Dinner for two.
Every night.
Jade set the table carefully, two plates, two sets of cutlery, a folded napkin just the way he liked. She even added a small flower in a jar once, thinking maybe it would make him smile. That night, he didn't come home until 3 a.m.
She still did it again the next night.
And the next.
Because maybe tonight would be different.
The clock blinked 8:47 p.m.
Still no Cole.
The food was cold. Again.
She didn't touch her plate. She just sat there in the dim glow of the dining room light, listening to the soft hum of the fridge and the ticking of the clock. Her hands were folded in her lap like she was waiting for grace to arrive.
Footsteps approached from the hallway.
"Ma'am?" Evan, the housekeeper, peeked his head in gently. "Should I—should I reheat this for you?"
Jade looked up slowly, startled. She hadn't realized he was still here.
"No… thank you, Evan. I'll wait a bit longer."
He nodded, but he didn't leave.
Not right away.
He looked at the untouched plate across from her, the one meant for a husband who never came home on time. His eyes softened, but he said nothing. Just bowed slightly and returned to the kitchen.
It was the same every night.
And every night, Jade pretended it wasn't breaking her.
She heard the door open at 2:14 a.m.
Soft, quiet. Like a man sneaking into a home that only belonged to him in name.
Jade didn't move from the couch. Her eyes were open, but her body had gone still hours ago. The kind of stillness that wasn't sleep, just exhaustion of the soul.
She heard footsteps.
Then the click of Cole's office door.
Then his voice.
She stood before she knew why.
Barefoot, belly heavy, she padded down the hallway.
The office door was ajar.
She stopped.
His voice was smooth. Cold. Detached.
"She's harmless. I let her stay because it's convenient. Keeps the press quiet and the board calm."
Pause.
"No, I don't feel anything for her. I never did."
Her breath caught.
She gripped the doorframe to steady herself.
"I told you, Vivien. She wasn't supposed to be here. But she got pregnant. So I'm playing along. For now."
Jade didn't realize she was shaking until she felt the tremble in her fingertips.
Vivien again.
Always Vivien.
She backed away before the rest of his words could land.
She didn't want to hear more.
She didn't want to hear him say her name like that, so casual. Like she was just another arrangement.
By morning, she was at the stove.
Cooking.
Because routine had become her only armor.
She plated two servings. Quietly. Placed them on the table like she always did.
Cole walked in, scrolling through his phone, dressed sharp in a navy suit.
He didn't look up.
Didn't say good morning.
He just poured his coffee.
Jade cleared her throat. "I heard what you said last night."
The spoon in his cup stopped mid-stir.
He looked up, eyes unreadable. "What exactly did you hear?"
She didn't answer.
Instead, her voice softened to a whisper. "Why did you marry me, Cole?"
The silence between them stretched like glass ready to break.
He looked at her for a moment, then turned back to his coffee. "I have a meeting. Stay out of my way today."
The front door shut behind him a second later.
That afternoon, Evan found her sitting at the dining table again, a full plate untouched in front of her.
Only one this time.
No second place setting.
No folded napkin.
No hope.
He said nothing, but when he brought over a tray of tea, he placed it gently near her elbow, his eyes warm with quiet pity.
"Let me know if you need anything, Ma'am," he said softly.
She didn't answer.
Didn't have to.
The silence said enough.