Chapter 29
Nadia walked over to the massive floor–to–ceiling window.
It was only from here that she truly understood the meaning of looking down on the world.
Her eyes swept past the forest of high–rises until, to her surprise, she spotted her apartment building and even her balcony.
That small space she had filled with flowers and greenery.
Her heart suddenly sank.
She had to wonder–had Callum ever stood here, looking in that direction?
Maybe, on days she knew nothing about, their gazes had crossed… from opposite ends of the city, without either of them realizing it.
How ridiculous.
She turned away and let her eyes drift across the room.
An entire wall was taken up by a towering bookshelf filled with neatly arranged hardcovers, mostly on economics and business, with a few original Falverian editions mixed in.
Then, something caught her attention. Just to the side of the shelf, on the western wall, there was something slightly off.
As she walked closer, she noticed a barely visible seam.
A hidden door.
On impulse, she reached out and gave it a gentle push. The door opened without resistance. It wasn’t locked.
She peeked inside, and it opened into an entirely separate space.
Not a storage closet, but a fully furnished private suite.
A bed covered in charcoal gray bedding, and a sleek private bathroom tucked into the corner.
This must be Callum’s private rest area.
Along one side stood an oversized black wardrobe, lined with rows of custom–tailored suits, shirts, slacks, and a collection of ties.
As always, his wardrobe favored dark tones. He never liked flashy colors.
On an open shelf nearby sat dozens of luxury watches, cufflinks, and other high–end accessories–everything perfectly in place.
She remembered how, just a year ago, she’d given him a pair of sapphire cufflinks she had designed. It was too bad he’d never worn them, not even once.
She pulled open a small drawer, and inside was a blue velvet box. There they were, brand–new and still gleaming.
Suddenly, something clicked in her mind. She opened her handbag, checked something, then nodded to herself and turned to leave.
But just as she was about to step out, voices and footsteps echoed outside the office, growing louder.
A steady pace and a woman’s playful, flirtatious tone.
Her heart seized. Without thinking, she ducked back into the hidden room, quietly closing the door behind her, leaving only the smallest sliver open. She held her breath and peered through the narrow gap.
The office door swung open.
Callum entered first, tall and composed. Clinging sweetly to his arm was Brittany.
She wore a pretty dress, her complexion still a little pale, but her expression smug with affection and entitlement.
“Callum, you promised to pick me up from the hospital yourself, but you sent the driver instead. It was so disappointing!” Brittany pouted.
She clung to his arm, voice syrupy and whiny.
Callum’s face was unreadable, though his voice stayed calm. “An international meeting came up last minute, and it couldn’t wait. Be good and have a seat.” He gently pulled his arm back and walked behind his desk.
“Then you have to take me to that restaurant we talked about once you’re done,” Brittany said, following him with a girlish sulk.
“All right,” Callum replied absently as he opened his laptop.
“I knew you were the best. I promise I’ll be super quiet and won’t get in the way,” Brittany beamed, sliding closer.
Standing here, she felt like she already owned the title of the CEO’s wife.
Just then, a knock at the door.
Juftan walked in holding a cup of coffee.
The moment his eyes landed on Callum behind the desk, and Brittany practically draped over him, his heart dropped.
1
Julian panicked. Where was Mrs. Ford?
