Chapter Thirty

Hunter’s POV

I watched Helena over my coffee as she scrolled through her phone for the third time in five minutes. She’d seemed tense the last few days. I’d asked what was wrong. She’d said nothing, but there was. I could feel it.

Had she picked up on something? She was only ever up this early if she had plans… gym, maybe. Though she wasn’t dressed for it.

“When do you leave for Chicago again?” she asked, not looking up.

“Wednesday morning. We will be back on Friday night.” I set my cup down. “Why?”

She shrugged. “Just planning my week.”

“Another charity event?” I couldn’t keep the edge from my voice. She’d been at a “fundraiser”, “committee meeting” or “gym” almost every night lately. Maybe because I was pulling back, so was she. But they needed to sort out whatever… this was because if Grace was pregnant, then they had a baby on the way.

Helena’s eyes flicked to mine sharply before softening into that sweet look she wore so well. “Among other things. The children’s hospital auction needs attention. Darling, you have been working hard as well. You know this means a lot to me. Helping sick children.”

I nodded, not bothering to press. What was the point? Ever since finding those pills, doubt had crept in like poison. I found myself watching her, listening for the gaps in her stories, the inconsistencies. I had sunk really low by checking her phone. Only to find nothing. I was looking for a hole, and I had to stop before I wrecked everything.

Grace walked in, already dressed for work in a blue blouse that made her eyes look darker. I caught myself staring and quickly looked away.

“Morning,” she said, quiet as always.

“Good morning, Gracie,” Helena replied with warmth.

Grace nodded, moving to make herself a cup of tea. I noticed she’d been avoiding my gaze. Had something happened? The thought of them together made something dark twist in my gut.

Was that why Grace didn’t want to see Max romantically anymore? Had he scared her? I knew about Max’s sexual preferences. He liked a little kink. But like myself, only if their partner was willing. Helena hadn’t been into it. Had Max pushed and Grace had pulled back… No, that couldn’t be right because she said they were going to be friends. I let out a breath in relief. If Max had scared her she wouldn’t want to have anything to do with him.

“The Chicago presentation is coming together,” Grace said, keeping her tone professional. “I’ve confirmed the travel arrangements. We leave Wednesday at 9.”

“Good,” I replied, trying to sound normal. “Forward me the itinerary.”

Helena shifted, a small movement I wouldn’t have noticed, but I had been watching her more closely. Helena had perked up at the mention of the business trip.

“It’s too bad you both have to be away,” she said lightly. “I’ll be so lonely in this big house.”

“I’m sure you’ll find ways to occupy yourself,” I said, unable to keep the edge from my voice.

Helena’s eyes narrowed briefly before she smiled. “Well, I should get going. Morning Pilates today… I’m trying something a little lighter than my normal routine.” She stood, kissing my cheek, her hand lingering on my shoulder for a moment. It almost felt like she was marking territory. “Don’t work too hard today, darling.” Then she was gone.

Grace moved quietly, making toast, keeping her distance. The silence between us was awkward now, strained with things we couldn’t say… No, let’s be real here. This wasn’t Grace, this was my problem.

She didn’t look at me. Just sat down and quietly began eating her toast.

“About Max,” I said suddenly, not sure why I was bringing it up.

She stiffened. “What about him?”

“You said you won’t be seeing him anymore.”

Grace turned, regarding me steadily. “Not romantically, no.”

I nodded, relief washing through me. “Why?”

Her eyebrows rose. “Why is that any of your business?”

I hesitated, realizing I didn’t have a right to ask. “I just mean... he didn’t do anything to… scare you, did he?”

“No… Max is a beautiful, lovely man. He has been nothing but nice and kind to me.” Her voice was quiet, but there was an edge to it I rarely heard.

I stood, suddenly hearing her talk about Max like that got to me. “We should go. Traffic will be bad.”

The drive to work was silent. Grace stared out the window, knees pulled together tightly, body angled away from me. I focused on the road, trying not to notice the way the morning light caught in her hair, or the faint scent of her perfume in the enclosed space.

What the fuck was happening to me? I’m turning into someone I don’t like. I have a wife. We could be having a baby together. I cannot be that guy. I won’t put a wrecking ball through my life.

That evening, when we got home, I poured myself a whiskey, carrying it to my study. Something about Helena had been nagging at me all day. The way she’d reacted to our Chicago trip, on top of everything else—how she’d been acting lately. Was she having second thoughts about the surrogacy or Grace moving in? I ran a hand through my hair in frustration. I wouldn’t know if she didn’t talk to me. So I hadn’t stayed at the office… coming home early with Grace instead.

I checked my watch. Almost six. I pulled out my phone, dialing Helena’s number. It went straight to voicemail.

“Hey, it’s me. Just checking when you’ll be home. Call me.”

I hung up, tapping the phone against my palm. That feeling was back—the one I’d been trying to ignore.

I opened my laptop, pulling up our shared calendar. Helena had marked tonight as “Hospital Committee Dinner - 6 PM - Peak Hotel.”

On impulse, I looked up the Peak Hotel number on my phone, my finger hovering over the call button before I dialed. Calling myself every name under the sun.

A cheerful receptionist answered. “Good evening, Peak Hotel.”

“Hi there,” I said, keeping my voice casual. “I was calling about tonight’s children’s hospital committee dinner? My wife is there and I need to talk to her.”

“Committee dinner?” The woman sounded confused. “I’m sorry, sir, but there’s no dinner planned for tonight. The next committee dinner booked is on Thursday.”