Chapter 2: The Watch That Should Have Belonged to His Mother
I knew the watch was authentic before I was close enough to read the brand.
The white ceramic band.
The distinctive silver dial.
The tiny sapphire set into the crown.
There were only ten watches in that limited edition, and I had spent nearly an hour researching them after Daniel's mother mentioned how much she admired one.
His mother, Margaret Mercer, had never been a woman who demanded expensive gifts.
She wore the same pearl earrings to nearly every family dinner and preferred handwritten cards to elaborate celebrations.
But when we visited a boutique together the previous month, she had stopped in front of the display case.
She hadn't asked to try the watch on.
She had simply smiled.
"Isn't that beautiful, Natalie?""
I remembered the way she studied the delicate craftsmanship.
"It's lovely," I had answered.
"Of course, it's probably far too extravagant for me.""
She had laughed and moved on.
But I had remembered.
That evening, I mentioned the watch to Daniel while we were having dinner.
"Your mother really liked that limited-edition model," I told him.
He glanced up from his phone.
"The white one?""
"Yes. I thought we could get it for her birthday.""
Daniel smiled.
"That's a good idea. I'll take care of it.""
I trusted him to do exactly that.
A week later, he told me the watch had arrived.
"Mom loved it," he said casually while loosening his tie.
I smiled.
"Did she?""
"She was thrilled.""
I had felt pleased with myself for remembering something that mattered to her.
I hadn't asked to see a photograph.
I hadn't checked the receipt.
Why would I?
Daniel was my husband.
We had been married for ten years.
We had built a life together, shared financial responsibilities, attended family gatherings, and made countless decisions that required mutual trust.
If he told me his mother loved a gift, I believed him.
Until that Monday morning.
Until I saw Paige Hollis standing on the executive floor with the very watch I had helped choose for Margaret.
For several seconds, I simply stared.
The watch seemed impossibly bright against Paige's cream-colored sleeve.
She noticed my attention immediately.
Her fingers curled around her wrist.
"What are you looking at?""
I lifted my gaze to her face.
"Your watch.""
She glanced down as though she had forgotten she was wearing it.
Then she smiled.
"You like it?""
"It's a beautiful piece.""
"I know.""
She held her arm out slightly, letting the light catch the dial.
"Very exclusive. You can't just walk into a store and buy one.""
I felt something tighten in my chest.
"Where did you get it?""
Paige's expression changed.
It was subtle, but I saw it.
A tiny pause.
A brief flicker in her eyes.
Then she tilted her head.
"Why?""
"I'm curious.""
"Curiosity can be a dangerous habit around here.""
She said it lightly, but her eyes were cold.
I looked at the watch again.
"Did someone give it to you?""
Paige laughed.
"That's a rather personal question for someone who doesn't even know the company's rules.""
"I thought you were responsible for inspecting employees.""
"I am.""
"Then I suppose personal questions are part of your inspection.""
Her smile disappeared.
For the first time since we had met, she looked genuinely uncertain.
Only for a moment.
Then she stepped closer.
"Listen carefully," she said quietly.
"I don't know who you think you are, but you should understand something about this building.""
I remained silent.
"Daniel trusts me.""
She let the words settle between us.
"He relies on me more than anyone else in this company. I manage his schedule, protect his time, screen his visitors, and make sure people like you don't waste his attention.""
People like you.
I glanced at my stained dress.
"That must be a demanding job.""
"You have no idea.""
She smoothed her sleeve, deliberately displaying the watch again.
"Daniel appreciates people who are loyal to him.""
I looked directly into her eyes.
"And what does loyalty mean to you?""
She smiled.
"Knowing who matters.""
A cold feeling settled in my stomach.
I had expected arrogance.
I had expected an employee who had grown accustomed to power and forgotten where it came from.
I had not expected her to speak about my husband as though she had a claim on him.
"You're very close to Daniel," I said.
Paige's smile widened.
"Closer than most people realize.""
There it was.
Not a direct confession.
Not proof of anything.
Just a carefully delivered suggestion, designed to make me wonder how much she knew and how little I did.
I had spent years in business negotiations.
I knew when someone was choosing words to communicate more than they were willing to say outright.
Paige wanted me unsettled.
She wanted me to understand that she believed herself untouchable.
And she wanted me to know that Daniel was the reason.
I took a slow breath.
