting his position." She smiles.

"But today is Theo's three-month celebration, so please eat, drink, and enjoy yourselves."

The room erupts in congratulations.

One of Ethan's officers laughs.

"Forget the baby celebration. You two still owe us a wedding toast!"

"Come on, Chief! Kiss your wife!"

Chloe waves them off, embarrassed.

Ethan only laughs and slides an arm around her waist.

Someone hands them two glasses of champagne.

They link arms and Ethan raises his glass—then he sees me.

He shoves Chloe away so fast that champagne spills down the front of her dress.

"Sienna..."

I wipe the tears from my face and walk straight toward them.

Then I slap him.

The entire room goes silent.

Chloe gasps.

"Ethan!"

She rushes toward him, then turns on me.

"Sienna, how dare—"

My second slap sends her stumbling back into Ethan's arms.

My palm burns.

I don't care.

Ethan finally snaps out of his shock.

"Sienna—"

"Ethan Cole!"

My voice cuts over his.

I stare straight into his eyes.

"So this is the 'international fugitive' you had to run out on your pregnant wife for?"