“Hunter!” Derek greets me at the door with a broad smile and firm handshake. “Right on time.”
“Derek.” I return his handshake, stepping into the grand foyer. “Thank you for the invitation.”
“Olivia’s so excited to meet you.” He lowers his voice conspiratorially. “Between us, she’s been following your career for years.”
I smile. “I look forward to meeting her.” Even though I had already met her on that cliff.
The living room is filled with members of the Harrison family and close friends, all impeccably dressed. I scan the room, mentally cataloging faces, but I don’t see her.
A blonde girl approaches me, champagne flute in hand. “Hunter, isn’t it?” She kisses the air beside my cheek. “I’m Olivia, it’s so lovely to meet you.”
My stomach drops. This isn’t the girl from the cliff. Sure, she’s objectively beautiful with blonde hair styled in perfect waves, designer dress showcasing a slim figure. Yet I find myself searching the room again, looking for that dark hair and azure eyes.
Who was she if she wasn’t Derek’s daughter?
The entire reason I considered marrying Derek Harrison’s daughter was that I believed it was her.
“The pleasure’s mine,” I respond mechanically.
“Dinner will be served soon, but first,” Derek’s voice cuts through the conversation as he addresses the room. “I’d like everyone to meet my stepdaughter, Aurora, who’s finally back after her time away.”
My body freezes as a woman approaches.
It’s her.
The woman from the cliff edge stands across the room, and our eyes lock. Time freezes. Recognition flashes across her face, quickly replaced by something deeper, more intense. It’sthe same electric chemistry I felt that night, only stronger now, confirming that our connection wasn’t just my imagination.
She holds my gaze without flinching. No polite smile, no demure glance away. She meets my gaze with unflinching intensity that makes my blood run hot.
“Hunter, I’d like you to meet my stepdaughter, Aurora,” Derek says, completely oblivious to the current passing between us. “Aurora, this is Hunter Reed, CEO of Reed Technologies.”
My jaw clenches so hard I feel my teeth might crack. I pride myself on knowing everything about everyone in my orbit. Yet somehow, I missed that Derek Harrison is still in touch with his stepdaughter.
Aurora approaches with measured steps, her expression neutral. “Mr. Reed and I have already met, Dad.”
Derek raises his eyebrows. “Oh? I wasn’t aware.”
“Briefly,” I interject, my voice clipped. “At the cliff house.”
My mind races through all the information I’ve gathered about Derek. The cliff house was purchased after his marriage to Margaret, Aurora’s mother, I’m now piecing together. Aurora had mentioned that someone close to her had jumped. She must have meant her biological father.
I should have known. I should have found her the moment I started looking.
“Small world,” Derek says with a chuckle, completely missing the tension. “Hunter, I’m hoping to discuss the Westview development after dinner. I think there’s potential for our companies to partner there.”
I nod, barely hearing him. Aurora hasn’t broken eye contact, challenging me with her gaze. “Yes, small world indeed.”
“I’d like everyone’s attention,” Derek announces, tapping his glass with a silver spoon. The room quiets immediately, all eyes turning toward our host. “Hunter and I have an important announcement to make.”
The words snap me back to reality. My gaze breaks from Aurora’s.
Fuck.
The woman on the cliff edge wasn’t Olivia Harrison, the woman I’ve agreed to marry, as well as securing a huge merger. The contract is practically signed, and it not only impacts me but the Vipers too.
And now I learn that Olivia is not the woman I wanted.
Olivia appears at my side, sliding her hand into mine. I resist the urge to snatch it away, to wipe my palm against my suit after her touch. She’s nothing but a means to an end.