"Does Daniel know you're wearing that watch?""
Her expression hardened.
"Why wouldn't he?""
"Perhaps because I thought it was a gift for his mother.""
Silence.
For the first time, Paige's face lost its practiced composure.
It lasted less than a second.
Then she laughed loudly enough for two employees nearby to look up.
"His mother?""
She shook her head.
"Oh, that's precious.""
I didn't move.
Paige leaned toward me.
"Let me make something clear. If you're trying to get close to Daniel, you're wasting your time.""
"I'm not trying to get close to Daniel.""
"Of course you are.""
She looked me over again.
"The plain dress. The little handbag. The innocent act. You probably think pretending to be modest will make you interesting.""
I almost smiled.
If only she knew.
"Daniel has enough people trying to get his attention," she continued.
"He doesn't need another one.""
I studied her face.
"Is that why you poured your drink on me?""
Her eyes flashed.
"Don't be dramatic. It was an accident.""
"Then why did you call me a custodian?""
"Because you look like one.""
"And why did you say you needed to inspect me?""
"Because I can.""
She delivered the final words with the confidence of someone reciting a rule she had never been challenged to defend.
Nearby, an older employee approached us carrying a folder.
He slowed when he saw my dress.
Then his eyes moved to Paige.
"Ms. Hollis," he began cautiously, "the ten o'clock briefing materials are ready.""
"Put them on Daniel's desk.""
"Of course.""
He hesitated.
His gaze flickered toward me.
"Would you like me to get someone to help with—"
"She can manage herself," Paige interrupted.
The man immediately lowered his eyes.
"Yes, Ms. Hollis.""
He walked away.
I watched him go.
Then I turned back to Paige.
"Do people always do what you tell them?""
She crossed her arms.
"The smart ones do.""
"And the others?""
Her smile returned.
"They learn.""
For the first time, I understood why the employees on the floor had avoided looking at her.
It wasn't simple dislike.
It was fear.
Paige had somehow convinced an entire department that challenging her was more dangerous than tolerating her behavior.
And if Daniel truly knew what was happening, that said something about him, too.
I wanted to believe there was another explanation.
Perhaps he had no idea how she treated people.
Perhaps she exaggerated her authority.
Perhaps the watch had an innocent explanation.
But every new answer created another question.
I checked the time on the clock above the conference room doors.
Daniel's meeting was scheduled to end at ten.
It was nine fifty-eight.
Paige noticed me looking.
"Waiting for someone?""
"Yes.""
"Daniel?""
I didn't answer.
She laughed softly.
"Sweetheart, if you're planning to complain to him, don't bother.""
The endearment sounded deliberately cruel.
"He hates unnecessary drama, and he certainly doesn't have time for people who can't follow basic instructions.""
I looked at her.
"Then I hope you haven't created any unnecessary drama today.""
Her smile tightened.
Before she could respond, the conference room doors opened.
Several executives emerged, discussing a quarterly operations report.
And then Daniel stepped into the corridor.
My husband.
The man who had kissed my forehead before leaving for work that morning.
The man who had told me to enjoy my first day.
The man who had promised his mother that her birthday gift was already taken care of.
He was wearing a charcoal suit and a silver tie.
His expression was serious until Paige saw him.
Then everything changed.
She brightened instantly.
"Daniel, sweetheart!""
She hurried toward him.
I watched her approach with the white watch flashing beneath the lights.
Daniel smiled at her.
Not the polite smile he gave colleagues.
Not the reserved expression he wore during meetings.
It was familiar.
Comfortable.
Intimate enough to make the employees nearby suddenly find reasons to look elsewhere.
Paige touched his arm.
And Daniel leaned toward her.
"What's the matter?"" he asked softly.
She lowered her voice.
But not before I heard the words that made my stomach turn.
"Someone's been very rude to me.""
Daniel's expression changed.
"Who?""
Paige turned.
Her finger pointed directly at me.
"Her.""
For a brief moment, Daniel looked confused.
Then he saw my dress.
His gaze moved to my face.
Recognition flashed across his eyes.
And finally, his attention dropped to Paige's wrist.
The white watch.
The one he had told me his mother loved.
His face went pale.
Only slightly.
Only long enough for me to notice.
But it was enough.
May you like
Because suddenly, I wasn't wondering whether Paige had been lying to me.
I was wondering how much my husband already knew.
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