The CEO's Unwanted Bride

3 A.M. and Honesty

Chapter 4 —

She found him in the kitchen at three in the morning.

Mia had given up on sleep an hour ago — too many thoughts, too much stillness — and had come down for water. She hadn't expected to find Ethan Cole sitting at the kitchen island in sweatpants and a worn grey t-shirt, staring into a mug of coffee like it held the answers to something.

They looked at each other.

This version of him was new. Softer at the edges. More human.

"Can't sleep?" she asked.

"I don't sleep much," he said. A pause. "You?"

"New house. New life. New husband." She opened the refrigerator. "Take your pick."

She poured herself a glass of water and leaned against the counter across from him. The kitchen felt smaller at this hour. Quieter. Like the rules between them didn't quite apply in the dark.

"Tell me something true," she said suddenly.

He looked up. "What?"

"We spend all day pretending. In front of your staff, at galas, even at dinner." She met his eyes. "Tell me something true. Right now. No performance."

A long silence. She thought he would dismiss her. Put the mask back on and send her to bed with something polite and distant.

Instead, he wrapped both hands around his mug and said: "I didn't want this marriage."

"Neither did I."

"But I don't—" He stopped. Started again. "I don't regret that it's you."

The words landed softly. She felt them settle somewhere in her chest.

"That might be the nicest thing you've said to me," she said quietly.

"Don't get used to it."

But the corner of his mouth moved. And this time, it was a real smile — small, reluctant, and completely unguarded.

She smiled back before she could stop herself.

Later, walking back to her room, Mia pressed her hand flat against her sternum and told herself that the warmth she felt was just the water.

S

he almost believed it.