Chapter 3

I waited until they were done talking before I stepped out to retrieve my phone.

Ethan glanced at me. “What do you do at night?”

I tried to keep my voice steady. “I host audio livestreams for a small studio. Usually from ten at night until three in the morning.”

He studied me for a couple of seconds.

I’d barely spoken the night before, and when I did, I’d kept my voice low. He didn’t connect me with the woman he’d been with in the dark.

“Audio livestreams?”

“Yeah. I just talk. I don’t show my face.”

“Does it pay well?”

“It’s enough to cover my expenses.”

Ethan didn’t press. “If Olivia wants you to stay, make yourself at home. Ask the housekeeper if you need anything.”

“Thank you, Mr. Pierce.”

He nodded and looked back at his phone.

From beginning to end, he was polite and distant.

After breakfast, Ethan left for work. The moment his car pulled out of the driveway, the smile vanished from Olivia’s face.

She grabbed my wrist and dragged me into a room. Once the door was shut, she glared at me.

“Who told you to talk to him?”

I stared at her. “He asked me a question.”

Olivia jabbed a finger against my forehead.

“You could’ve nodded. You could’ve shaken your head. Why did you have to speak?”

“Didn’t I tell you to keep quiet around Ethan? You wanted him to hear your voice, didn’t you? You wanted him to notice you?”

“I didn’t.”

“You’d better not.” Olivia let go and lowered her voice.

“Lily Bennett, I let you stay here to have my baby, not to seduce my fiancé. The surgery money for your dad—and anything else you get from me—depends on my mood.”

She patted my cheek.

“If you start getting ideas, I can cut you off whenever I want. Then what happens to your father is none of my problem.”

Wasn’t he her father, too? She didn’t care.

My nails dug into my palms as I forced myself to stay calm. “I answered him so he’d know I go out to work at night.”

Olivia frowned. “What does that mean?”

“If he knows I leave at night for work, he won’t suspect I’m taking your place.”

She stared at me for a long moment. At last, her expression softened.

“Good thinking.” She straightened her sleeve, slipping back into the polished, elegant woman she showed everyone else.

“Remember your place. Don’t cross the line.”

I nodded. “I know.”