I’m Not Your Second Choice

Terrance Burgess slapped me in front of the entire company, all because I accidentally knocked over his assistant's vase.

My five-year-old son, Claude Burgess, stood off to the side, clapping like it was something worth cheering for.

Afterward, the assistant walked up to me while holding the bouquet the father and son had given her, showing it off right in my face.

"So what if you're the wife? The one who isn't loved is the real outsider."

I looked at her calmly. "Then you'd better watch yourself. If he can have you on the side, he can just as easily find someone else after you."

I used to think I had a happy, complete family.

Until Terrance's assistant came along and made me realize it had all been in my head. The love from that father and son had already moved on to someone else.

That was the moment something in me went completely still. I called a number I hadn't contacted in years.

"Dad, I want to come home and take over the family business."

[I booked you a red-eye flight. Keep an eye on the time.]

Ten minutes after I told my father I was going back to take over the family business, I got that message.

I had been playing the role of an ordinary person in front of the Burgesses for far too long. It was time to go back and inherit what was mine.

Just as I was about to reply, Terrance Burgess and Claude Burgess suddenly showed up behind me, leaning in to peek at my phone.

"A flight? What flight?" Terrance only caught the last few words and frowned. "Are you going back home?"

I gave a small nod. I didn't feel like lying to them.

"Yeah, right. Grandpa and Grandma are dirt poor. Why would you go back?"

Claude crossed his arms, his tone dripping with disdain.

"You're just mad that Dad hit you earlier, and you're trying to make a scene for us. You smashed Stephanie's favorite vase. Of course, he hit you. What did you expect?

"Stephanie's already being nice about it and letting it go. If it were anyone else with her family's power, you wouldn't even last a day in this city. You should hurry up, take her out to dinner, and apologize properly."

Claude had no idea who I really was. There was no way Stephanie Blunt could ever come close to my family's background.

Back when I first got together with Terrance, I hid my identity so I wouldn't bruise his pride. I stayed by his side as just another ordinary woman.

Later, when he started his business and grew it into something big, my parents had been quietly supporting him every step of the way.

I had planned to come clean next week.

Now, there was no need. I was leaving anyway.

Before I could respond, Terrance spoke up and shut Claude down.

"She can apologize to Stephanie another day. We're celebrating her birthday today.