Chapter 1
On my way to pick up my husband, his secretary blocked my path. “His real wife and son are upstairs.” I covered my daughter's ears and called my third brother. “I want his entire empire to come crashing down tonight.”
“You can't go upstairs, ma'am. Mr. Brooks' wife and son are already inside.”
The words came out of Lauren's mouth with a sharp, degrading tone that felt like a slap to my face.
I stood frozen at the entrance of the Grand Regency Hotel in Manhattan, with the rain from New York City drumming against the glass while my six-year-old daughter, Grace, clung to my hand. Pressed against her chest was a poster board decorated with hand-drawn stars and a paper necktie. She had spent the afternoon crafting this gift for her father.
I had only wanted to surprise Nathan.
He claimed he had an important dinner, a meeting where family was forbidden because “important investors” would be present. But Grace had insisted on giving him the gift, so I took a taxi from Queens to Manhattan, my shoes damp from the puddles.
Lauren, his secretary, blocked the private elevator, her expression devoid of warmth.
“Perhaps you failed to understand,” she said, looking me over. “This is a private event for partners and legitimate family. Not for... uninvited guests.”
My chest tightened.
“I am Nathan Brooks' wife,” I managed to say.
Lauren chuckled coldly.
“His wife? That is amusing. His true wife is upstairs—Victoria Hayes. And his son, Oliver, is there too. The boy Nathan is actually proud of.”
Grace looked at me, confused.
“Mommy... what does she mean? Does Daddy have another son?”
I quickly covered her ears before Lauren could continue her cruelty.
But the damage was already done.
My daughter had heard far too much.
Nearby guests looked on, their faces twisted with judgment. They observed me with distain, as if I were nothing more than an ugly spot on the expensive marble.
Lauren moved closer, whispering viciously.
“Listen, Emily, do not cause a scene. Nathan is closing a massive deal. Victoria comes from a high-powered family; her father is a partner here. You are just a teacher with a dusty marriage certificate and a child he no longer wants. Leave now, or I will call security.”
Grace began to sob quietly.
That sound finally broke me.
It wasn't just grief; it was a long-simmering anger that had been held down by my own patience and the naive belief that Nathan would eventually value my sacrifices.
I knelt to comfort my daughter, whispering,
“Darling, keep your ears covered. Mommy has a very important call to make.”
Lauren crossed her arms, mocking me.
“Who will you call? Your principal? Someone to take you home?”
I pulled out my phone.
For eight years, I had kept my true identity a secret. To Nathan, I was just Emily Reed, a teacher and the daughter of a seamstress from Albany. He was unaware that Reed was my mother's maiden name.
My father's name was Carter.
In New York City, that name was whispered in fear.
My eldest brother was a powerful senator, and my second brother controlled massive construction and investment firms. But my third brother, Marcus Carter, operated in the shadows. He didn't seek fame or attention. He didn't officially own a thing.
However, a huge portion of the New York City police force owed him, and the rest were terrified of him.
I dialed his secret number.
He answered immediately.
“Emily,” Marcus said, his voice terrifyingly calm. “What is the situation?”
I locked eyes with Lauren.
“I am at the Grand Regency Hotel. Nathan is upstairs pretending another woman is his wife. His secretary just told Grace that her father has another family.”
There was a long pause.
Only silence followed.
Then Marcus asked,
“Did the little girl cry?”
I looked at Grace, who was shivering.
“Yes.”
My brother's tone turned cold and dangerous.
“Tell me exactly what you want.”
I squeezed the phone.
May you like
“I want his empire to fall tonight.”
And for the first time, Lauren stopped smiling.
