I wore an emerald-green gown with an elegant open back and a beautifully tailored waist. When Josie saw me, she gasped. “Mommy, you’re a princess!” I laughed and kissed her forehead. For the first time in years, I looked in the mirror without wondering whether Grant would approve.
The ballroom was magnificent. Crystal chandeliers glittered overhead, waiters carried silver trays of champagne, and a string quartet played near the entrance. Julian introduced me to several people interested in supporting charitable programs, then excused himself to fetch us drinks.
I was admiring a display of photographs when a familiar voice spoke behind me.
“Well, look who it is.”
I turned. Grant. He stood a few feet away in an expensive charcoal suit, a cocktail in his hand. For a moment he simply stared. Then the old arrogant smile appeared.
“Natalie? Wow. I almost didn’t recognize you.”
“Hello, Grant.”
His eyes moved over my dress. “You look incredible. Guess you finally got yourself back into shape.”
I forced a polite smile. “I’m doing well, thank you.”
He chuckled. “Come on. That was a compliment.”
I didn’t respond. He glanced around the ballroom. “So what brings you here? Someone invite you?”
“I’m here representing Fresh Start.”
He raised his eyebrows. “Right. That little charity project you started.”
I chose not to correct him. He straightened his jacket. “Well, I’m here for business. My company’s pursuing a major investment partnership, and the founder of Hartley Capital is supposed to be here tonight.”
“Sounds important.”
“You have no idea. If I can make the right impression, I could finally land that senior executive position I’ve been working toward.” He took another sip, then looked at me more closely. “So, are you seeing anyone?”
“Yes.”
His smile faltered. “Seriously? Anyone I know?”
Before I could answer, I noticed Julian approaching with two glasses of sparkling water. Grant followed my gaze. The instant he saw Julian, his expression changed. His back straightened and his eyes widened. But he quickly arranged his face into a professional smile.
Julian stepped up beside me and handed me a glass. “Sorry I took so long, sweetheart.” He slipped an arm around my waist and kissed my temple. Then he looked at Grant. “Good evening.”
Grant went completely still. “Mr. Hartley?”
Julian nodded politely. “Yes?”
I glanced between them. Grant’s face had turned pale.
“Julian Hartley?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. “The founder of Hartley Capital?”
“Yes.”
Grant looked from Julian to me, then back again. “You two… know each other?”
Julian smiled and gently took my hand. “Natalie is my partner.”
Grant’s eyes dropped to our intertwined fingers. For several seconds he didn’t move. Then the cocktail glass slipped from his hand and shattered on the marble floor. Nearby guests turned. Grant barely noticed.
“No,” he muttered. “This can’t be happening.”
I frowned. “Grant, are you okay?”
He stared at me in disbelief. Then his face turned crimson.
“HOW DARE YOU?!”
The people nearest us fell silent. Julian’s expression hardened. “Excuse me?”
Grant pointed at me. “You knew! You knew I was trying to do business with his company!”
I stared at him. “You told me about your proposal five minutes ago, Grant. Julian and I have been together for over a year. Do you seriously think I planned my entire relationship around your career?”
“Don’t play innocent!”
Several guests were openly watching now. “You did this to humiliate me!”
I shook my head. “Grant, we’ve been divorced for three years. My life has nothing to do with you.”
He scoffed. “Right. You just happened to end up dating one of the wealthiest men in the city?”
Julian stepped forward slightly. “Grant, I suggest you lower your voice.”
But Grant wasn’t finished. “You don’t understand what she was like when we were married!”
A familiar knot tightened in my stomach. Julian stayed calm. “What exactly do you mean?”
Grant hesitated. “Things were difficult. She stopped taking care of herself. Our marriage fell apart.”
I looked straight at him. “Tell him when that happened, Grant.”
His jaw tightened. “Natalie, don’t.”
“Tell him how old Josie was when you left.”
He said nothing.
“She was two weeks old,” I went on. “You walked out because you said my body disgusted you after childbirth.”
A woman nearby gasped softly. Grant looked furious. “Why would you bring up something so private here?”
“Because you started accusing me in front of everyone.”
Julian squeezed my hand. “Grant, your marriage ended long before Natalie and I met. You have no right to speak to her this way.”
Grant glanced around the room and finally seemed to grasp how many people were watching. His expression shifted from anger to embarrassment.
“Look, Mr. Hartley,” he said quickly, adjusting his jacket. “I apologize for the misunderstanding. Perhaps we could discuss my company’s investment proposal somewhere private?”
Julian’s face stayed neutral. “Our investment team handles those decisions. Your company will receive a response through the proper channels.”
Grant swallowed. “But surely we could arrange a brief meeting…”
“Not tonight.”
The finality in Julian’s voice left no room for argument.
Just then a woman wearing an event organizer’s badge approached. “Ms. Hayes?”
“Yes?”
“The Community Impact Award presentation is about to begin. Since Fresh Start is one of our finalists, we’d like you near the stage.”
“Of course.”
Grant blinked. “Wait. Finalist?”
The organizer smiled. “Yes. Ms. Hayes founded an organization that has helped dozens of women rebuild their careers. Her program has been nominated for one of our most prestigious awards.”
