. I moved through the motions of my final handover, each task a step further away from the life I once kne

box awkwardly clutched in his arms. He looked... different. His u

ouldn't quite place in his tone. "I brought this for Leo. For his birthd

clearly a child's toy. A flicker of hope, so faint it was barely

it surprisingly light. I peeled back the wrapping paper. Inside, nestled in a bed of

old fury washed over me, so potent it almost made me drop the box

him with a deep, paralyzing fear of all dogs. He would scream and cry if he even saw one on TV. For months, I

ther, had just giv

the pit of my stomach. My face remained impassive. "It'

n his eyes. "Thoughtful? He loves do

depth of his ignorance, his complete detachment from his own chi

e's something else we need to discuss, Adriana." He shifted his weight, his gaze avoiding

ld. I knew wher

ed, my voice da

n his eyes. "And... well, it would be easiest for her to stay at the house.

into our home. Into the home where I had raised

ed and precise, "do you propose Leo and I go

'll cover the costs, of course. It's just a few weeks. It's for appearances, you understand. Kassidy is my publicist; it wouldn't

appearances.' For his carefully crafted lie. It was a cruelty

t of their home," I stated, the words tasti

e is a secret, remember? A private arrangement. Something you always insisted upon." He

e, to keep me hidden. And now he was using it against me. The mask of charm had finally shattered, revealing the ugly tr

I had loved, but a hollow shell of entitlement and deceit.

one by the end of the week." My words hung in the air, heavy wi

cence. He had expected a fight, tears, a

e. "I knew you'd understand. I'll make sure you're compens

pensate for seven years of my life, my talent, my heart, and my son's childhood, all s