Chapter 13 Alex and I had what the media called " the wedding of the century . " Standing in that cathedral , watching Alex walk down the aisle toward me in his perfectly tailored tuxedo , I truly believed my fairy tale was just beginning . The reception was held at the Plaza , with five hundred of the city's elite in attendance . Everyone kept telling me how lucky I was , how perfect we looked together . " You're glowing , " Alex whispered in my ear during our first dance . " Mrs. Winters . " The way he said it made my heart flutter all over again . True to his word , Alex helped me reopen my restaurant . This time it wasn't just a small family diner - it was an upscale fusion cuisine establishment in Manhattan's Upper East Side . " Your talent deserves a proper stage , " he told me , signing the lease without even looking at the numbers . Those early months of marriage were pure bliss . Every morning , Alex would kiss my forehead before leaving for work . Every evening , he'd come home with little surprises - flowers , my favorite chocolates from that boutique shop , sometimes just a coffee from the place we had our first real conversation . We'd cook together in our massive kitchen , dance to jazz music on our terrace overlooking Central Park , make love like we couldn't get enough of each other . The restaurant was thriving , and I finally felt like I was building something meaningful with my own hands . For a while , I thought this was all I'd ever need . But the problems started at our first major charity gala as a married couple . " Ella , I'd like you to meet Mrs. Eleanor Vanderbilt , " Alex said , guiding me toward an elegant woman in her seventies . " She chairs the Metropolitan Museum's board . " I immediately extended my hand with a bright smile . " It's so wonderful to meet you ! " Mrs. Vanderbilt barely glanced at my outstretched hand , giving me the coldest once - over I'd ever received . Her lips pursed as she looked me up and down . " Alexander , " she said , completely ignoring my presence , " perhaps you should consider enrolling your wife in finishing school . Basic etiquette seems to be ... lacking . " My face burned with embarrassment . I wanted to disappear into the marble floor of the ballroom . Later , Alex explained in the car ride home : " You wait for the elder to extend their hand first , sweetheart . And you should address her as ' Mrs. Vanderbilt , ' not jump straight into casual conversation . " " I was just being friendly , " I said quietly , staring out the window at the city lights . " I know , and I love that about you . But this world has rules . Unspoken ones that everyone expects you to know . " I nodded , trying to memorize every correction he offered . But there were so many rules . What to wear to which type of event , how to hold a champagne flute , which fork to use when , how to make small talk without actually saying anything meaningful . " Ella , when Mrs. Hamilton asks about your thoughts on contemporary art , you can't just say ' I don't really know much about that , " Alex said 9.80 % after our third social disaster in two weeks . We were in his study , the same room where he'd once looked at my recipe book with such tenderness . Now his voice carried an edge of frustration . " But I don't know much about it , " I protested . " Wouldn't it be worse to pretend ? " " You say something like ' I find myself drawn more to classical pieces ' or ' I'm still developing my appreciation for modern works . ' It shows thoughtfulness without admitting ignorance . " I stared at him , this man who used to love my honesty , who used to say my authenticity was refreshing . " When did being honest become wrong ? " I asked . Alex ran his hands through his hair - a gesture I used to find endearing but now seemed impatient. " It's not about right or wrong , Ella . It's about fitting in . These people ... they judge everything . Every word , every gesture . If you want to be accepted- " " What if I don't want to be accepted by people who judge me for being honest ? " The silence that followed was deafening . I began to notice how different I was from Alex's world . At dinner parties , they discussed market volatility , political strategies , art acquisitions . I contributed stories about restaurant management and cooking techniques , which earned polite smiles and quick subject changes . " Maybe we should hire an etiquette consultant , " Alex suggested one evening , and those words hit me like a physical blow . Just when I thought our marriage was crumbling beyond repair , I discovered I was pregnant . Staring at those two pink lines , I burst into tears - part fear , part joy , part overwhelming relief . Growing up in that chaotic house with my drug - addicted father , I'd always dreamed of creating the loving family I'd never had . A home filled with warmth instead of violence , laughter instead of screaming . Maybe this baby was God's way of giving me that chance . " Are you sure ? " Alex asked when I told him , and for the first time in weeks , his voice was purely gentle . When I nodded , he swept me into his arms , spinning me around our living room . " I'm sorry , " he whispered against my hair . " I've been such an ass . You're perfect just the way you are , Ella . I got caught up in all that bullshit , but none of it matters . This - us - our family . That's what matters . " During my pregnancy , Alex transformed back into the man I'd fallen in love with . He cooked my favorite meals when morning sickness hit , held my hair back when I was sick , came to every doctor's appointment , and spent hours talking