Billionaire, I Am Not Your Wife! novel Chapter 28

Chapter 26: Taking Catherine To The Ball

Logan’s POV

We made our way into the ballroom, and we were immediately surrounded by Chicago’s social elite. I recognized most of them, having worked with them before, fellow business associates, future potential clients, people that I needed to network with.

But without Sedona beside me, it all felt hollow somehow. Wrong.

“Logan! Good to see you.” Marcus Ashford, one of my biggest clients, appeared with his wife Amy beside her as they both beamed at me, as I saw the subtle frown on his face when he looked at Catherine before fixing it as he continued smoothly.

“And Catherine! How lovely. How’s the wrist?”

“Healing well, thank you,” Catherine replied graciously.

Marcus’s smile was pleasant, but I saw the way his eyes flicked between Catherine and me, calculating, assessing the situation. His curiosity won out over being polite as he asked. “Where’s that lovely wife of yours? I was hoping to see Sedona tonight.”

“She’s not feeling well,” I said smoothly. “Sends her regrets.”

“That’s a shame. Amy and I were just talking about her the other day.” He glanced at his wife, who nodded. “Remember that dinner we all had at Alinea last spring?”

“Of course,” Amy said. “Sedona was delightful. So funny and smart. We laughed all evening.”

I had no memory of this dinner, which probably meant I’d spent it talking business with Marcus while Sedona entertained his wife.

“There was this moment,” Marcus continued, and something in his tone made me pay attention. “We were talking about international travel, and someone mentioned the dangers of doing business in certain parts of Mexico especially people like us who are often kidnapped and ransomed for money. And Sedona-” He chuckled shaking his head. “Sedona said something that stuck with me since that night. She said, ‘If Logan ever got kidnapped in Mexico, I wouldn’t even wait for the ransom call. I’d just book the first flight there and find him myself.”

Amy laughed at the memory. “Everyone thought it was a joke, but the way she said it… you could tell she meant it. Like she’d actually do it, consequences be damned.”

“She’s very devoted to you,” Marcus said, his tone carefully neutral glancing at Catherine again. “I hope you know that.”

There was something in his expression-a gentle criticism, maybe, or a warning. I felt my defenses rising.

“Of course I know that.”

“Good. Good.” Marcus sipped his champagne backing down as he flashed a smile that showed he wasn’t looking for a fight. “Because between you and me, Logan, I’ve noticed you and Catherine spending quite a bit of time together lately. And while I’m sure it’s all perfectly innocent, you might want to be careful about appearances. People talk, and sometimes that talk can be… damaging. Especially in circles like this. It would be both damaging to your and Catherine reputation if someone was to start an unsavory rumor.”

The words were diplomatic, carefully phrased, but the message was clear: You’re making a fool of yourself, and you’re hurting your wife in the process.

“Catherine is a friend,” I said stiffly. “A friend who needed support during a difficult time with her injury.”

“Of course, of course. I’m not suggesting otherwise.” Marcus’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. “I’m just saying, be mindful. Sedona seems like the type of woman who wouldn’t say anything even if she was suffering. The quiet ones often are.”

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