Ariana POV
I didn't have a photo, so I described the woman's face to Dibby instead.
Dibby didn't need much to go on.
She had access to back-end databases that most people didn't even know existed.
"Kayla," Dibby said, her fingers flying across her laptop keyboard. "Five years ago. Ivan's company."
We were huddled in her office, the blinds drawn tight against the afternoon sun.
"Got something," she muttered.
She turned the screen toward me.
It was a personnel file from Donovan Enterprises.
Kayla Reese.
Former Executive Assistant to the CEO.
"She resigned five years ago," Dibby said, scanning the fine print. "Reason for leaving: Personal. But look at this note in the security log."
I leaned in closer.
Security breach. Confidential settlement.
"She was paid to leave," Dibby said. "A lot of money."
"Maybe she stole something?" I asked, grasping at straws.
"Maybe," Dibby said. "But look at the severance package. It's monthly. And it's still active."
I felt the blood drain from my face.
"They are still paying her?"
"Every month on the first," Dibby confirmed.
I needed to see it for myself.
That evening, I went to Ivan's penthouse.
He was in the shower. The sound of running water masked my movements.
I had never snooped before.
I had always respected his privacy because I thought we were partners.
Now, I felt like a spy in enemy territory.
I slipped into his home office.
His desk was usually locked, but I knew the key was in the top drawer.
I opened the bottom file cabinet.
There was a folder labeled Education.
My breath hitched. We didn't have children.
I opened it.
My hands were shaking so hard I almost dropped the papers.
It was a tuition bill for a prestigious private kindergarten.
Leo Reese.
The address on the bill matched a P.O. Box in the city.
The account paying the bill was signed by Richard Donovan.
Suddenly, I heard the water stop running in the bathroom.
I shoved the folder back and locked the desk.
My heart was pounding so hard I thought it would crack my ribs.
I managed to get to the sofa and sat down, pretending to read a magazine.
Ivan emerged a moment later, a towel around his waist, water dripping from his hair.
He looked like a Greek god.
And he looked like a liar.
"Hey beautiful," he said, leaning down to kiss me.
I turned my head at the last second so his lips hit my cheek.
"I'm going to see your parents tomorrow," I said, my voice surprisingly steady. "For wedding planning."
"Great," he said, oblivious. "Mom is excited."
The next day, I stood outside the study door at the Donovan estate again.
I wasn't an accidental eavesdropper this time.
I was on the hunt.
"The tuition went up," Eleanor was saying. "We handled it."
"We have compensated Kayla for five years," Richard's voice was heavy with irritation. "When does it end?"
"It ends when Ivan is married and the merger is complete," Eleanor said coldly. "We cannot have a bastard child ruining the stock price before the deal closes."
The world tilted on its axis.
I grabbed the doorframe to steady myself.
A bastard child.
Leo.
Leo was Ivan's son.
I backed away, my legs feeling like jelly.
I stumbled down the hallway, gasping for air.
I made it to my car and locked the doors.
I sat there, gripping the steering wheel, screaming a scream that made no sound.
Everything was a lie.
Every smile, every gift, every "I love you."
It was all a cover-up for a five-year-old secret named Leo.