to my growing belly . " I can't wait to meet you , little one , " he'd whisper to my stomach . " Your mama's the strongest woman I know . " Iris was born on a snowy February morning , perfect and beautiful and utterly mine . " She looks just like you , " Alex said , tears in his eyes as he held our daughter for the first time . But new parenthood brought new challenges . While I was recovering and bonding with Iris , Alex still had to attend business functions . In our social circle , men typically brought their wives to such events - it was expected . " I hate leaving you alone so soon after giving birth , " Alex said , adjusting his black - tie attire for yet another gala . " But this merger won't wait . " That's when Cathy stepped in . Chapter 13 " Let me help , " she offered during one of her visits to see the baby . Catherine " Cathy " Morrison had been married to Victor , Alex's best friend since college . Victor had died in a car accident two years prior , leaving Cathy alone with her four - year - old son Tyler . She was everything I wasn't - poised , educated at the finest schools , fluent in the language of high society . She knew which wine paired with which course , could discuss politics without controversy , and had the kind of effortless elegance that I'd been desperately trying to achieve . " It makes perfect sense . " Alex said when we discussed it . " She needs to get out more , and I need a suitable companion for these events . Plus , people will see it as me looking after Victor's family . There's no impropriety in it . " It did make sense . Cathy was a widow , I was a new mother , and Alex was honoring his friendship with Victor . What could be more respectable ? At first , everything seemed innocent enough . Cathy would stop by once or twice a week to see how I was adjusting to motherhood . She'd bring little gifts for Iris - designer baby clothes , organic toys , books on child development . " You're so natural at this , " she'd say , watching me nurse Iris . " I remember being terrified with Tyler . " She was wonderful company during those long days when Alex was at work . We'd talk about everything - books , current events , our hopes for our children . She never made me feel stupid or unsophisticated . But gradually , I began to notice small changes . Alex started coming home later from events , always with detailed explanations : " The Pemberton dinner ran long - you know how these old society types love to talk . " Or " Cathy thought we should stay for the after - party at the Whitney . Good for business connections . " He began referencing conversations they'd had : " Cathy mentioned this great pediatrician for Iris . " " Cathy thinks we should consider private school options early . " " Cathy suggested ... " I heard her name more and more frequently , woven into our daily life in ways that seemed natural but left me feeling uneasy . The first real warning sign came during Iris's six - month checkup . " Mrs. Winters , " Dr. Peterson said , " your daughter is developing beautifully , but I noticed she's been having some trouble sleeping through the night . It's normal , but there are some techniques that might help . " " Oh , Cathy already gave us some advice about that , " Alex interjected . " She's been incredibly helpful with Tyler . " Dr. Peterson looked confused . " Cathy ? " " A family friend , " I explained quickly . " She's been helping us navigate new parenthood. " But something about the doctor's expression bothered me . Later , I overheard Alex on the phone : " No , we can't do dinner tomorrow . Ella's been tired lately , and I want to stay home with her and Iris ... Of course I understand ... Yes , I miss our conversations too . " The intimacy in his tone made my stomach clench . This wasn't the polite gratitude you'd show a friend doing you a favor . This was something deeper . I started paying closer attention to their interactions . The way Cathy would straighten Alex's tie before events . How naturally Alex would help her with her coat . The inside jokes I wasn't part of . Most troubling of all , I noticed how Alex seemed more relaxed around Cathy than he'd been around me in months . With her , he didn't have to was his equal in every way that I apparently wasn't . worry about social missteps or embarrassing moments . Sh I realized I was living my past life all over again , just with different players . But this time , I wasn't going to wait for the inevitable betrayal . This time , I was going to be smart . Chapter 13 I began quietly leveraging Alex's connections for my own benefit . I expanded my restaurant into a small chain , connected with investors Alex had introduced me to at various events , and started building my own network . " I'm so proud of you , " Alex said one evening , looking over reports from my latest business ventures . " You've really found your stride . " He had no idea I was preparing for the day I might need to leave . To everyone else , I remained the devoted wife and mother . I attended the charity luncheons , played the part of the grateful small - town girl who'd married above her station . But underneath , I was building something that could sustain Iris and me independently . I learned to navigate their world , not to fit in , but to use it . Every conversation was an opportunity to gather information , every event a chance to make connections that might serve me later . Everything seemed manageable until that Tuesday afternoon when four - year - old Iris came home from Oak Lane Academy in tears . Chapter 14 Chapter 14 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!