Chapter 1
After the woman Adrian Cole had always loved pushed her out of a helicopter as it lifted off, Summer Bennett handed in her notice.
She remained the most dependable assistant in Cole Group's executive office.
But everyone noticed small changes.
She no longer carried Adrian's coffee into his office herself.
Lunch came from the company cafeteria instead of the private chef who had prepared his carefully balanced meals.
At business dinners, she stopped drinking on his behalf to protect his bad stomach.
Even when the pain nearly made him pass out, she simply called an ambulance and went back to work.
Before, she would have crouched beside him in a panic, rubbing his back and trying to ease his discomfort.
In the hospital, Adrian watched her deliver a perfectly businesslike update.
Her dated hairstyle, heavy black glasses, plain features, and dull complexion were exactly the same.
But when she looked at him, there was no warmth left in her eyes.
——————
After the woman Adrian Cole had always loved pushed her out of a helicopter as it lifted off, Summer Bennett handed in her notice.
She remained the most dependable assistant in Cole Group's executive office. But everyone noticed small changes.
She no longer carried Adrian's freshly brewed coffee into his office. His lunch came from the cafeteria now, not the private chef who had prepared his carefully balanced meals. At business dinners, she stopped offering to drink for him because of his stomach condition.
When the pain grew so bad he nearly passed out, she calmly called an ambulance and resumed her work. She didn't crouch beside him as she once had, anxiously rubbing his back and trying to make him comfortable.
At the hospital, Adrian watched her stand beside his bed and report on work.
She still wore her hair in that dowdy style, with thick black frames on her plain face. Her skin looked as dull as ever. Nothing about her appearance had changed.
Yet the affection in her eyes was gone.
For some reason, it irritated him.
“Are you still upset about what happened? Vivian did take things a little too far—”
“Too far? I didn't do anything wrong!”
Vivian Hart's indignant voice preceded her into the room. She went straight to Adrian's side.
“Your assistant is so ugly it hurts to look at her. That's why I pushed her! Adrian, I know you wanted to save yourself for me, but did you have to hire someone that unattractive? Doesn't looking at her all day bother you?”
“Enough. Don't be ridiculous.” His rebuke was unmistakably affectionate. Still, he glanced at Summer. “She's been spoiled since she was little. Don't take it personally…”
Summer tightened her grip on the documents. When she looked up, her expression remained composed.
“If there's nothing else, Mr. Cole, I'll get back to work.”
She turned away. Adrian hesitated, then started to call after her, but Vivian cut him off.
“Why are you looking at her? I swear, one more look and I'll need to wash my eyes out…”
Summer walked down the corridor, out of the hospital, and flagged a cab.
“Cole Group, please.”
She caught her reflection in the window and lifted a hand to her cheek.
No one knew that this unremarkable, almost ugly face was a disguise designed specifically for her. And no one knew she was the only daughter of the Bennetts, Boston's wealthiest family.
The family had a rule: after graduation, every child had to spend five years making a life independently.
When Summer had prepared to leave five years earlier, her family worried that her striking looks would make her a target. They had hired someone to create makeup that made her look utterly ordinary, even unattractive.
“Summer, being beautiful isn't always an advantage when you're out there alone,” her mother had told her earnestly. “Please protect yourself. I know you can prove what you're capable of without relying on your looks.”
And so the beautiful heiress had become a plain young woman looking for work.
At first, she was turned away again and again. However well she performed in interviews, the same appraising, dismissive looks followed.
“Ms. Bennett, an assistant represents the company. Your appearance isn't quite the image we're looking for.”
Then she applied to Cole Group. The highest score on the written assessment earned her a final interview with Adrian.
She braced herself for another contemptuous once-over. Instead, he regarded her with calm respect and gave her the job.
The runner-up objected. “Mr. Cole, we're applying to be executive assistants. The way she looks—”
Adrian silenced the applicant with a sharp look.
“I'm hiring an assistant, not a decoration. I care about competence.”
Summer's heart had missed a beat.
She worked tirelessly after joining the company, distinguishing herself from the other assistants until she became the person he relied on most.
Somewhere in those days spent together, she fell in love.
Then, at a reception, someone slipped something into Adrian's drink. Summer had drunk too much herself. Caught up in their impaired, confused desire, they ended up in bed together.
At the last moment, he unbuttoned his shirt and covered her face with it.
“Don't look at me. Don't speak.”
The words abruptly cleared her head. She pulled the shirt away and sat up, meeting his eyes.
“Is it my face? You can't stand looking at me?”
“No.” He looked dazed, desperate, and stubbornly intent on something she couldn't give him. “But you're not her…”
Her meant Vivian Hart.
On Summer's very first day at work, someone had told her about the woman Adrian had never gotten over, who was living abroad.
It hurt to hear it now. But seeing his distress, Summer caught him when he tried to pull away and reach for a knife to hurt himself.
The next morning, Adrian apologized seriously. Summer asked for a chance to stay with him.
Her eyes were red when she said, “If Vivian comes back and you still can't love me, I won't make you stay.”
He studied her for a long time before nodding.
For the next four years, she was his executive assistant during the day and his personal assistant at night.
She took care of every detail of his life. She protected him during a car accident and took a knife meant for him during an attack.
Gradually, his coldness softened.
Sometimes it was a cup of sweet herbal tea when she had cramps. Sometimes a gift from a business trip, a pastry, or the care he showed when she was sick.
A month ago, Vivian had returned to the country.
Not long afterward, Adrian arranged a helicopter to take Vivian shopping. Just before leaving, he unexpectedly told Summer to come along.
As Summer boarded, Vivian called her an ugly bitch and shoved her out while the helicopter was beginning to rise.
Lying on the ground with blood spreading beneath her, Summer saw Adrian's expression change. Then Vivian caught his arm.
“Why are you so worried? Is she someone important?”
He paused.
“No. Just an assistant. No one important.”
Summer watched his mouth form the words. Something in her gave way.
It was time for her to leave.
While she was in the hospital, the Coles and the Harts announced Adrian and Vivian's engagement.
The first thing Summer did after her discharge was submit her resignation. She had intended to tell Adrian in person, but Vivian called. He answered, absently clicked the approval button, and waved Summer quiet.
She swallowed what she had been about to say.
Fine. That would do.
Her notice period would end just as her five years away from home ended. She would return to her family and take her place as Summer Bennett, the heiress. Adrian Cole would have nothing to do with her anymore.
She returned to her desk. Two hours later, Adrian and Vivian came back to the company together.
Upon entering his office, he automatically glanced toward the coffee table.
Whenever his stomach acted up, Summer used to stop whatever she was doing to bring him a homemade meal gentle enough for him to eat. Today, nothing waited for him.
Irritation stirred. He looked through the glass at Summer working outside, then quickly looked away.
Vivian noticed. Her expression darkened.
An hour later, Adrian left for a meeting, and Vivian called Summer into his office.
