Chapter 5

Regina lounged on the edge of the massive pool, her legs dipped lazily into the sparkling blue water. The pool was a marvel—ornate marble tiles, towering palm trees, and the sun glinting off the surface. A carved fountain bubbled gently at one end, its centerpiece a gilded mermaid pouring water from an oversized shell.

Dressed in a sleek white one-piece swimsuit with a plunging neckline, she sipped champagne from a crystal glass. Her Chanel sunglasses shielded her eyes as she tilted her head back, letting the sunlight warm her skin.

The sound of footsteps broke her momentary peace.

"Regina!"

Without turning, she sighed dramatically. "Oh, wonderful. Here comes the fun police."

Daniel stood beside her, his dark hair slightly tousled and a towel slung over his shoulder. His usual air of calmness was disrupted, his annoyance evident in the crease between his brows. "What the hell are you doing out here?"

She barely glanced at him. "Drinking champagne. What does it look like?"

"You're parading around for every paparazzi with a lens. Do you want them splashing your face across tabloids tomorrow morning?"

Regina lowered her glass, her lips curling into a slow smirk. "And what if I do? Better headlines for your empire, right?"

He ran a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply. "You're unbelievable."

"And you're suffocating," she shot back. "Why don't you go micromanage something else?"

He ignored her jab, instead pulling out his phone and glancing at the time. "I have a party to attend tonight."

Her eyebrow arched. "And why is this my problem?"

"Because," he said through gritted teeth, "we're married, Regina. The media is watching. If I show up without you, they'll assume there's trouble in paradise."

She snorted. "They wouldn't be wrong."

"Stop being difficult." He leveled her with a hard look. "It's hosted by one of my business partners—a construction tycoon I've been courting for months. This is my shot to gain his trust, and I need you there. Can you manage to act like my supportive wife for one night?"

She sipped her champagne. "Do I have a choice?"

"Not really." He gestured toward the resort. "Do you even have anything appropriate to wear?"

"I'm an heiress, Daniel. I think I know how to dress for a party."

He smirked, his tone cool. "Just in case, I had an entire wardrobe of Prada dresses, Dior, and Bulgari jewelry delivered to our suite. You can thank me later."

She laughed, "You must be very desperate if you're trying to bribe me with couture."

"Be ready by six," he said, turning to leave. "I don't like to be late."

*****

The ballroom was packed with people, the air heavy with the scent of expensive cologne and champagne. Gold chandeliers hung from the ceiling, their light reflecting off the walls, and a jazz band played softly in the corner.

Daniel's gaze flicked over her, lingering a second too long on the curve of her figure. "You couldn't pick something less… dramatic?"

Regina's long, sequined red gown shimmered, the thigh-high slit revealing just enough leg to make an impression. Her diamond earrings sparkled like fire, and her lips were painted a deep crimson.

She smirked, brushing past him. "I thought you wanted me to make an impression."

He followed her through the crowd, muttering, "You certainly accomplished that."

As they mingled, Daniel's eyes scanned the room for his business target. "There he is," he murmured, nodding toward a man near the bar. "Stay close."

"Of course," Regina said sweetly. "Wouldn't want to ruin your big moment."

They approached the man, and Daniel made the necessary introductions, pulling Regina closer as he spoke. "This is my wife, Regina."

The man smiled politely, but Regina barely registered the conversation. Daniel's arm slid around her waist, and she felt his lips brush against her temple. Her response was swift—a subtle pinch to his side that made him pull back with a barely concealed smirk.

"Excuse me," she said, slipping away. "I need a drink."

At the bar, she was swirling her glass of champagne when a voice from behind made her pause.

"Regina."

She turned, her heart sinking. "Ethan."

Ethan Hart stood before her, tall and devastatingly familiar. His dark blond hair was slightly tousled, and his piercing blue eyes was soft. Regina groaned.

The worst place to meet an ex.

"Congratulations," he said, his tone cold. "So this is why you broke up with me? A billionaire husband and a honeymoon on what? A private island?"

Her lips tightened. "What are you doing here?"

"I am working too," he said, his smile bitter. "Small world, huh?"

Regina sipped her drink, trying to maintain her composure. "I don't owe you an explanation, Ethan."

He leaned closer, his voice dropping. "Maybe not. But I still deserve the truth. Why did you leave me, Regina? Was it really about the money?"

"It's not about money," she said sharply.

"Then what? Because I know you don't love him," Ethan pressed. "I can see it in your eyes."

"Don't," she warned. "This isn't the time or place."

Ethan sighed, stepping back. "I miss you."

Regina's throat tightened. "I'm sorry, Ethan. But it's over."

"What is over? We were together for almost two years and suddenly you marry a man and I'm not allowed to ask questions?"

"We were in a relationship. My father or my mother never approved of you and we would have never reached the altar. So stop asking me questions." Regina responded.

"Oh, you want to turn this into your mummy issues when we both know that's not the case here, Regina."

"I'm done here." Regina muttered as she set her glass down.

She turned to leave, but Ethan grabbed her arm, pulling her into a hug. She froze, the scent of his cologne painfully familiar.

"What's going on here?"

Daniel's voice cut through the moment like a blade.

Ethan released her, raising his hands in surrender. "Relax, We were just talking."

Daniel's eyes darkened as he stepped between them. "Stay away from my wife."

"She was my girlfriend and I just wanted to…"

"Was. So you should know better rather than touching her. I don't care who you are but you should never touch my wife. Not now. Not ever. Do you understand me?"

Without another word, Daniel grabbed Regina's hand and led her out of the room. They didn't stop until they reached a small storage closet down the hall.

"Get in," he said, opening the door.

She glared at him. "Are you serious?"

"Inside. Now."

Once inside, he shut the door and turned to her, his voice low. "What the hell were you thinking?"

"What are you talking about?" she shot back.

"Him! Hugging you like that!" Daniel's voice rose slightly before he caught himself. "Do you have any idea how bad that looked?"

"Bad for who? You?" Regina snapped. "You're paranoid, Daniel."

He stepped closer, his eyes narrowing. "Do you know how this reflects on both of us? I'm out there trying to secure a deal, and you're off rekindling old flames."

"I wasn't rekindling anything," she said, her voice shaking.

"Don't lie to me," he bit out, his hand suddenly reaching for her neck. His fingers brushed against her skin, his touch gentle as he tilted her head. "Did he hurt you?"

Regina blinked, startled. "What?"

"I'm asking if he hurt you," Daniel said, his voice softening.

"No," she answered.

He let out a breath, his fingers lingering on her neck before he stepped back. "Good."

Bending down, he gestured for her to sit on the small bench in the corner. Before she could argue, he crouched in front of her, his hands moving to her heels.

"What are you doing?"

"Your feet must be killing you," he muttered, unbuckling her stilettos.

She watched, stunned, as he slipped them off and replaced them with a pair of flats he pulled from behind his back. His fingers brushed against her ankle, and she shivered involuntarily.

"There," he said, standing. "Better?"

Regina stared at him, unsure how to respond. For once, he wasn't scowling or snapping at her but his touch had been unexpectedly tender.

"I don't need you to take care of me," she said finally.

"Too bad," he replied. "I wasn't."

And with that, he opened the door and walked out, leaving her alone in the tiny room with her heart pounding and her thoughts in chaos.