Lacy was ecstatic when her father revealed Aaron had ended his engagement to his Bostonian fiancée. The fact that Aaron had also told his father he wouldn't accept an arranged marriage didn't register; she was too busy fantasizing about life as Mrs. Hale. She envisioned lavish parties, exquisite jewelry, and the ultimate social status as the wife of a leading businessman. This dream, nurtured since age thirteen, was finally within reach.

Around Aaron's usual arrival time, she staked out his building's parking garage. The doorman was thankfully unable to evict her. Spotting his black Mercedes with its custom license plate was easy.

After twenty minutes, her chance arrived. He pulled into a space, carrying a bouquet of baby pink roses.

A frown creased her face. Who were they for? He'd just broken off an engagement; he wasn't the type to buy flowers for himself.

Instead of confronting him, she followed, determined to identify the recipient. He entered the lobby, where she hid behind a pillar, out of the doorman's sight.

The lobby was nearly empty, allowing her to overhear his conversation with the concierge.

"Has my wife's package arrived yet?"

"Yes, Mr. Hale. I have it right here."

"Wife?!" Lacy thought. He'd barely ended his engagement!

Leaning forward, she tried to read the shipping label but it was too far. She took a photo with her phone, intending to enlarge it later.

Aaron reached the elevator, prompting her retreat before another eviction. She had some investigating to do.

On the ride home, she zoomed in on the photo. It was blurry, but she made out a capital "K" and what appeared to be several lowercase "e"s. Only one person fit that description in Aaron's circle: Keeley Hall. But Keeley Hall had been pregnant with another man's child—or so Graydon Meyer, who inexplicably seemed interested in Aaron, claimed.

"That liar!" she shrieked, startling the driver.

There was no boyfriend! Keeley had been with Aaron the whole time! But who, then, was Bethany Carlisle? An actress? Yet she clearly existed; Lacy had seen her, and Alistair had overheard her on the phone (or someone sounding like her).

Keeley Hall? Married! It was unbelievable. A man as prominent as Aaron Hale couldn't possibly have married without anyone noticing.

She recalled Graydon's words about Aaron trying to leave high society, claiming to be a simple man with simple needs. A fake fiancée to conceal a wife suddenly seemed plausible.

They were conspiring against her! How dare Graydon pretend to help her get together with Aaron when he had no such intention!

Lacy needed to eliminate Keeley. But there was a child to consider. It was likely born by now; the woman had been heavily pregnant the last time Lacy saw her. A son would jeopardize Lacy's position; Aaron would already have an heir.

Alistair clearly knew nothing, as her misinformation stemmed from him. Would he accept an outsider as his daughter-in-law simply because she bore a son?

She bit her lip, uncertain. The Hales were unpredictable. Alistair absolutely could not learn of this.

She wasn't sure whom she resented more: Aaron, Keeley, or Graydon. All had deceived her, treating her like a fool. Did they really think they could keep it from her forever?

No one thwarted Lacy Knighton. It was unfortunate that Max had been unresponsive lately when she sought his help regarding Aaron. She desperately needed his private security forces. How could she kidnap Keeley Hall and her child without them, especially given her inability to even enter the building?

She hadn't left her stakeout in months. If she hadn't seen Aaron that day, she'd still be in the dark.

It was unbelievable they'd been together all this time—at least since Cameron Singleton's wedding, if not earlier. Hadn't that woman learned her lesson in high school?

Aaron was unreasoning; she'd known that for a long time. He seemed under Keeley Hall's spell, unwilling to fulfill his societal duties until she was gone.

She needed to eliminate Keeley discreetly, but that required leaving the penthouse, guarded by that unpredictable doorman. Lacy needed a way to lure Keeley out.

What would tempt Keeley Hall outdoors? A family emergency? As far as Lacy knew, Keeley only had a father remaining. A crisis might drive her to him, but not necessarily with the baby.

That baby also needed to go, if it were a boy. A girl would likely be inconsequential to Alistair Hale. It was the unfortunate reality of high society; Lacy was an exception, her father being exceptionally devoted.

She had to think. Only after Keeley's removal would Aaron obey his father and marry her…