Skip to content 
MY THREE-YEAR-OLD HOUSEKEEPER’S DAUGHTER STOPPED MY BILLIONAIRE WEDDING—THEN REVEALED THE SECRET MY BRIDE HAD BEEN HIDING
“Lily,” I said softly, “look at me.”
She clutched her stuffed rabbit tighter.
“Is someone hurting you?”
She shook her head.
“Then tell me why you don’t want me to marry Vanessa.”
Her eyes moved toward my bride.
Vanessa looked terrified.
Not embarrassed.
Terrified.
That distinction mattered.
Lily swallowed.
“She lies.”
A murmur traveled through the guests.
Vanessa immediately stepped forward.
“Ethan, she’s three. She doesn’t understand what she’s saying.”
I held up my hand.
“Don’t.”
Vanessa stopped.
I looked back at Lily.
“What did she lie about?”
Lily looked around the ballroom.
Then she whispered:
“Mommy said I wasn’t supposed to tell.”
My heart tightened.
“It’s okay.”
I held out my hand.
“You can tell me.”
She slowly placed her tiny fingers in mine.
“She has another man.”
The ballroom erupted into whispers.
Vanessa’s face went white.
I looked at her.
She shook her head violently.
“No.”
I stood.
“Who is he?”
Lily looked toward the entrance.
“Christian.”
The name hit me like a punch.
Because I knew that name.
Christian Vale had been one of Vanessa’s former business associates.
At least, that’s what she had told me.
A consultant.
A harmless friend.
Someone who had supposedly helped Vanessa manage a small investment portfolio before we met.
I had never thought twice about him.
Until now.
I looked toward Maria.
She stood near the back of the ballroom, crying.
I walked toward her.
“Maria.”
She covered her mouth.
“I’m sorry.”