SWNOVELS Chapter 1
Love’s Fortune: A Billionaire Romance
CHAPTER ONE–THE AFFAIR IS REVEALED
Jane Delacommed soily to sell as she meticulously arranged the picnic basker, ensuring each of Ethan’s favorite foods was neatly packed and perfectly placed
in a cloth napkin, inhaling the buttery aroma. Perhaps this surprise would reignite the spark that had been
A sinileged at her lips as she carefully wrapped the still–warm Tading in their marriage lately.
Her mind drifted to the pious night’s argument over whose turn it was to do the dishes. Jasmine had been exhausted after a demanding artists.
a long day at the gallery, dealing with fussy clients and
Was it too much to ask for Ethan to handle the household choces for once? Hut he had been engrossed in his latest actual designs, always putting his work before erything else in seemed.
Such patty disagreements had become all too frequent lately, a stark contrast to the early days of the elationship when every moment gerelt etterless and filled with She reminisced about the fast time they met – at amutual friend’s housewarming party over the years agn
Ethan had been leaning against the kitchen counter, using a beer, looking entirely out of place among the poly crowd at the moment theli eyes met, something sparked between them. By the end of the night, they had huddled in a corner for hours, talking and laughing like old friends, entirely oblivious to the party raging around them.
Ethan had walked her home after midnight, and they lingered awkwardly on her doorstep, neither wanting that connection to end. When he finally leaned in and kissed her, it felt like the most natural thing in the work
Dating Ethan was a whirlwind of somantic gestures and passionate nights discovering every inch of each other’s bodies and soul
He had opened her eyes to a whole new would of art and desigs that she hadn’t truly appreciated before. And she helped him embrace his spontaneous, adventurous side a meticulously structured work life.
Their wedding day was straight out of a fairytale an intimate outdoor ceremony on the date where Ethan’s family had deep roots.
hide of his
As they exchanged vows framed by the setting sun over the rolling hills, asinine kew she had found her soulmate to build a life with. The first few years of marriage were pure bliss. But gradually, the passion began to cool, seemingly extinguished by the ralines of work stress,ances, and the routines of daily life
Somewhere along the way, they had lost that effortless connection, allowing resentments to fester unspoken between them.
Shaking her head, Jasmine dispelled the negative thoughts. Today would be different. She had put extra care into selecting her suttit – a flowy yellow sundress that Erhan always complimented, paired with the delicate pendant necklace he had gifted her on their first anniversary in Florence
The memories of that magical trip still filled her with warmth and longing for the intimacy they once shared
With the carefully prepared basket in hand, she made her way to Graystone Design, the prestigious architectural firm town where Ethan worked
The sleak, ultra–modern building’s angled glass facade and large windorseded an alt of sophistication that simultaneously impressed and intimitated her slightly.
But she squared her shoulders and encased though the revolving doors, determined to surprise her husband with this thoughtful gesture in the hopes it would remind them both of the profound love that had brought them together.
“Good morning, Mrs. Delacroix,” the smiling young receptionist greeted warmly as jasmine approached the curved front desk.
Kayla aluraya reminded Jasmine of a chipper sorority sister with her bobbly personality and conventional good looks. ““Morning, Rapla How are you today?”
“Wonderful, thanks for asking Kayla chirped “What brings you to the office? Here to whisk your hubby away for a comantic rendero he winked conspiratorially.
Jasmine couldn’t help but chutide at the term “rendervous” – it sounded so sordid and thrilling, mot at all like the simple picnic she had planned “Something like that. Is Ethan free fee lunch? I thought I’d surprise him.”
Kayla’s eyes lit up with delight. “Oh, how romantic! I’m sure he’ll be thrilled–Ethan ever stops singing your praises, you know. Let me just check his sched
Her perfectly manicured fingers danced across the keyboard before she nodded. “He’s got a nice longwindew free until two o’clock Goon up–II let him know you’re coming ” “Thank you, Kayla.” Jasmine felt her cheeks thash slightly at Kayla’s comment about Ethan. Did he really speak that highly of her stil A spark of hope flickered in her chest.
As the made her way to the elevator bank, Jasmine studied her reflection in the polished marble wal
She looked perfectly put together, but she couldn’t quite mask the pang of nervousness growing at her.
What if Ethan was too swamped with work to properly appreciate her efforts? Or worse, what if this disrupted his intense focus and he viewed it as an unwelcome intrusion rather th romantic gesture!
she brushed the thoughts aside as the elevator doors opened with a mated chime. This would be exactly what they needed to rekindle their fading connection. To mind them of everything that had initially drawn them together and why they belonged as soulmates.
The ride up to the 11th floor seemed to take an eternity. Jasmine clasped the handle of the woven picnic basket tightly, the patterns pressing into her palm. When the doors finally slid open, she stepped out into the hushed hallway, following the dictolesto ihan’s office.
with each step toward the frosted glass door bearing his name, her heart pounded more insistently in hover
She paused outside briefly, taking a steadying breath as the mentally prepared what she would say when he opened the door. Straightening het shoulders, she lifted her free hand and rapped lightly on the glass
Jasmine poised her hand to knock, but the muffled voices from within over her pause. Was that? Heresband’s cooler and supposed “riend” from the office? Jasmine’s bow furised as she rained to make out the hushed coversation
can’t go on the this, Lila feel so trapped Ethan’s dejected tone sent a pang through asinine’s heart.
Lila’s volto was gentle, soothing “I know, sweetheart You’ve been unhappy for a while now.”
“Unhappy don’t even begin to cover it. Teget so much “Ethan sighed heavily. “I never should have proposed to Jasmine. Our whole marriage was a mistake”
The pirnir basket slipped froin Jamine’s numb grasp, contents scattering across the tile floor with a clatter. But she barely registered the sounds the roaring in her exis Het painful adultion from the man she brand more than lide itself, felt like a physical blow.