Diana’s POV

My phone slipped from my fingers.It hit the wooden floor with a sharp crack, but I barely heard it.

Every television in the restaurant was showing the same breaking news. “Rising politician Nathaniel Carrington accused of hiding secret marriage and child.”My heart stopped.

On the television was a smiling woman standing beside a little girl not older than six.“I’m Victoria Carrington,” she said to the cameras. “Nathaniel is my husband … and this is our daughter.”

I turned slowly toward the man sitting across me.The man I had married two months ago.

“Nathaniel …” My voice barely came out as a whisper. “Tell me this isn’t true.” He looked at the screen.

Then look at me. His silence said a lot.

Everything I thought I knew about my husband shattered.

Three Months Earlier

The sound of my heels echoed through the headquarters of Lockwood Enterprises as I walked toward the boardroom.

Conversations stopped the moment I entered. Every eyes looked towards me. Some greeted with respect. Other still questioned whether I deserved to sit at the head of the table or not.

I had grown used to both. “Good morning, everyone,” I said confidently as I placed my laptop on the polished oak table. “Morning, Miss Lockwood,” several directors replied.

I smiled politely before having my seat. At twenty-eight years old, I was the acting CEO of the Lockwood Enterprises, one of North London’s fastest growing property business.

People assumed my father had handed me everything because I was his daughter. They never saw the years of studying. The sleepless nights.

The sacrifices. My surname might have opened doors.

My work kept them open. “Let’s begin.”

In the next ninety minutes, financial reports replaced emotions. Investment proposals.

Construction contracts. Future expansion across Greater London. Every question asked was replied with an answer before anyone else could respond. At the end of the meeting, even the directors who usually challenged me had fallen silent. Mr Hayes smiled as he gathered his papers.

“Excellent work, Diana. The board couldn’t have asked for a better performance.” “Thank you.”

After everyone left, I leaned back on my chair and released a long breath. Leading a company looked effortless from the outside.

It wasn’t. Every single day felt like another opportunity to prove I deserved my position. My phone buzzed. A smile spread on my face before I even unlocked it.

Nathaniel. Dinner tonight? Seven? I laughed quietly before replying. Only if you’re paying. His response appeared seconds later.

Always. Somehow, even after the most exhausting day, he would make me smile.

Maybe I have finally found the one thing success can never buy. “Dad?”

I found my father standing beside the windows looking at London’s skyline. Charles Lockwood had spent decades building one of Britain’s most successful properties. Even after stepping back from the company, his presence still earned respect.

He turned with a soft smile. “How did the meeting go?”

“Better than expected.” “I knew it would.”

He poured two cups of coffee before handing over mine to me. “I heard the board clapping.”

“They finally listened.” “They have always been listening.”

He smiled proudly. “Exactly.” His words meant more than he realised.

Growing up as a billionaire’s daughter wasn’t as impressive as people imagined. Everyone expected perfection. Failure wasn’t an option. “You look tired,” Dad observed.

“I have been busy.” “You have been working so much.”

“I enjoy it.” “I know.”

He watched me quietly before asking,

“And Nathaniel?”

A smile found Its way on my face. “We are having dinner tonight.”

His expression softened. “He makes you happy.”

“He does.” “I’m glad.” There was a pause.

Then he said quietly, “Just remember that love should never require secrets.”

I frowned. “What do you mean?”

He shrugged. “Nothing. Just an old man’s advice”

I laughed. “You worry too much.”

“It’s a father’s job.” By the time I arrived home, Isabella was already in the kitchen stealing biscuits from the tin our housekeeper had hidden. She smiled.

“You survived another board meeting?” “Barely.” “You say that every week.” “Because it’s true.”

She offered me a biscuit. “So….”

I narrowed my eyes. “So?”

“When are you finally admitting you are inlove with Nathaniel?”

I rolled my eyes.

“I never denied it.” Her mouth opened dramatically.

“Did my sister just confess something?” “Don’t make it a big deal.”

“It’s absolutely a big deal.” She sat next to me. “I like him.”

“So do I.” “He looks at you differently.”

I smiled without meaning to. “He does.”

“For the first time in years,” Isabella continued softly, “you don’t look lonely anymore.” Her words stayed with me.

She was right. For years, my life had revolved around meetings, contracts and deadlines.

Now… There is someone waiting for me at the end of every day.

Someone who makes everything else seem less important. That evening I arrived outside our favourite restaurant in North London. Nathaniel was already waiting.

Tall. Elegant. Confident. His navy overcoat moved silently in the evening wind.

The moment he saw me, his serious expression melted into a smile. “There you are.”

“I thought politicians enjoyed making people wait.” He laughed.

“I’ve been here for fifteen minutes.”

“Liar.” “I have witnesses.”

I smile as he gently took my hand. “I’ve missed you.”

“We saw each other yesterday.” “It felt longer.” He laughed again.

“You’ve become dramatic.” “I’m dating a politician. I have to compete.”

Inside the restaurant glowed with warm lights. Soft jazz floated through the room while couples laughed over candlelit dinners.

Nathaniel pulled out my chair before sitting opposite me. “You’ve had a difficult day,” he said.

“How do you know?” “You only twist your necklace when you’re stressed.”

I looked down. I hadn’t even realised I was doing it.

“You notice everything.” “I notice you.” Heat rushed to my cheeks.

“That’s unfair.” “Why?”

“You always know the right things to say.” “Only because I mean it.”

Dinner passed easily. We spoke about work. Politics. Our families. Nathaniel described the campaign he hoped to launch before the next election.

“I want to leave something behind,” he said. “I don’t want people to remember my name because of my family.”

I smiled. “I understand that.”

“You do?” “I’ve spent my whole life trying to prove I’m more than Charles Lockwood’s daughter.” He reached across the table and took my hand.

“I’ve never looked at you in that way.” “No?”

“No.” “What do you see?”

He smiled softly. “A woman who built her own success.”

For a moment, neither of us spoke. Then he squeezed my hand gently.

“Diana.” “Yes?” “I think meeting you changed my life.”

My heart skipped. “You sound very certain.” “I am.” “You’ve only known me for eight months.”

“I don’t need longer.” After dinner we walked along the Thames.

The rain had stopped only minutes earlier, leaving the streets shining underneath the city lights. London looked beautiful.

Nathaniel stopped near a bridge overlooking the river.

“Can I ask you something?” “Of course.”

“Where do you see yourself in five years?” I smiled.

“Still running Lockwood Enterprises.” “I expected that.” “And hopefully….”

I hesitated. “What?”

“A family.” His eyes softened.

“I would like that too.” Silence settled comfortably between us.

Then he stepped closer. “So much of my life has been about responsibility.”

“Mine too.” “But lately I have realised success means nothing if there’s no one to share it with.”

I looked into his brown eyes. “Diana….” “Yes?”

“I love you.” Everything around us disappeared.

The traffic, The city, The noise. Only him remained.

Tears filled my eyes before I could stop them. “I love you too.”

He smiled before gently kissing me beneath the London lights.

For the first time in my life…. Everything felt perfect.

I truly believed I had found the man I would spend the rest of my life with.

I had no idea that somewhere in London...

A woman named Victoria Carrington was preparing to destroy everything we had built.

And when her secret finally reached the world… Love would no longer be enough.